Tar Paper - Roofer911.com

by Roofer911.com - 2 Comments

Underneath your roof’s shingles is tar paper, the last line of defense against moisture. Tar paper is Kraft paper that is impregnated with asphalt to prevent water from soaking through or into your roof decking or attic. It is usually installed as part of all of the layers of roofing that protect your home.

If you are starting from the decking, the paper is rolled out parallel to the gutters and glued down at the bottom with roofing cement and the rest is nailed into place. The next layer up overlaps the top edge and is glued and nailed down, and so continues to the ridge of the roof. When roofers do this, they are experienced with installation and know how icky tarry roofing cement can be, so they are quite careful in how they trowel on only what is needed. Thicker roofing felt called #30 or 30 pound is often used because it is just easier to work with. 15 pound may be lighter, but that means it can catch in a breeze and tear more easily. It may not even unroll across the roof in a straight line as easily as the 30 pound.

The roof replacement then continues by installing layers of shingles starting at the gutter edge and working up in layers to the ridge. In some rural areas, tar paper has even been used as a building material for covering the exterior walls of buildings, with the horizontal rolls of paper stabilized by vertical boards.

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Comments

2 Responses to "Tar Paper "

Roof Repair In Ottawa says:
January 16, 2012 at 8:56 PM

Installing tar paper allows shingles to actually stick right on to it. If there is no tar paper installed, shingles will never stick to the plywood. It makes it more wind resistant and protects your roof from water damage. Be sure to install better ventilation other wise the sun from outside and the insulation from inside will cook your shingles like a baked potato.

Barrhaven Roofing And Repair says:
November 28, 2012 at 10:47 PM

I always use tar/felt paper on every new installation but now there is a synthetic version of underlayment that out performs #15 or #30. One roll of synthetic underlayment covers 1200sqf.