
Felt paper #30 refers to heavy asphalt typically used in gentler slopes. It’s called #30 because #30 felt paper weighed 30 pounds back in the day. 30-pound roofing felt is typically used in asphalt roofing projects where (1) the roof slope is less than 3:12 and (2) the asphalt shingles are heavier than 240 pounds per square foot.
What weight roofing felt is best?
Weight of Roofing Materials
- Asphalt roll roofing (1.1 lbm/ft2, 5.4 kg/m2)
- Asphalt shingle or asphalt-fiberglass composite shingle (2.7 lbm/ft2, 13.2 kg/m2)
- Metal roofing – aluminum or steel – panel, sheet or shingle (1.2 lbm/ft2, 5.9 kg/m2)
- Terne plate – copper bearing steel sheet (0.7 lbm/ft2, 3.4 kg/m2)
- Wood shingle or shake (2.4 lbm/ft2, 11.7 kg/m2)
What is the difference between 15 and 30 roofing felt?
Perhaps the Jeep is a bit more softly sprung, or maybe there were other factors at play, but on the decent Texas roads I was driving on, the Wrangler glided.
What is the best material for roofing felt?
What is the best material for your roof?
- Roof-tiling materials and slates. Tiles are usually made from materials such as ceramic materials, clay, and sometimes even glass. ...
- Metal roofing. Metal roofing is slowly coming back into vogue, with the standing seam (with upturned edge) steel roofing being one of the most popular.
- Lead. ...
- Torch on felt flat roofing. ...
- Rubber. ...
How much does roofing felt cost?
Roof Replacement Cost. The national average cost to replace a roof is $7,211 with most homeowners spending between $4,707 and $10,460.Roof installation cost ranges from $400 to $550 per square depending on the roof size and materials used in reroofing. Expect to spend $1,500 to $3,000 to remove your current roof before installing a replacement.

When should I use 30lb felt?
This weight of felt is a good economic choice if you have a standard roof. But if your roof has a steep pitch, #30 is a better option because it is thicker and tears less during installation. With #30 you get a thicker layer of underlayment and protection.
What is the purpose of the #30 felt?
Heavy Duty Asphalt Roofing Felt (30#) This product is applied directly to the roof deck on sloped roofs, and used under asphalt shingles, wood shakes and tiles. This product acts as a secondary layer of protection from wind driven rain, ice damming and normal weather patterns.
What is the difference between 15 pound roofing felt and 30 pound felt?
The difference between 15-lb and 30-lb roofing felt paper 15-lb felt paper weighed 15 pounds per 100 sq. ft. (one roofing square) and 30-lb felt paper weighed 30 pounds per square. Felt paper is commonly produced with a certain number of recycled products and coated with asphalt.
What is #30 felt paper?
#30 ASTM Felt provides an extra moisture barrier to wind blown rain. #30 ASTM felt is FL building code approved under FL2346. #30 ASTM roof felt consist of recycled paper and asphalt.
Is 30 pound felt waterproof?
Is Roofing Felt Waterproof? Roofing Felt is the support material that is required to develop roll roofing and roof shingles. Being used as the waterproof coverings in commercial as well as residential roofs for decades, these membranes comprise two layers, signifying it is waterproof.
How long can 30 lb felt be exposed?
According to our contract, they are using one layer of 30lb ASTM roofing felt paper. So, the curling is a natural occurrence and doesn't necessarily mean issues? After 2 1/2 months of exposure standard #30 felt should be replaced.
What weight of roofing felt should I use?
Most residential rooftops use 15 or 30 pound roof felt. In drier areas, lighter roofing felts may be used.
What type of roof felt is best?
We recommend polyester reinforced felt that has been manufactured specifically for heavy-duty use. It is thicker than standard grade shed felt, and like other reinforced products, it has a lifespan of approximately 15 years. The thickness of the product makes it more resistant to tearing when battered by heavy winds.
What is the most common underlayment for roofing?
One of the most common types of underlayment used in residential, steep-slope applications is black, ashphalt-saturated felt paper. Felt underlayment may be made from either organic or fiberglass substrate, although the organic is much more common. It's called "organic" underlayment because it has a cellulose base.
What is the difference between 15 and 30 felt?
Felt underlayment is the older of the two and comes in 15 lb and 30 lb rolls. The big difference between the two types of felt underlayment is that 30 lb is thicker, stronger, and less likely to tear than 15 lb.
How do you install 30 pound felt on a roof?
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What is the thickest roofing felt?
Roofing Paper Thickness The most commonly used felts are #15 and #30, with weights of 8 and 20 pounds per 100 square feet, respectively. The most commonly used is #15, which comes in rolls 3 feet wide, is 144-feet long and covers approximately four squares per roll, or approximately 400 feet of roof.
What is Atlas felt roofing?
Atlas® Roofing provides a complete selection of roofing felt underlayment. The roof felts are asphalt saturated and are manufactured with a high-grade organic mat. #30 Saturated Felt underlayment is specified for use as an underlayment between the roof deck and the shingles.
How many nails do you need to roll out felt?
When you are satisfied that the roll is positioned properly, drive about five nails into the top right-hand corner of the felt. Roll out the felt no more than midway (perhaps 25 feet or so) across the average-size roof. If there is any wind at all, roll out the felt only about 10 feet.
Why do you need felt on a wood deck?
A layer of felt must be applied to a wood deck to provide a vapor retarder between the wood deck and the asphalt fiberglass shingles. Without the felt layer, the wood planking or plywood deck - dried by heated temperatures found in most attics - will draw moisture (including tar and oils from the asphalt) from the shingles.
Is felt waterproof in a valley?
The deck will be waterproof and the chalk line will remain clean. When you lay felt in a valley, make certain there are no rips or large wrinkles in the felt. Before you apply the horizontal sections of the felt, install a vertical length of felt down the center of the valley.
How much felt should I use for a roof?
Traditionally, you could choose between 15-pound and 30-pound felt. Now, however, you also have the option of synthetic underlayment, sometimes referred to as synthetic felt.
How thick is roofing felt?
Roofing felt is similar to fleece made from polyester or fiberglass and then soaked in waterproofing agent. 15 pound and 30 pound refers to the thickness of the felt, with the numbers indicating the weight of 100 square feet of this paper back when they were originally developed. Now, however, they weigh less, although the names stuck.
What is felt underlayment?
Before we get into the comparisons, you need to have a clear understanding of the various options. The felt and synthetics are all types of roofing underlayment. Underlayment offers an additional layer of protection in case water penetrates the shingles on the roof. It also provides protection to the inner structure and the decking when the shingles are not in place, either during installation or repairs. It can also boost your home’s fire rating and provides roofers with slip protection as they install the shingles.
How many square feet does roofing felt cover?
Roofing felt comes in rolls that are three feet long and will typically cover around 400 square feet. By contrast, synthetic rolls usually cover about 1,000 square feet and are about four feet long. The larger rolls of synthetic felt can make it ...
How much does synthetic underlayment weigh?
Ten square feet of felt has an average weight of about 130 pounds, while an equivalent amount of synthetic would be just 23 pounds. This obviously makes synthetic underlayment easier to get up to the roof.
What size felt should I use for a steep roof?
In the case of roofs with a steeper slope, you should always opt for 30-pound felt instead of 15-pound. This is essential due to its increased slip protection and resistance to tearing. If you opt for thinner felt on a steep roof, it is more likely to rip.
Is synthetic underlayment more expensive?
The prices of your underlayment will vary based on the specific product you choose, but synthetic tends to be more expensive, with a few key factors to keep in mind. Heavier synthetics will cost more, as they typically have higher-performance qualities, such as longer exposure times or better walkability.
What is felt roofing?
Sometimes called roofing felt underlayment, roofing tar paper, or roll roofing, this is a layer of protection installed between the roof deck and the roofing shingles. Roofing felt is comprised of a base, made from natural materials (such as wood cellulose) or synthetic ones (such as fiberglass or polyester), and then coated or saturated ...
Why do you put felt on a roof?
Roofing felt prevents the deck from being exposed to the elements before, or while, the shingles are being applied. It improves look and uniformity. Because your roof deck might not lie perfectly straight or flat, a layer of roof paper gives an even, uniform surface upon which you can install your shingles.
Why use felt paper on a roof?
Why use roofing felt paper? Roofing experts have discovered that adding a layer of protection between your structural roof decking (the layer of wood that covers your rafters) and your roof shingles helps create a better-looking and longer-lasting roof.
Can you use synthetic underlayment under slate?
Use one or two layers of this thicker product for superior protection. In some cases, a synthetic underlayment can be used as a suitable alternative. Use especially under slate or tile shingles. This is the minimum weight many professional associations recommend, and many building codes require.
Does felt protect your roof?
In fact, there are a number of important ways roofing felt not only protects your roof, but also your residence. For example: It repels water. Wind-driven rain or snow can trap water under your shingles, putting your roof deck and inner residence at risk of moisture damage, leaks, rot and mold. Roofing felt helps ensure the water drains off ...
Does felt block resin?
Having a layer of roof felt will block the resin, preventing it from staining or compromising your roof shingles.
Does felt protect against leaks?
However, roofing felt offers additional protection against leakage, providing an extra layer of water resistance. It provides extra weather protection. Although your shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements, having a backup layer of weather protection underneath helps extend the life of your roof deck. ...
What is the advantage of felt underlayment?
The main advantage of using felt roofing underlayment is cost. Felt underlayment tends to cost less compared to synthetic underlay ment, which is why it’s often the go-to for budget-conscious homeowners.
What is underlayment on a roof?
What Is Roofing Underlayment? Roofing underlayment is what lies between the shingles and the roof sheathing, or roof deck, which is typically either plywood or OSB. It’s installed directly on the roof deck and provides a secondary layer of protection from the elements, including rain, snow, and wind.
What is moisture resistant underlayment?
Moisture-resistant – Where felt products tend to absorb water, synthetic roofing underlayments are built to repel water. This is important for homeowners concerned about moisture infiltration, especially if they plan to leave the underlayment exposed for a prolonged period of time. Because it’s made of plastic, ...
What is the layer of protection on top of a roof called?
It’s called roofing underlayment.
What are the different types of underlayment?
Types of Roofing Underlayment. There are two main types of roofing underlayment: Felt. Synthetic. Each product has its pros and cons, and the type you choose may depend on your geographical area, roofing materials used, roof design, budget and what your roofing contractor may suggest.
Is synthetic underlayment better than felt?
Synthetic roofing underlayment has many advantages over felt and may be a worthwhile investment to protect your roof and home from the risks of water and moisture infiltration.
Does synthetic underlayment tear?
Synthetic roof underlayment is extremely durable. It typically doesn’t tear and is suitable for extended UV and moisture exposure in some cases, which is especially helpful if there’s a bit of lead time ...
What is the difference between 15 and 30 felt?
This weight of felt is a good economic choice if you have a standard roof. But if your roof has a steep pitch, #30 is a better option because it is thicker and tears less during installation.#N#With #30 you get a thicker layer of underlayment and protection. Even if there is a lot of moisture it will have a harder time getting through the thickness of #30. The thickness of the #30 felt helps with better traction for the workers while on a steep pitched roof.#N#The best person to consult is a roofer you can trust, someone who knows the benefits of both weights of felt. Generally speaking, if your roof is above a certain pitch you will need the #30 pound felt and if your roof is under a certain pitch you can go with the #15 pound felt. Your felt is usually an automatic industry standard, most often the customer does not choose the felt they would prefer, roofers will follow code based on the specs of the roof.#N#Call or contact us today.
Why use felt on a roof?
It helps to repel water while still providing some air to pass through. This protects the wood from becoming damaged and essentially gives you a better looking and longer lasting roof. Felt also provides a safer working environment for the crew by giving them better traction and helping to keep them from slipping.
Is #30 a good roof?
But if your roof has a steep pitch, #30 is a better option because it is thicker and tears less during installation. With #30 you get a thicker layer of underlayment and protection. Even if there is a lot of moisture it will have a harder time getting through the thickness of #30.
