Felt Roofing

Felt has come a long way. A modern three-layer SBS torch-on system, properly laid, is a sound roof for fifteen to twenty-five years at a lower price than EPDM or GRP. For a garage, shed or outbuilding where budget matters, it is still the sensible answer.

Where felt is not sensible is on the roof above your kitchen or bedroom, where a failure costs far more than the saving, or near timber cladding and some insulation where a gas torch cannot safely be used. We will tell you which category your roof is in.

Photograph: Felt Roofing job in progress or completed
(to be supplied)

Warning signs

Garage or carportCost-effective and straightforward.

Shed or summerhouseFelt is often the only system that makes financial sense.

Outbuilding or storeDurable enough, cheap enough.

Temporary roofWhere a building has a limited life.

Repair to existing feltPatching a felt roof with a few years left in it.

Budget-driven replacementWhere EPDM or GRP is out of reach for now.

What we do

Three-layer torch-on felt systems (vapour barrier, underlay, mineral cap sheet)
Self-adhesive felt systems where a torch cannot be used
Patch repairs to blisters, splits and laps
New decks where the existing has rotted
Drip edges, upstands and outlets
Mineral finishes in green or grey

Materials and methods

SBS-modified polyester-based felts from IKO, Bailey or Chesterfelt, laid as a three-layer system with a 10 to 15-year guarantee. Self-adhesive alternatives where there is a fire risk from torching. Decks in 18 mm WBP or OSB3.

Why choose us for felt roofing

The lowest-cost sound flat roof for outbuildings
Quick to install
Easily repaired
Honest advice on when to spend more on EPDM or GRP instead

What to expect

We check the deck and quote for felt, and for EPDM alongside if the roof is over a living space, so you can compare the cost over the roof's life. Installation is usually a day.

Related projects

Completed project

Genuine felt roofing projects appear here once photographed.

All projects →

Frequently asked questions

How long does a felt roof last?

Fifteen to twenty-five years for a modern three-layer system, well laid. The old single-layer felt of the 1970s is what gave felt its reputation.

Is felt safe to install?

Torch-on felt is installed with a gas torch, so it is not used near combustible cladding, thatch or some insulation. Self-adhesive felt exists for those situations.

Should I choose felt or EPDM for my garage?

If budget is tight, felt. If you plan to keep the house for twenty years, EPDM costs more now and less overall.

Can you repair my existing felt roof?

Yes, if it has life left. If it is blistered and brittle throughout, patching it is throwing money away and we will say so.