Replacing summerhouse roof covering

[Escort3500]

We’re getting tired of replacing the felt roof on our summerhouse every few years when it starts to swell and leak (despite careful application). It’s a shallow mono-pitch construction of T&G boards with the felt wrapped over the edges and closed with 4x1 fascia’s.

So we’re looking for an alternative that’s more durable and weatherproof. Is EDPM still the go-to solution, or have things moved on and are there other options that are now better? Also, how easy is it for a (reasonable) DIYer to undertake?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[NDA]

I laid cedar tiles (shingles) on top of a failing felt roof on a pool house a few years ago - it worked very well... lasts forever.

[Escort3500]

NDA said:

I laid cedar tiles (shingles) on top of a failing felt roof on a pool house a few years ago - it worked very well... lasts forever.

Thanks. What pitch was it?

[OutInTheShed]

I looked at a house with cedar shingles on a garden office/studio.
They were as rotten as the tory party.
About 20 years old I think.

[NDA]

Escort3500 said:

NDA said:

I laid cedar tiles (shingles) on top of a failing felt roof on a pool house a few years ago - it worked very well... lasts forever.

Thanks. What pitch was it?

I don't know the answer to that other than saying it was a traditional garden shed type of pitch - whatever that might be.

I have cedar shingles on my house as it happens - a 14th Century house that was once thatched. The shingles are about 30 years old at this point - the north facing side is almost as new, the south facing side are curling slightly, but still in excellent condition.

[Huzzah]

I'm thinking of Onduline sheets nailed over the top of a felt covered pent roof.

It's only a shed so the aesthetic doesn't matter too much.

[OutInTheShed]

Escort3500 said:

We re getting tired of replacing the felt roof on our summerhouse every few years when it starts to swell and leak (despite careful application). It s a shallow mono-pitch construction of T&G boards with the felt wrapped over the edges and closed with 4x1 fascia s.

So we re looking for an alternative that s more durable and weatherproof. Is EDPM still the go-to solution, or have things moved on and are there other options that are now better? Also, how easy is it for a (reasonable) DIYer to undertake?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Decent felt on a sound substrate should last 15 to 20 years.
If you're not doing felt right, rubber will probably fail for you too!

All roofing needs the right stuff underneath it and the right details.

T&G boards moving under the felt could be the problem?

Full sun can reduce the light of felt, it's also going to make a black rubber roof hot.

You can use rubber, felt GRP, wood, thatch or slate. Steel profile can be bought with an insulated backing.
A world of choice, but a proper job is more than just the outer skin.

My next shed may be 90% roofed with solar panels.

[Escort3500]

OutInTheShed said:

Escort3500 said:

We re getting tired of replacing the felt roof on our summerhouse every few years when it starts to swell and leak (despite careful application). It s a shallow mono-pitch construction of T&G boards with the felt wrapped over the edges and closed with 4x1 fascia s.

So we re looking for an alternative that s more durable and weatherproof. Is EDPM still the go-to solution, or have things moved on and are there other options that are now better? Also, how easy is it for a (reasonable) DIYer to undertake?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Decent felt on a sound substrate should last 15 to 20 years.
If you're not doing felt right, rubber will probably fail for you too!

All roofing needs the right stuff underneath it and the right details.

T&G boards moving under the felt could be the problem?

Full sun can reduce the light of felt, it's also going to make a black rubber roof hot.

You can use rubber, felt GRP, wood, thatch or slate. Steel profile can be bought with an insulated backing.
A world of choice, but a proper job is more than just the outer skin.

My next shed may be 90% roofed with solar panels.

Thanks OITS (and others who’ve commented).

I’ve a pal who made our 6m x 3m workshop which has an insulated, profiled steel sheet roof, so I’ll sound him out.

[Simpo Two]

NDA said:

I laid cedar tiles (shingles) on top of a failing felt roof on a pool house a few years ago - it worked very well... lasts forever.

I'm a fan of cedar shingles but how long they last is dependent on angle. Vertically, almost for ever. But not great on a shallow pitched roof IMHO. Also, you won't see them up there so it's a bit of a waste I think. Save them for where they can be enjoyed

[Landlubber]

You could always try the Falklands thatch.