Shed Wars

[dewaltdisney]

Another struggle. I noticed a long piece of felt had ripped off my shed roof in recent strong winds. I cannot complain as the shed is 30 years old and it is the original felt. It is quite sheltered in the spot where it is, and the rest of the felt looked sound. So I ordered a roll and tacks from Toolstation and set about repairing it. The felt roll was 10 meters, enough to do the whole roof, but I wanted the easy way out and looked just to replace the damaged section. Of course, I should have known better. The challenge was access as there is a narrow gap at the back and also the height as it is an apex roof. I started figuring out how to do it and I realised that I needed to add cleats attached under the T&G roof boarding front and back edges to give me a decent point to tack the felt to. I got some roofing battens, another trip out, cut them to size, and predrilled the sections for screws, clamping in position it went quite well apart from the sun in my eyes and the step ladders sinking into the soft ground. At the end of the first session I had covered the damaged section but realised I had to do the rest (I did not want to) The awkward rear fixing needed a degree of contortionism that my less-than-supple body found hard to do. Rain then intervened and it was too wet to continue. A few days later I did three more felt sections but as I did the last section the felt slipped off the roof and crumpled on the ground. As you might guess it had a nice rip along a fold and it was useless. Rain again so a few days later after paying out another £25 for a new roll of felt I finished it yesterday. I have to rip some fascia panels to make the gables look attractive and protect against wind getting under. I have 24 feet of unused felt but my friend has a small shed in need so I am going to help him. I never learn. I hate DIY.


DWD

[Argyll]

I've re-felted my shed roof three times. The last time it started leaking, I decided to invest in Onduline corrugated panels, which I purchased online. Made from recycled tires, these panels have kept my shed completely dry for the last six years.

In my experience, felt roofing and clout nails don’t hold up well. The wood underneath contracts and expands with changes in temperature, which often forces the clout nails upward and leads to leaks. I find it’s a false economy to rely on felt for roofing.

[dewaltdisney]

I see your point but this is the first time in 30 years I have done mine. Onduline sheets are a good roofing system but you have to make sure the orientation favours the prevailing wind direction. I have seen stable roofs ripped off where strong winds got under. My shed is very sheltered under trees so it is largely protected. Did you make any headway in your career change by the way?

DWD

[Grendel]

I gave up using the so called shed felt some time ago unless the customer wants it . I find it too thin and easily tears . My sheds are felted with the thicker stuff , it’s something like 38kg a roll. My workshop is roofed and walled above waste height with the oduline /Coro line and it’s at least 20 years old now . I find that it benefits from a ply backing as it will sag in the heat. There’s also a slight difference in profile between the oduline and the Coroline. One thing that irritates me with most sheds is a lack of timber on the gables and if I can I will screw some tile lath between the purlins to give me more to nail to .