How to Felt a Flat Roof in Reading

If you're a homeowner or a DIY enthusiast, knowing how to felt a flat roof can provide you with various benefits, such as saving money from hiring professional roofers and enhancing your roofing skills. Felt roofing systems are famous in Reading, Berkshire, and other areas in South East England because it's long-lasting, adaptable, and cost-effective.

In this guide, we'll provide you with an overview of felt roofing, including its advantages and disadvantages, and how to felt a flat roof like a professional. With our tips, you'll be able to accomplish the task in no time!

About A1 Roofing Reading

Before we delve into the details of how to felt a flat roof in Reading, let us introduce A1 Roofing Reading, a premier roofing company that offers top-notch roofing solutions to homeowners and commercial clients in Reading and Berkshire.

Our team of expert roofers has years of experience in providing installation, repair, and maintenance services for various roofing systems like felt, asphalt, and GRP. We understand the importance of having a durable roofing system to protect your property, and thus, we provide high-quality roofing services that suit your specific requirements and budget.

If you need assistance with your roofing project, you can reach us at 0118 449 2361, and we'll be more than happy to discuss your needs and provide you with a free quotation. You can also send us an email at [email protected], or visit our website at a1-roofing-reading.co.uk to learn more about our services.

What is Felt Roofing?

Felt roofing is a type of roofing system that uses a bituminous felt material applied in layers to create a watertight finish. This roofing system is commonly used for flat roofs in residential and commercial properties because it's easy to install, repair, and maintain.

Felt roofing comes in two varieties: traditional felt roofing and modern torch-on felt roofing. Traditional felt roofing uses hot bitumen and felt layers, which are bonded together to create a waterproof layer. On the other hand, torch-on felt roofing uses a specially designed felt material with an adhesive backing, which when heated with a blow torch, bonds securely to create a watertight seal.

Advantages of Felt Roofing

Felt roofing has various advantages that make it a popular roofing system in Reading and other areas in South East England. These advantages include:

Affordability

One of the main advantages of felt roofing is its affordability. Compared to other roofing systems like asphalt and metal roofing, felt roofing is relatively cheaper, which makes it an excellent option for homeowners and commercial property owners who want a cost-effective roofing solution.

Adaptability

Felt roofing is adaptable to various property types, including flat roofs and sheds. It's also suitable for both commercial and residential properties, making it a flexible option for property owners in Reading and other areas in South East England.

Easy Installation

Felt roofing is easy to install, even for DIY enthusiasts. With the right tools and materials, you can install a felt roofing system in no time, saving you money from hiring professional roofers.

Easy Maintenance

Felt roofing is easy to maintain, and repairing it is relatively simple. Even if you encounter damages or leaks, you can easily repair them with patching materials and adhesives.

Disadvantages of Felt Roofing

While felt roofing has several advantages, it also has a few disadvantages that you should know before deciding to use this roofing system for your property in Reading or Berkshire. These disadvantages include:

Prone to Damage

Felt roofing is prone to damages, especially during severe weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, and hail. It's also susceptible to damage from animal infestations, which can cause cracks and leaks.

Shorter Lifespan

Compared to other roofing systems like asphalt and metal roofing, felt roofing has a shorter lifespan and may require frequent maintenance and repairs.

How to Felt a Flat Roof

Now that you have an idea of what felt roofing is and its advantages and disadvantages let's move onto the main event: how to felt a flat roof.

We'll provide you with an overview of the steps needed to felt a flat roof like a pro, and although the process may seem daunting, you can accomplish it with patience and preparation.

What You'll Need

Before you start felting your flat roof, make sure you have the following materials and tools:

• Felt roofing material
• Adhesive
• Nails
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• Spirit level
• Protective gear (gloves, goggles, and a mask)

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to felt your flat roof:

Step 1 - Prepare the Deck

The first step is to prepare the deck by removing any debris, dirt, or dust. Ensure that the surface is completely clean, smooth, and dry, and use a spirit level to ensure that there are no dips or bumps. If you encounter any damages, like cracks or holes, repair them before proceeding.

Step 2 - Install the First Layer

Cut the felt material to the required size and lay it over the deck, ensuring that it covers the entire surface of the flat roof. Secure the felt material using nails, and ensure that the edges overlap with the sides of the roof.

Step 3 - Install the Second Layer

Install the second layer of felt material over the first layer, ensuring that there's an overlap of at least 100mm. Secure the second layer using adhesive, and ensure that it's levelled and taut.

Step 4 - Install Subsequent Layers

Repeat the process of installing layers until you achieve the desired thickness. Make sure that each layer overlaps the previous layer to create a watertight seal.

Step 5 - Finish the Roof

After installing the last layer, finish the roof by applying adhesive on the edges of the felt material, ensuring that it's securely fastened to the sides of the flat roof. Ensure that there are no wrinkles or folds in the felt material.

Conclusion

Felt roofing is an excellent option for homeowners and commercial property owners in Reading and Berkshire who want a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and adaptable roofing system with a relatively shorter lifespan compared to other roofing systems. However, felt roofing is prone to damages and may require frequent maintenance and repairs.

With our step-by-step guide on how to felt a flat roof, you can accomplish the task like a professional and benefit from a long-lasting, watertight roofing system. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to contact A1 Roofing Reading for assistance, and we'll be more than happy to help you.