Many building supplies stores throughout the Delaware Valley sell roll roofing. The material is similar in composition to asphalt shingles but thinner. Many homeowners with do-it-yourself experience can quickly learn how to install roll roofing. It is appropriate for low-pitch roofs, like those on sheds, gazebos, or three-seasons rooms. To avoid working with stiff and brittle material, we suggest you choose a day for your project when it is at least 50 degrees.
How to Install Roll Roofing Instructions
- Measure the length and width of the roof surface. Multiply the numbers to determine how many rolls of roofing to buy. Increase the number by 5% to 10% to account for pieces that need to be trimmed.
- 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. If any nails are sticking up from the roof sheathing, drive them down with a hammer.
- Use roofing cement to adhere the roof drip edge to bottom edge of roof deck.
- Measure 35 inches up from the bottom edge. Mark it with a chalk line to create a straight line parallel to the drip edge.
- Cut roll roofing with utility knife into sections that fit the roof.
- Position the first piece along the chalk line. The other edge of the roll should line up with the outer edge of the drip edge.
- Drive roofing nails along the bottom edge and along the sides. Place nails 1 inch from the edges and 6 inches apart.
- Mark another chalk line 34 inches up from the top edge of the first row of roll roofing.
- Put down roof cement in a band 2 inches wide along the top edge of the first row.
- Position the second row of roll roofing along the chalk line and overlap the roofing cement.
- Nail the bottom edge of the second row the same way as before.
- Repeat the process until the roof is complete.
- Seal the final top edge with roofing cement.