Sheds are probably the most likely outbuilding you are to see on a property. They have a variety of uses. However, since they are outside the house, waterproofing them is vital, and that means that your roof choice is important. But while many newer alternatives have become available – polycarbonate sheeting, corrugated sheeting, and EPDM rubber – none of them trump good old shed felt for sheer practicality.
Shed felt is made using a bituminous layer for waterproofing and a secondary fibrous layer to provide structure and strength. Whereas in the past this might have been an organic option, nowadays it tends to be a tough synthetic material like polyester. The updated materials let an old solution remain relevant in the modern day.
Durability
Shed Felt is hard-wearing. While it’s not quite as durable as say, polycarbonate sheeting, it is not fragile like EPDM and bituminous corrugated sheeting. Not only is it rugged, it also can’t be scratched easily like polycarbonate. This means you won’t need to worry about treating it with kid gloves.
Aesthetic Value
While a shed is a very utilitarian structure, there’s no reason it can’t also be aesthetically pleasing. Shed felt comes in colours that are bold and reassuring but not garish. Whereas a shed with a corrugated metal roof might appear harsh and intimidating, a shed felt roof looks nostalgic and inviting. If you’re willing to go to the effort of installing the strips, you can even get a lovely tiled appearance with shed felt shingles.
Low Cost
Shed felt is as affordable and cheerful as they come. Very few alternatives beat it for price. In terms of how expensive it is to how long it lasts before needing replacement (often as long as ten years) it’s no wonder it’s as popular as it is.
Ease of installation
Shed felt doesn’t need glazing bars or complex tools to install. Just a hammer, a utility knife, and some clout nails. If you really want to get fancy you might use adhesive if you live in a windy area. That’s much simpler than having to drill many holes for screws for sheeting, or use an electric saw to cut up polycarbonate. Even relatively inexperienced DIYers can put up a shed felt with a little elbow grease if they follow instructions.
Simple to repair
This is where shed felt really pulls ahead of comparable materials. Repairing sheeting is difficult, whereas shed felt can be patched easily. All you have to do is cut out a section of damaged felt and patch it with some new felt. Shed felt is durable, so you shouldn’t be repairing it all the time, but when the worst thing happens you can deal with it easily.
If a sheet is completely damaged, as we previously mentioned, it’s cheap and easy to install so you can get it up and running in no time without hitting the pocketbook too harshly.
Of course, there may be situations where you decide to go with another material because of unusual or particular circumstances. However, when it comes to an all-terrain shed roofing solution, shed felt simply cannot be beat.
