If you’re taking on a new roofing project, then you can’t forget to add roofing felt to your building materials supply list. Professional builders, contractors, and roofers know how essential quality roofing felt can be to the finished project, but not all DIYers are fully aware that it’s more than just having the tools. What exactly is roofing felt? It’s a protective layer that goes in between the roof deck and the roofing shingles. Many also refer to this building material as roofing tar paper or roofing felt underlayment. Once you find out more about the benefits of using roofing felt, you won’t be forgetting it on your next roofing project.
Protection Against Water Damage
Foremost, roofing felt adds an extra layer of protection to your roof from water. This building material is manufactured and treated with a water-repellent finish. Sometimes, rain or snow can seep underneath your shingles. With this material there, your roof deck and rafters underneath won’t be at risk of water damage, rot, or mold. In cold climates, snow or ice dams can build up on the roof. When the weather warms and it melts, the felt paper helps drain the water away instead of having it leak into your home interior.
Uniform, High-Quality Finish
Aside from the protective work that roofing felt puts in, it also serves another purpose. Roofing experts have found that installing shingles onto roofing felt yields a more flat, uniform finish. This is because laying down the felt paper can hide the unevenness of wood decking that doesn’t always line up perfectly. Overall, the quality of the new roofing looks far better than shingles installed directly onto the roof deck.
Trust Your Building Materials Dealer
There are two standard weights for roofing felt, with the thicker of the two being used in more heavy-duty projects. You can talk to your local building materials dealer to determine which type is right for your project and figure out how much you’ll need for the job. The felt paper is sold in rolls, but you should always account for purchasing a bit more than you may need.
Depend on Leland Fisher Lumber For Your Lumber and Hardware Needs!
Leland Fisher Lumber is a full-service lumber and hardware supplier. We’ve serviced homeowners and professional contractors in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Frederick County since 1894! Whether you want to remodel your home or upgrade your business, we have the professionalism and expertise to make any architectural vision come to life.
Be sure to visit Fisher Lumber’s Designer Showroom featuring displays of Andersen Windows, Therma-Tru entry doors, Simpson and Masonite exterior doors, as well as a wide selection of interior doors featuring Simpson, Masonite, Lemieux and JELD-WEN. Our knowledgeable experts are ready to assist you! Contact us at 301-424-6500 and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.