This article would address a common question: are felt roofs any good? In the previous article, we explored the pro’s and con’s of EPDM Roofs – which is a type of flat roofing membrane that is more commonly used in low-slope buildings. Felt roofs, on the other hand, is also a popular choice and can mostly be found in shed and garage roofs. It is important to understand its use cases to determine if it’s the right one for you or not.
How are Felt Roofs Installed?
Previously, hot bitumen was used to install felt roofs. This process was time-consuming and wasn’t really an effective way of installing as it didn’t last particularly long. The alternative and more modern technique of installing a felt roof is to use a torch-on felt. This is applied in sheets using a blow torch to make one side sticky and layer it on. There are many key benefits of torch-felt roofing compared to the traditional method. They are easy to apply, more durable, lightweight and inexpensive too. As such has become a popular choice among many homeowners.
Benefits of Installing Felt Roofs
- Flexible: Felts are very versatile and can fit into most roofing structures regardless of its size and shape. You could also source them in various colours that matches your environment.
- Lightweight: The felt membranes are lightweight and can easily fit into a range of roofing structures from smaller, weaker ones such as garages and sheds right through to more robust buildings.
- Inexpensive: Compared to other roofing membranes such as asphalt, rubber, fibreglass and PVC, felt roofs are cheaper to install, maintain and also repair should they get damaged.
- Easily repairable: If your felt roof should get damaged, it can be repaired or patched quite easily and cheaply.
Drawbacks of Felt Roofing
- Maintenance: One of the drawbacks of felt roofing is that requires constant maintenance. Else, it could lead to splitting, UV damage and cracking. It is therefore important that you seek professional help from certified roofers to continuously maintain your felt roof.
- Weather damage: Felts are comparatively more prone to damages caused by extreme weather conditions. For instance, it can also warp out in hot temperatures and brittle during winter.
- Repaired felts look untidy: Though damages of felts are easily repairable, if not done right, the patches can look shabby and unneat. This could however be handled well by professional roofers who have experience in patching them up without affecting the look of it.
Conclusion: Are Felt Roofs Any Good?
Overall, felt roofing can be a good option for flat roofed buildings in a range of sectors including residential and commercial roofing projects. It is waterproof, weatherproof and very cheap to install, replace as well as repair. We also explored the different methods of installing a felt. Depending on your use case, the choice between them can vary. For more information having a felt roof installed, get in touch with our roofing experts LD Roofing! Your needs can be fully assessed and if felt roofing is an appropriate option, you can talk through the process and decide whether it’s right one for you.
