How to Install Roll Roofing

Roll roofing is the easiest roofing material that you can install on your own. It is nothing but roofing sheets that are manufactured in rolls. These rolls are installed as overlapping stripes. A durability of a maximum 12 years makes roll roofing a popular roofing material. These sheets are available in a wide range of materials, but the most used ones are made of asphalt, coated with felt or fiberglass. Basically the combination of its contents depend upon the requirements of its user. Changes are made in the composites of the sheets to enhance some unique qualities such as adhesion, slip resistance, water absorption, tear resistance, and remarkable flexibility.

Roll roofing sheets are mostly ideal for slightly sloping roofs of garages, additional porches, or for a shed. If you want to finish the home construction on your own, then roll roofing is the best option in place of conventional roofing shingles that you may have. The most important thing to consider is the climate on the day of the roll roofing installation. It must be sunny and not cold because the coldness will make the roofing unannealed hence, stiff. The roll sheet must be exposed to the sun for a whole of 24 hours before the actual installation process begins. This becomes necessary in order to make the rolls flat.

There are two installation methods, the hot asphalt method and the cold asphalt method. Where the hot asphalt method is a bit conventional, the cold asphalt method is the more popular one. In the cold asphalt method, spreadable adhesive is smoothed on the roof top initially and then the roll roofing is installed over it. Roll roofing can be installed using a simple adhesive and even without using any nails. Before installation, make sure that the roof top is totally clean and dry.

We haven't gotten around to discussing the kind of roofing that one must select. The type of roofing depends on the individual person's requirements. To aid in your choice, I provide you with information on the various roll roofing types available in the market:

Types of Roll Roofing

• Eaves flashing roofing - This is a polymer modified bituminous roofing roll, that works as a self adhesive. It is specially designed for pooling water or as an ice developing area.
• Smooth surface roll roofing - This roofing consists of ground talc or mica, designed as a flashing for the extrusions and overlapping of the seals. It is specifically used for the roof's overhanging, valleys, and also as an extra sealant on almost every kind of roof.
• Mineral surfaced roll roofing - The surface of this roofing consists of mineral granules and small rocks. It is most commonly used for small structures like storage buildings, barns and extensive sheds.
• Saturated felt roofing - This is an organic based asphalt roll roofing, underlaid between the roofing material and the roof deck.

Installation Tips and Steps

• It is suggested to use a proper underlayment, as it enhances the durability of your roofing material.
• You will need to apply the starter strip. For this, you will have to cut a strip from the roofing sheet roll 17 inches wide. After applying some cement on the eaves of the roof, place the 17 inch starter strip on the eaves and spread it by pressing hard with the roofing roller.
• Now nail two rows on the flat strip at an interval of 12 inches each.
• Before you install the actual roll roofing, you will have to place the course on the freshly laid starter strip.
• Again, add two rows of nails on the course. The distance of the nails from the top of the course should be 13 inches with 4 ½ inches between them.
• After placing the course, place the nails 12 inches apart from each other and hammer down on them.
• Roll the roofing back and cover its whole surface with the roofing cement.
• Sealing the vertical overlaps is the most important thing. The overlapping of the sealing must be at least 6 inches. The nails must strictly be 1 inch apart from the edge of the roof and 4 inches from each other. The overlapping must also be sealed by spreading the roofing cement on it.
• Finally, you will have to seal the sloping ends and the ridges of the roof.
• Once you are done with sealing everything, all you need to do is trim all the rakes using a utility knife.

This is how you can go about installing a roll roofing. One must remember that roll roofing sheets are the most delicate of all types of roofing, they're ideal for outhouses or porches because of their relatively short life span. Though this task does not require professional intervention, however, it would be wise to take the help of another person so that your work is divided.