How to Install Roll Roofing

Roll roofing is the easiest roofing material to install on your own. Roll roofing is nothing but roofing sheets that are manufactured in rolls. The rolls are installed as overlapping stripes. Durability of about 5 to 10 years, makes roll roofing a popular roofing material. Roll roofing sheets are available in a wide range of materials, but the mostly 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 roll roofing sheets, to enhance some unique qualities such as adhesion, slip resistance, water absorption, tear resistance and remarkable flexibility.

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

There are two installation methods, namely the hot asphalt method and the cold asphalt method. Where the hot asphalt method is a bit conventional, the cold asphalt method is the really popular one. In the cold asphalt method, the 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 dried up.

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 a 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 an organic based asphalt roll roofing, underlaid between the roofing material and the roof deck.

Actual Installation Tips and Steps

• It is suggested to use a proper underlayment, as it enhances the durability of your roll roofing.
• You will need to apply the starter strip. For this, you will have to cut a strip from the roofing sheet roll, of the width of 17 inches. After applying some cement on the eaves of the roof, you must 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 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 all the sealing processes, all you need to do is trim all the rakes using a utility knife.

This way the installation process of roll roofing is done. One must remember that roll roofing sheets are the most delicate of all types of roofing. They are best used on flat roof tops.