How do you install underlayment for shingles
Isabella Wilson
Published Mar 08, 2026
Some roofers prefer to attach felt underlayment with 1-inch roofing nails or special nails with plastic washers, but most codes allow staples, which are easier to drive. … Underlayment, flashings, and shingles all work together and must be installed in the correct order.
What should be used to install the roofing underlayment?
Some roofers prefer to attach felt underlayment with 1-inch roofing nails or special nails with plastic washers, but most codes allow staples, which are easier to drive. … Underlayment, flashings, and shingles all work together and must be installed in the correct order.
What is the best underlayment for roof shingles?
1. Asphalt-saturated Felt. This used to be the most popular choice for roof underlayment until it was replaced by synthetics. It’s usually known as tar paper or felt paper and it can be made from various mixtures of asphalt, polyester, cellulose, or bitumen.
Does underlayment go over drip edge?
Does Drip Edge Go Over or Under Felt? According to most building codes and manufacturer recommendations, the drip edge should be installed beneath the underlayment along the eaves of the roof. But over the underlayment along the rake edges of the roof.Do shingles need underlay?
No matter what type of asphalt shingle you are using, whether traditional or more robust styles (such as under premium designer, architectural and performance shingles) it is recommended to use a underlayment.
How do you attach roofing felt?
Use a construction stapler or a hammer. Put fasteners at least every 8 inches; some suppliers recommend staples about every 4 inches. Leave the top portion of the paper loose. Overlay a second layer of felt 2 to 3 inches and fasten it through the overlay so it secures the top of the felt underneath.
How do you overlap a roof underlayment?
Overlapping 19 inches will ensure that the underlayment is at least two layers thick all over the roof. So, underlayment on low-slope roofs should overlap 19 inches. Remember that underlayment on steep-slope roofs should overlap 2 inches.
Does roofing felt need to be glued?
The reason you should use adhesive sparingly is because the bitumen in the shed felt will expand in warm weather and it will contract in cold weather. Not using too much adhesive allows it some give, which prevents it from tearing or cracking.What nails do you use for roofing felt?
Galvanised nails can be used in a wide range of applications, but are most commonly used in the installation of asphalt shingles and felt on outbuildings, sheds and more – wherever adverse weather conditions are common, galvanised nails are a good choice.
Can you staple down roof underlayment?Cap Nails. Many roofers will tell you that staples are fine for installing the synthetic underlayment. … But it’s important to understand that cap nails should only be used for securing roofing underlayment. So if you utilize them for this reason, remember that it’s the only reason to use them.
Article first time published onWhat is the proper overhang for roof shingles?
Shingles should not extend more than 3/4” (19 mm) past the drip edge. If shingles overhang the edge of the roof by more than 3/4” (19 mm), then they are not supported and may crack and break off. In addition, the wind resistance at the roof edge may be compromised.
How far do shingles overhang drip edge?
The edge of the shingles should hang over a roof between an inch and an inch and a half — or between a half inch and three-quarters of an inch if drip edge flashing is installed. Too much overhang and the shingles could blow off in high winds; too little can allow water to seep into rake or fascia boards.
Which is better felt or synthetic underlayment?
With that in mind, synthetic underlayment is more durable than felt underlayment. Felt underlayment is much more prone to rip from high winds and during the installation process. Synthetic underlayment also holds nails better and repels water instead of absorbing it.
What is the minimum underlayment for asphalt shingles?
for asphalt shingles, NRCA recommends a single layer of no. 15 asphalt-saturated underlayment be used with roofs having slopes of 4:12 (18 degrees) or greater. for roof slopes between 3:12 (14 degrees) to 4:12 (18 degrees), NRCA recommends a minimum of two layers of no. 15 underlayment.
Is peel and stick underlayment worth it?
In areas prone to strong wind and rain, peel and stick underlayment is always a better choice compared to traditional solutions like asphalt. Peel and stick is significantly more efficient in minimizing the risk of water infiltration and damage.
Why do you need felt under shingles?
Roofing felt or felt paper, also called underlayment or roofing tar paper, goes between the roof deck and the shingles, which adds another layer of protection to your roof. … It serves as a water repellent when heavy rain and storms can cause moisture to get trapped between the shingle and wood of your roof decking.
Which way up does roofing felt go?
It has to go rougher side up, but there is no specific top or bottom. Make sure the felt placed higher up overlaps the lower piece. Do I need to spread a layer of tar on the roof before laying the felt? You don’t need to apply any tar before laying the felt, however it depends on your needs.
Do you need underlay for torch on felt?
The torch-on felt solution relies on a three-layer system, which will require two levels of underlay underneath the cap sheet.
How do you finish felt edges?
- More washing. Using a washboard or solar pool cover to provide the maximum agitation, wash and scrub just the edges. …
- Roll with doweling. …
- Furl the edges. …
- Ironing the felt flat. …
- Cut a straight edges around the felt. …
- Felt areas to shrink them straight. …
- Furl the edges of the felt. …
- Pull the felt into shape.
What is the best adhesive for roof felt?
Answer: Bostik Bituminous Felt Adhesive for Roofs is a cold applied adhesive for bonding bituminous roofing felts to asphalt, felt, metal and concrete.
How much should roofing felt overlap?
Always ensure there is at least 5cm of overlap between each sheet, and nail down the felt from the centre outwards as before.
Should I tape roof seams?
Use Roof Deck Tape to tape all joints and seams of a roof deck, preventing water, air and moisture from entering the structure. Once the joints and seams are taped, the roof may be covered with roofing felt, a synthetic underlayment or self-adhering underlayment like those offered by MFM.
Can roofing felt be installed vertically?
Dave Molloy Some roofers install underlayment vertically over short steep roof decks to provide quicker protection from the weather, but not all building inspectors will approve this practice. In general, the IRC specifies horizontal underlayment installation.
Can you stick roofing felt to wood?
Question: Can you use to stick roofing felt onto plywood? Answer: Yes this would be suitable for that purpose.
Can you put roofing felt on wet wood?
The felt is actually what keeps your roof dry! The shingles are in place to protect the felt. … Roofing felt should ideally be dry when shingles are installed to avoid ripping, but it’s still possible to install when wet. The felt can be damaged if exposed to moisture too long.
What kind of nails do you use for underlayment?
Ring-shank and spiral-shank nails are the best fasteners for this application because they are grooved to increase friction and resist withdrawal.
Can you use roofing nails for underlayment?
Underlayment that will be exposed for a while is at greater risk of tearing and so is underlayment on high-traffic roofs. For this type of installation, you’ll want to stick with either cap nails, crown cap staples, or roofing nails with 3/8” heads.
How many nails do I need for roofing felt?
Drive about five nails in the top right-hand corner and roll out the felt about halfway (perhaps 25 feet) across the roof. Stand on the first course of felt and work with the second course of felt above you. It is not necessary to completely nail the top edge of the course.
Should drip edge be tight to fascia?
A vertical drip edge lip extends down roughly 1 5/8″ and as Steve points out, should not be set tight against the fascia board or water may run behind the gutter and down the fascia, inviting leaks and rot.
Should you remove the plastic strip on shingles?
The GAF shingle application instructions for our entire product line specifically state that that film does not need to be removed. Note: The film strips on the back of each shingle are to prevent sticking together of the shingles while in the bundle. Their removal is NOT required during application.
Do you need drip edge on roof?
Without a drip edge, water may end up beneath the shingles and may cause damage to various parts of the home. Though your home may not have originally had a drip edge installed, drip edges are now required by most building codes across North America to protect homes from damage.