
How to Install Roll Roofing Instructions
- Measure the length and width of the roof surface. ...
- Unroll the roofing material on the ground to relax some of the curl out of it.
- Thoroughly clean dirt from the roof with a broom. ...
- Use roofing cement to adhere the roof drip edge to bottom edge of roof deck.
- Measure 35 inches up from the bottom edge. ...
- Step 1: Prepare the Roof. In preparation for installing the roofing material, you first want to clean the roof. ...
- Step 2: Apply Roofing Cement to the Edges. ...
- Step 3: Attach the Base Sheet. ...
- Step 4: Attach the Second Sheet. ...
- Step 5: Seal the Vents. ...
- Step 6: Overlap the Valleys.
How much does it cost to install roll roofing?
The total cost of rolled roofing installation (materials and labor) might be $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot (or $1,500 to $3,000). Removing and disposing of the existing roof, if recommended by the contractor and not included in the initial estimate, could add $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot to the total rolled roofing cost.
How do you install a roll roof?
Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Add Rolled Roofing
- Measure your roof to find out how much material you need. [1] ... ...
- Purchase the appropriate amount of rolled roofing. Go to your local hardware or building supplies store and ask for enough rolled roofing to fit the area of your roof.
- Take proper safety precautions when you're on your roof. ...
- Clean the roof before starting the roofing. ...
How to install roll roofing on low slope roofs?
Typical Roll Roofing Installation Steps & Specifications
- Roof Slope: 2/12 or more. ...
- Roll roofing condition: The roll roofing should be clean and dry when it's installed. ...
- Roofing deck: should be clean, dry, and free of voids. ...
- Roofing underlayment: install the manufacturer's recommended underlayment on the roof deck before bringing up and installing the roof covering itself. ...
How do you install asphalt rolled roofing?
Plan the Roll Roofing Job
- Inspect the condition of the existing roof and roof decking
- Plan and schedule any demolition, removal of materials that must precede the new roof installation
- Have roof protection tarps or other materials if the roof might be left open and incomplete across inclement weather

What do you put under roll roofing?
Roll roofing is often installed over bare wood sheathing or sheathing that has been painted with a primer. Applying roofing felt first will better protect the sheathing against condensation, as well as against leaking. If the roof is sloped, you can use the exposed-nail method.
How do you nail down rolled roofing?
Do you nail down roll roofing? Nails are typically used to secure this type of roof. You can nail the separate layers by hammering the nails in 10-inch intervals across the roof. After that, you'll want to use cement to cover them and seal them in place.
Is roll roofing good for a flat roof?
Pros of Rolled Roofing Hammered-down rolled roofing should not be used on flat roofs, though, as this will lead to leaks. Rolled roofing goes down quickly. Unlike shingles, which apply one by one, you can roll out a square of mineral surface rolled roof within minutes. Rolled roofing is easy to transport.
How do you install roll roofing on a low pitch roof?
How to Install Roll Roofing on Low Slope RoofsAttach drip edge along the edge of the roof with roofing cement. ... Clean the roof with a broom to remove any debris. ... Measure and cut a piece of roll roofing the length of any valleys on the roof. ... Add a second piece of full-width roll roofing over the first.More items...
What is the minimum pitch for roll roofing?
As a primary roof covering, roll roofing is used on slopes down to one inch per foot. If the exposed nail method of application is used the minimum required slope is two inches per foot.
How long do rolled roofs last?
5 to 10 yearsAsphalt Roll Roof Average Lifespan It is easy to install, making it a popular option for DIYers and for small areas like sheds and garages. However, asphalt roll isn't the best choice for most homes due to its very short lifespan. The average lifespan of asphalt roll roofing is only 5 to 10 years.
Do you nail down roll roofing?
The first layer should cover the length of your roof, as far up as the chalk line. Push the rolled roofing firmly into the wet cement to secure it. Once the layer is secured by the cement, it's time to hammer nails into the layer to secure it further. Use 1 inch galvanized roofing nails and a strong hammer.
Is roll roofing waterproof?
Waterproofing: Rolled roofs can easily provide protection from water for up to 10 years.
How do you do a flat roof step by step?
Complete Flat Roof InstallationFrame the roof, nail long wedges to the joists.Add a layer of 5/8-inch plywood sheathing.Cut out your underlayment and fasten it to the plywood sheathing.Screw a 2x4s into the joint connecting the roof and the wall.Lay down your membrane and glue it to the roof.More items...•
What type of roofing is best for a low pitch roof?
Rubber roofs are a top choice for flat or low pitched roofing as it adheres to the roofing materials below it and, when installed correctly, provides a watertight seal to the elements.
How do you install rolled roofing over existing roofing?
Before you begin, thoroughly clean the existing roof, removing any debris like leaves or sticks. Then, install a layer of roofing felt to provide a sturdy base for the new roll roofing. Once this has been done, the roll roofing can be installed in the same manner as if it were over bare roof sheathing.
Is roll roofing cheaper than shingles?
Roll roofing is cheaper than shingles. Since roll roofing is also easier to install, the total labor costs that roof contractors charge will likely be less than for installing asphalt shingles.
Do you need adhesive for rolled roofing?
You will need to apply roofing cement at different points of the project. Roofing cement has adhesive properties that help things stick together, which is why it's commonly used in roll roofing and for other roof materials. To start off, add roofing cement to the edges before you attach the first sheet.
Should roofing nails go through the sheathing?
Roofing nails shall be of sufficient length to penetrate through the existing covering and into the sheathing a minimum of 3/4 inch or through 1/2 inch plywood.
What happens if you nail shingles too high?
The other extreme is high nailing, or what can be called as “under-driven” nails. In this case, the pneumatic gun may not have enough pressure to drive the nail in, resulting in protruding nails. This results in loose shingles that can be pried off during a storm. It can also damage the shingle.
How do you install rolled roofing over existing roofing?
Before you begin, thoroughly clean the existing roof, removing any debris like leaves or sticks. Then, install a layer of roofing felt to provide a sturdy base for the new roll roofing. Once this has been done, the roll roofing can be installed in the same manner as if it were over bare roof sheathing.
What is rolled roofing?
Rolled roofing is a thin, cheaper, and less durable surface roofing material. It comes as a roll, installation is easy, and you can do it yourself. There are limited materials for a rolled roofing, and the most common one is the shingles-made-as-one-piece type.
What color is rolled roof?
Rolled roofs are available in very few colors, and the standard one is black. This will be a significant disadvantage if you want a color that matches your structure because it is almost impossible to paint the roof.
Why is rolled roofing less attractive?
For that reason, some homeowners’ associations have rules that discourage people from using rolled roofing as a roof ing material.
What is the cheapest roofing material?
Rolled roofing is the cheapest roofing material, and its installation cost is almost free. Owners of the sheds and shops who want to install the roof prefer to DIY. The nails are also cheap, and the top can last for some time before it expires.
Why do you need to use roofing cement?
Use roofing cement to cover the nails so that they are secure. It also reduces the chances of leakages and ensures the roof’s durability.
What to do before leaving the top of a roof?
Before leaving the top, ensure you sweep off any extra cement and small pieces of the rolled roofing. After everything is well put in place, relax and enjoy your new roof.
How long does a roof last?
This roof is less durable because it can stay for only five to eight years, compared to shingles that can last for over 20 years. One of the reasons that contribute to this is the inability to contract and expand with weather changes.
Where is the roll laid?
The roll is unwound and laid on the site of the future installation.
What type of insulation is used for flat roofs?
For the thermal insulation of flat roofs mineral wool and extruded polystyrene plates are used. The insulation material is laid in two layers to cover the possible “cold bridges”. By the way, the joints between the insulation boards must be placed alternate. Insulating panels can be glued to the base or can be fixed by means of special anchors.
What is steam insulation film?
steam insulation film to protect the insulation from wet fumes coming from the premises;
How high should vapor barrier be?
Laying vapor barrier materials. They must be laid with an overlap of 4-6 inches. All the joints are glued with a construction tape. Vapor plant material on all vertical elements have to be to such a height that they should end up above the future location of the insulation material.
How long does bitumen roll last?
Modern technologies have significantly improve the performance of bitumen roll materials to extend their service life of up to 15-25 years and made them more universal. Modern roofing materials of this type have a solid foundation, a complex structure, high ductility and resistance to frost and can be attached to the base in different ways. Rolled roofing materials differ according to their base material, binder material and a fraction of spreading. If you are wonder how to install roll roofing, the following information may be useful for you.
What is canvas roll back?
The canvas is rolled up into a roll back to the point of attachment.
How many layers are there on a roof?
4 layers – if the roof is flat and the slope is 0-5%.
What is roll roofing?
For a utilitarian solution when appearance isn't as important, consider roll roofing, which is made of materials similar to composition shingles but generally not as durable.
How many inches does a sheet of roofing overlap?
The next sheet overlaps the first by 4 inches or with some types of roll roofing, enough to cover the area that is bare of mineral surfacing. Snap a chalkline indicating the top of the next sheet, roll it out along the line, and drive nails as for the first sheet.
Can you use exposed nails on a flat roof?
If the roof is sloped, you can use the exposed-nail method. For a slightly sloped roof, use the concealed-nail method shown. For a flat or nearly flat roof, use double coverage, although a torch-down modified bitumen or EPDM roof is a better solution.
Can you use metal valley flashing on a roof?
Install drip-edge flashings, roofing felt, and WSU, if needed. You can install metal valley flashing, but it is common to simply apply an 18-inch-wide strip of roll roofing instead. Set it in a bed of roofing cement, smooth out any creases, and drive nails near the edges.
Does roll roofing last longer?
If you install roll roofing using the double-coverage method, it will last longer. Roll roofing is often installed over bare wood sheathing or sheathing that has been painted with a primer. Applying roofing felt first will better protect the sheathing against condensation, as well as against leaking.
How wide is a roll roof?
The width of the rolled roofing can vary from 36 to 39 inches (9 1.4 to 99.1 cm) depending on your supplier. Just adjust the above dimensions up 3 inches (7.2 cm) for the chalk line.
What is the pitch of rolled roofing?
Rolled roofing is not recommended for roofs that have a greater than a 2 to 12 pitch. That is, if your roof is 12 units wide it should not be taller than 2 units for rolled roofing.
How far should the first layer of a roof cover the roof?
The first layer should cover the roof as far as the chalk line.
How to measure a roof section?
If your roof is not uniform and has different sections of different sizes, measure 1 section at a time. Multiply each length and width to find the area of each section.
How to measure a roof?
Use a long measuring tape. If your roof is rectangular or square on either side, it's easy to work out the measurements. Measure the length and width and multiply them to find the area of the roof. If your roof is not uniform and has different sections of different sizes, measure 1 section at a time.
Where to read instructions on roofing cement?
Read the instructions on the side of the roofing cement container before you begin.
Who owns Bumble Roofing?
This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California.
