Shed roof - what material to use?

[Fudgewhizz]

We have a large shed (14'x10') which we use instead of a garage. It's now seven years old and the felt has degraded to the point where the inside of the shed is very wet! What's the best material to reroof it in? We've had a quote of £750 to put rubber roof on (which is now much less than the whole shed cost) but is this the best? We can't spend a fortune but we need something that's going to last. I have zero experience of roofing and google isn't much help!

I would use this stuff

www.wickes.co.uk/IKO-Black-Shed-Felt---10-x-1m/p/112812

and joint the edges using this (nasty stuff - wear gloves)

www.wickes.co.uk/IKOpro-High-Performance-Roofing-Felt-Adhesive-5L/p/151403
Other stores/products are available.

Getting the old stuff off may take longer than putting the new stuff on depending on how it is fixed.

This is a diy job depending on your ability and availability of ladders etc plus it will be easier if you have a helper. It should last for 10 years if you do it properly.

Watch out for rotten bits of wood once you have removed the old covering - some bits may need replacing if it has been wet for a while.

Is the shed in good enough condition to reroof and spend the money? Could be good money after bad if not.

@PresentingPercy Definitely - it's a proper, solid construction - think 1" thick tanalised timber, big thick 6x4" roof beams, power / lighting... It's not your standard flat pack shed. I'd be spitting feathers if it were falling down now! Should have another 10-20 years in it at least.

What a shame the roof wasn’t great but you can make a pitched roof out of high quality roofing materials that were used formerly for flat roofs.

If the wood is wet under the felt then it’s not a good idea to refelt it yet, all you will be doing is trapping the moisture under the new felt , and it will rot the roof away. If you can temporarily cover it and stop most of the water getting in , then when the weather is drier get all the old stuff off for a few days then refelt.

Some thick polythene or building dpm over it with a couple of battens screwed over it should keep most of the water out.

The best felt is the heavy duty stuff that has a rough grit finish to it ( more expensive and heavier ). The cheaper felt tends to rip easy and won’t last as long. As a pp has said its easily a diy job , but its better with two people. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it.

If done well it could last ten years.

I’m not sure how long our shed has been up, but a woman who used to own the land ( in was part of their garden years ago ) said she used to play in it when she was a little girl, she’s in her 80’s now. It’s on its last legs now but is still water tight with only felt on the roof. Unfortunately the woodworm have been feasting on it for years so it’s days are numbered. But wooden structure can last a long time if looked after properly.

Flat roofs do not last as long as pitched, the water tends to lie on them and as they deteriorate, to penetrate to the deck beneath and degrade or rot it.

You mention felt or rubber, so I guess yours is flat.

We've had rubber fitted to replace stolen lead on a commercial building, and it is considered a big step up from felt, if it is professionally fitted by somebody good. Ask around for personal recommendations and insist on visiting recent roofs and speaking to the homeowner, without the roofer eavesdropping.

Advertising websites, where they pay to be listed, are not a good source.

Yours has been leaking so I imagine the old deck will need to be renewed as well.

my shed is roofed with translucent polycarbonate, so it is light inside, but I am no expert on shed roofs.

@PigletJohn it's a pent roof, so a shallow gradient of maybe 20%. We got the roofers to quote at the same time as quoting for house roof replacement (never rains but I pours and all that.....literally). If it means we'd get a better roof then we'll pay for it but if we can do a decent job ourselves then we'll do that. Just don't know if the latter is advisable! We currently have a tarpaulin nailed on all the way round to stop it getting any wetter.

I don't know about a shallow roof, but I think you can do better than felt.

Some sort of metal or plastic sheeting? There are some that simulate tiles or slates.