Shingle / Roof felt

[RAZR63]

Hi All,

What's the best way (+ products to use) to attach shingle/roof felt to chipboard?

[RAZR63]

Anyone had this done and can suggest fixings?

[Keithcaley]

Well, seeing as no one else is answering...

I've seen roofers using 'roofing nails' - these are short galvanised nails with a large diameter head.

I hope that you will not take offence at the following: -

I'm not so sure that you should be attempting this if you really don't have any idea of what to use - if you don't do it properly, and water gets in, it will ruin the roof itself (chipboard), the wooden or metal supports, - and possibly anything stored underneath.

Either get a good DIY book, or do some research on DIY websites online, or better still, get a Roofer to do the job - it could be money well spent!

Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do...

[brian24001]

Assuming you mean the (usually red) 3mm roof felt used on most sheds etc here, get someone who knows what they are doing with a propane torch and melt it on, guaranteed never to lift, and a better seal, and no nail holes, and the overlaps are melted together too.

If you really want it to last forever, coat the wood underneath with thin layer of black brush on bitumen first, available in the bigger Yapis, like Gepaz.

[greengate]

if you are using either the shingles or felt, onto chipboard, you should also lay a thin polythene insulation between the wood & the shingle, this is to stop water getting between the wood/shingle.

Shingles come with a pre-bitumened strip which seals with the insulation/next layer, as you lay it (providing you do it in warm weather).

The roofing nails mentioned by Kieth are normally used for top/edges (to hold the initial row of shingles). They can be used elsewhere on vulnerable corners /edges to stop them being lifted by the wind, but make sure you cover them with the next layer of shingle or treat them to stop any leaks. (i used a small amount of bitumen when i banged and exposed nails in)

I have covered two areas with shingle and so far no leaks.
Hope this helps
GG

[waddo]

For what its worth - I have "shingled" one large roof, it was my first attempt at using shingles and I did not know that you could peal off the thin plastic that covers the sticky edging strip till I was half way done, however I did use loads of short roofing nails and it was the middle of summer with temps on the roof top around 50c the roof tiles stuck themselves not only together but also to the roofing boards - never had a leak through it nor any lifted tiles in the last 6 years!

Next big roof I did with a roll of heavy roofing felt, went for the heaviest I could find, did not use a torch on it, did strip off the plastic, again I used the short roofing nails. Never a leak nor a lift on that one either and that has been up for nearly three years now.

So if you want to give it a go, have a try, you never know if you can do it till you try it anyway. Points of great interest here:

Remember when you are wandering around on your roof that it has edges - don't fall off them!!!

Roofing felt on a roll is very heavy to lift up there and to work with when you get it on the roof.

Roofing tiles are easy to work with but much more expensive.

[RAZR63]

thanks everyone for all your advice - taken on onboard and yes I will watch out for the edges! I bought the tiles on a strip with the thin plastic cover.

Keith your advice is always valued, I'm not a novice DIYer and just wanted to know if there was a different way they fixed it here because of the extremes...

Ready to get started....

Cheers

[Keithcaley]

...I'm not a novice DIYer and just wanted to know if there was a different way they fixed it here because of the extremes...

Well, I must say that I now know considerably more about the subject than I did before (which was practically nothing!) - so we're all in a better position

[gates]

If you are going to the extant of roofing this way think first and do the daft things later
The only way to do a good roof is to make sure first your timbers are securely fixed to the wall if not with the winds we get now will rip it all off and cause more damage
Also you have to think of the area you are covering if you do not torch on it will be less lightly to last more than one season
There are some new materials out now that would be more appropriate and last a lot longer
If you want we could give you a price that would carry a guarantee and last a lot longer http://www.braceybuilders.com

[Keithcaley]

Good solid advice Kirk, but I think that you're too late

He's probably well stuck in to the job by now...

If he takes heed of everything that's been said, and doesn't fall off the roof, he might even be OK!