Roof tear off exposes felt underlayment (C) Daniel Friedman

Roof Underlayment Requirements & Recommendations

UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS on ROOFS
- Is roofing felt needed under asphalt shingle roofs?
- Roof shingle warranty requirements for roof shingle underlayment
- NRCA recommendations for roofing felt underlayment
- Permeability of felt underlayments in hot humid climates
- What are the benefits from using roofing underlayment or felt?
- What problems can occur when using a roof shingle underlayment?
ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES - separate article
ASPHALT SHINGLE UNDERLAYMENT SPECS - separate article
CLAY TILE ROOF SLOPE, DECK & UNDERLAY - separate article
WOOD ROOF SHEATHING, UNDERLAYMENT - separate article
Questions & Answers about when & where roofing felt underlayment is required
References

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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Roofing underlayment - roofing felt requirements: this article series discusses roofing felt: the requirements for use of an underlayment, such as roofing felt, tarpaper, or other underlayment products beneath asphalt shingles and other roofing materials. We also discuss the moisture permeability of roofing underlayments in hot humid climates.

Is Roofing Felt Underlayment Needed Under Roof Shingles, Tiles, Slate, Wood Shingles or Shakes?

Our photo (page top) shows felt underlayment in good condition as a worn out roof was being stripped. It looks as if the installer of asphalt roof shingles (still visible at below right but now worn out) may have placed roofing felt on top of a still older wood-shingle roof.

At left is a peel-and-stick mineral surfaced roofing underlayment shown during installation of a metal standing seam roof. Photo courtesy Galow Homes.

Also see these articles about using roofing felt or underlayments:
FELT UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
  ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES
  ASPHALT SHINGLE UNDERLAYMENT SPECS
  CLAY TILE ROOF SLOPE, DECK & UNDERLAY
  WOOD ROOF SHEATHING, UNDERLAYMENT

As stated in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

The roof deck should be sound and level before laying the underlayment. Fifteen-pound or heavier felt underlayment is required by code in some areas. Whether or not it is required, underlayment is cheap insurance against problems. There are several good reasons to install underlayment:

It protects the roof deck from rain before the roofing is installed.

It provides an extra weather barrier in case of blowoffs or water penetration through the roofing or flashings.

It protects the roofing from any resins that bleed out of the sheathing.

It helps prevent unevenness in the roof sheathing from telegraphing through the shingles.

It is usually required for the UL fire rating to apply (since shingles are usually tested with underlayment).

Our OPINION is that on new asphalt shingle, tile, fiber cement, slate, and many wood roofs, most roofing contractors apply an underlayment membrane of roofing felt ("tar paper"), or fiber-reinforced roofing felt. A special underlayment may be recommended by the manufacturers of specific roofing product and hybrid products.

Our photo (left) shows new felt underlayment in place during an asphalt shingle roof installation in New York.

While the requirement for felt underlayment beneath asphalt roof shingles seems to be a topic of almost timeless argument subject to much arm-waving and little reading of manufacturer's instructions and warranties, various sources recommend or require installation of a felt underlayment over the roof deck before asphalt roof shingles are installed.

Booth & Roberts reported at length on the uses of underlayments on asphalt shingle roofs, citing (quoting):

Asphalt shingle underlays are commonly used throughout North America. The National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA’s) definition of underlay(ment) includes some important functions:

To separate the roof covering from the roof deck
To shed water
To provide secondary weather protection

The authors point out that

"Resins from green lumber roof decks have been known to interact with roof shingles, and a separation layer of underlay can be useful. Underlays are quickly applied and they can provide temporary roofing before the roof shingles are installed. Underlays have remained intact after shingles have blown away, thereby providing temporary roofing [7]. Underlays provide secondary weather protection in ice-dam situations, when water backs up over the head-laps of shingles.

Other functions of underlays have been reported [8]. Two of the more important ones are air-flow resistance and moisture storage. Air-flow resistance reduces windblown water penetration from the outside and moist air penetration from the inside of a roof. Moisture storage provides temporary storage for small amounts of leak water, which subsequently evaporates in dry weather. We know of no experiments that quantify these advantages.

There are disadvantages to underlays. Felt materials can wrinkle and buckle, and these imperfections can telegraph through the finished shingle layer [8,9]. Peterson reported that underlays reduced the life of roof shingles in California due to heat build-up [10]. Explaining how an underlay will act as secondary weather protection when it has shingle nails through it every 8 inches (203 mm) or so can be a challenge.

The liquid water transmission test in ASTM D 4869 for asphalt felt underlayments for shingles [11] includes the following note: “Take care to ensure that the staples do not protrude at the front surface of the plywood board so as not to puncture the test specimen,” this is hardly realistic. Slipperiness and poor ultraviolet (UV)"

NRCA, Building Code, & Manufacturers Recommend or Require Felt Underlayments on Shingle Roofs

Booth & Roberts and other sources also report that underlayment is required or recommended below shingles. [Reference numbers are to references in the cited document.]

NRCA: NRCA recommends underlays on all shingle roof systems without exception [1]. A 1990 survey indicated that 79 percent of U.S. roofing contractors always used underlays [12].

Roof Warranty: The absence of underlays can invalidate some manufacturers’ warranties and roof system fire classifications [13].

Manufacturer's Requirements: typical requirements found in roof shingle manufacturer's installation instructions specify the use of underlayment:
Non-perforated, [Type I, No. 15] [Type II, no. 30], asphalt saturated felt complying with ASTM D 226, ASTM D 4869 or ASTM D 6757. - Oakridge Pro30™ shingle instructions.

Canadian building codes do not require general (full roof) underlays under roof shingles. Many Canadian roofing contractors use general underlays, while others do not. Typically, underlays are used more over wood plank roof decks and less over plywood. Underlays are more likely to be used on lower-sloped roof systems than on steeper sloped roofs. There also are provincial preferences, for example, Ontario roofing contractors tend to use underlays less than their neighbors in Québec.

Local building code requirements: here is an example from Coon Rapids, Minnesota

All dwellings, structures attached to dwellings, and all conditioned (heated and/or cooled) structures, require eave flashing to be installed at the eaves and extending on the roof to a point even with 24” past the inside wall line. This barrier shall consist of at least two layers of underlayment cemented together, or be a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet (many times referred to as ice dam protection or ice and water shield). It must be installed the full length of all valleys. On roof slopes of 2/12 to 4/12 the remainder of the roof shall be two layers of 15# felt (applied in shingle fashion), or 1 layer of ice dam protection. On 4/12 or greater slopes, the balance of the roof shall be one layer of 15# felt.

Five Best-Practices Reasons for Using Roofing Felt Underlayment

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction lists five good reasons to install roofing underlayment:

Roofing underlayment or felt protects the roof deck from rain before the roofing is installed.
Roofing underlayment or felt provides an extra weather barrier in case of blowoffs or water penetration through the roofing or flashings.
Roofing underlayment or felt protects the roofing from any resins that bleed out of the sheathing.
Roofing underlayment or felt helps prevent unevenness in the roof sheathing from telegraphing through the shingles.
Roofing underlayment or felt is usually required for the UL fire rating to apply (since shingles are usually tested with underlayment).

The roof deck should be sound and level before laying the underlayment. Fifteen-pound or heavier felt underlayment
is required by code in some areas. Whether or not it is required, underlayment is cheap insurance against problems.

See ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES for additional details on installing underlayment as leak-resistant flashing, including

  ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES
    Underlayment for Standard Slopes
    Underlayment on Low Slope Shingle Roofs
    Flashing in Freezing Climates

Details about the requirements and benefits of roofing underlayments are at these articles:

TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF

UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS on ROOFS
  ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES
    Underlayment for Standard Slopes
    Underlayment on Low Slope Shingle Roofs
    Flashing in Freezing Climates

Underlayment On Standard Slopes where Asphalt Roof Shingles are Installed

As stated in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

/BestPractices/Figure 2-2 (C) J Wiley, S Bliss On roofs with a slope of 4:12 or greater, use a single layer of 15 lb. asphalt-saturated felt, starting at the eaves and lapping upper courses over lower by a minimum of 2 inches. Vertical joints should lap a minimum of 4 inches and be offset by at least 6 feet in successive rows (see Figure 2-2 at left).

Secure each shingle course along seams and edges with enough corrosion-resistant nails to hold it in place until the roofing is installed.

In high-wind areas, apply fasteners a maximum of 36 inches on-center along overlaps.

For best protection against leaks, run felt 6 inches over ridges and hips, from each direction, and 6 inches up any adjoining walls. Valleys should be lined with a full width of roofing felt (or bituminous membrane) pushed tight into the valley so there is no slack.

Side courses of underlayment should run over the valley lining and extend 6 inches past its edge. (See ASPHALT SHINGLE VALLEY FLASHING or see page 59 in the printed text Best Practices Guide)

Underlayment Application of Asphalt Shingles on Low Slope Roofs

Continuing from from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

/BestPractices/Figure 2-3 (C) J Wiley, S Bliss Asphalt shingles can be used on roofs with a slope of 2:12 to 4:12 if double-coverage underlayment is used.

Start with a 19-inch strip of 15 lb. asphalt-saturated felt along the eaves, and lap succeeding courses by 19 inches as shown in Figure 2-3.

Wherever there is a possibility of ice or snow buildup or the backup of water from leaves or pine needles, install a self-adhering bituminous membrane along the eaves that extends up the roof to a point at least 36 inches inside the interior wall line.

An alternative approach, not widely used anymore, is to seal all laps in the lower courses of roofing felt with lap cement or asphalt plastic cement.

/BestPractices/Figure 2-4 (C) J Wiley, S Bliss In areas with extensive snowfall or windblown rain, the best protection against leakage is to cover the entire low-slope roof area with a bituminous membrane, as shown in Figure 2-4.

Vertical end laps should be at least 3 inches and horizontal laps 6 inches. If the roof changes to a steeper slope, for example, where a shed dormer joins the main roof, extend the membrane 12 to 18 inches up the main roof slope.

Bituminous membranes are self-healing around nail holes, and because they bond fully to the sheathing, any leaks that occur cannot spread. As a safeguard against expensive callbacks, many roofers now apply membrane to the entire surface of any roof with a slope of 4:12 or less.

Eaves Flashing Recommendations for Asphalt Shingle Roofs

The best defense against ice dams in cold climates is a so-called “cold roof,” consisting of high levels of ceiling insulation separated from the roof surface by a free-flowing vent space (see “Preventing Ice Dams,” page 97 in the printed text Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction).

/BestPractices/Figure 2-5 (C) J Wiley, S Bliss Where a cold roof cannot be achieved due to complex roof shapes, unvented roofs, or retrofit constraints, ice dams may form during severe winters, in some cases, causing pooled water to wet wall cavities and interior finishes.

Where adequate insulation and ventilation cannot be assured, self-adhering bituminous eaves flashing should be installed.

The membrane should go from the lower edge of the roof to a point at least 24 inches inside the interior wall line (Figure 2-5 at left).

Where two lengths of eaves flashing meet at a valley, run each across the valley, starting with the length from the roof with the lower slope or lesser height. The valley flashing should later lap over the eaves flashing.

Adapted/paraphrased with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.

...

Inadequacy of Roofing Felt as a Vapor Barrier for Asphalt Shingles in Hot Humid Climates?

A Building Sciences Corporation report also elaborates the usefulness of placing a vapor barrier on the roof deck below shingles in hot humid climates. BSC points out that: [some paraphrasing -DF]

Unvented roofs with asphalt shingles in hot humid climates require a vapor barrier between the asphalt shingles and the roof deck. This is because asphalt roofing materials store water from dew or rain. Thus asphalt shingles form a water reservoir not unlike wood shingle or shake roofs.

The report argues that this stored moisture is driven inwards [presumably as water vapor, not liquid water] when sun strikes the damp or wet roof surface, and it continues to argue that moisture is driven through vapor-permeable roofing paper, felt, and plywood or OSB roof decking, thus ultimately into the attic space

But unlike an asphalt shingle roof nailed [over felt] directly to a roof deck, a wood shingle or shake roof that has been installed using best practices includes a disposal path for water absorbed in the roof surface: an air space between the wood roofing and the roof deck, or the installation of wood roofing over spaced nailers or "skip sheathing".

In cool or temperate climates this does not present a problem because the combination of heavy wetting from due or rain i snot combined with solar heating at high outdoor temperatures, say the authors who go on to argue that that buckled roof shingles observed in the morning (caused by moisture migrating back up from the roof deck) relax during the day. But on an un-vented roof moisture driven inwards [through the shingles, roofing felt, and OSB or plywood roof decking] in hot humid climates, needs to be addressed.

This phenomenon can typically be ignored in climates other than hot humid climates because the combination of extensive dew formation and solar heating at high outside ambient temperatures is not common. In vented roofs, this is often manifested in the buckling of shingles early in the morning as the moisture migrates in to the roof deck sheathing and the joints close. This is followed by relaxation and opening up of the roof sheathing later in the day—the buckling disappears.

But in un-vented roofs in hot humid climates, the authors argue that water from the roof surface is drawn upwards in liquid form, by capillary action, between plies of overlapped shingle courses where it passes ultimately through the vapor barrier and through the roof decking to the roof cavity interior.

The driving force of moisture through the roof and into the building is by solar heating according to the authors.

[OPINION-DF: from exterior roof inspections at all times of day and seasons, we have not observed this time-related morning roof shingle buckling in the Northeastern U.S. nor in Florida, nor the Southwest, though the authors report the phenomenon. It is possible that the authors are not quite correct that daily buckling and relaxing of roof shingles can be ignored on a vented roof as harmless, since certainly the product is expected to remain flat, and flexing daily might reduce its anticipated wear life.]

With unvented roof assemblies, this inwardly driven moisture must be addressed. The preferred method is to prevent the moisture from entering the roof deck material via the installation of a vapor barrier.

[OPINION-DF: we argue at ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS that un-vented roofs are not a best building method in any climate.]

Asphalt shingles are quite impermeable to the passage of liquid water directly through them. However the geometry of their installation allows wicking at overlaps. This inwardly driven capillary water is the source for the wetting of the roofing underlayment and roof sheathing. The material properties of shingles change under elevated temperatures and moist conditions due to their hygroscopic nature. The large vapor pressures resulting from incident solar radiation and the changed material properties are sufficient to drive moisture inward through the shingles. Roofing felts or underlayments vary greatly in their permeability to water vapor; the typical underlayment used under asphalt shingles in residential construction is quite permeable.

[QUESTION-DF: we note that the test chamber constructed by BSC was itself in an enclosed, air-conditioned space, and that the underside of the test chamber roof was at least in part exposed to the air conditioning. It seems possible that the reduced humidity and lower temperatures on the "interior-side" of the test roof may have contributed to moisture behaviors that vary from what occurs in the field. Attics and under-roof spaces such as in an un-vented "hot roof" cathedral ceiling are certainly not exposed to cool dry conditioned air. BSC may have addressed this concern but we did not find it in the referenced article.

The conclusion of the BSC report is an argument for installation of an impermeable moisture barrier underneath roof shingles, perhaps in place of the traditional and permeable roofing felt.

[QUESTIONS-DF:

What are the differences between the test roof and a roof's behavior in the field?
How does the impermeable moisture barrier under roof remain impermeable when perforated by shingle nails or staples? What will be the market effects of suggesting entire roofs be underlaid first with a moisture barrier unaffected by roof shingle fasteners such as ice and water shield?
Why not recommend that all roofs and roof cavities include ventilation in their design, not only solving the possible driven-moisture problem discussed by BSC but also providing for longer shingle life (cooler roof surface) and in cooling climates, possibly reduced building cooling costs?]

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

"The Uses and Performance Requirements of Steep-Slope Roof Underlays in North America and the United Kingdom", Robert J. Booth, Keith Roberts, Proceedings of the North American Conference on Roofing Technology, p. 112-118 - Web Search 07/12/2010. This scholarly article cites 33 research articles on the role of roofing underlayments.
"Unvented Roofs, Hot- Humid Climates, and Asphalt Roofing Shingles Research Report - 0306 Feb-2003 Building Science Corporation", Building Science Corporation, 30 Forest Street, Somerville, MA 02143
Quoting from the article abstract: "When constructing unvented roofs with asphalt shingles in hot-humid climates, a vapor barrier must be installed between the asphalt shingles and the roof deck." - Web Search 5/21/2010
NRCA Roofing & Waterproofing Manual, 5th Edition, National Roofing Contractors Association, 10255 W. Higgins Road Suite 600 Rosemont, IL 60018-5607 Telephone: (847) 299-9070 Toll Free: (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722), e-mail: info@nrca.net. - http://www.nrca.net/rp/pubstore/details.aspx?id=243&c=9
Asphalt Shingle Roofing [Inspection & Installation Guide], Coon Rapids Minnesota, Coon Rapids City Hall 11155 Robinson Drive Coon Rapids, MN 55433 763-755-2880, - Web search 07/12/2010 City Website - http://www.ci.coon-rapids.mn.us/ Contact the City of Coon Rapids at 763-755-2880
Oakridge Pro30™ shingle installation instructions for Owens Corning Oakridge® PRO 30™ fiber glass-based asphalt shingles - Web Search 07/12/2010
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication
Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for this article. All rights and contents are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
Architectural elements: the technological revolution: Galvanized iron roof plates and corrugated sheets; cast iron facades, columns, door and window caps, ... (American historical catalog collection), Diana S Waite, available used out of Amazon.
Asphalt Roofing Residential Manual,
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
Built-Up Roof Systems, Manual, C.W. Griffin, Mcgraw-Hill (Tx); 2nd edition (July 1982), ISBN-10: 0070247838, ISBN-13: 978-0070247833
Concrete Folded Plate Roofs, C. Wilby PhD BSc CEng FICE FIStructE (Author), Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998, ISBN-10: 0340662662, ISBN-13: 978-0340662663
Concrete Shell Roofs, C. Wilby PhD BSc CEng FICE FIStructE (Author),
Concrete Dome Roofs (Longman Concrete Design and Construction Series),
Concrete Roofing Tile, History of the, Batsford, 1959, AISN B000HLLOUC (availble used)
Copper Roofing, by CDA
Copper Roofing, Master specifications for copper roofing and sheet metal work in building construction: Institutional, commercial, industrial, I.E. Anderson, 1961 (hard to find)
Corrugated Iron, Building on the Frontier, Simon Holloway
Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide, Edmund C. Snodgrass, Lucie L. Snodgrass, Timber Press, Incorporated, 2006, ISBN-10: 0881927872, ISBN-13: 978-0881927870. The text covers moisture needs, heat tolerance, hardiness, bloom color, foliage characteristics, and height of 350 species and cultivars.
Green Roof Construction and Maintenance, Kelley Luckett, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2009, ISBN-10: 007160880X, ISBN-13: 978-0071608800, quoting: Key questions to ask at each stage of the green building process Tested tips and techniques for successful structural design Construction methods for new and existing buildings Information on insulation, drainage, detailing, irrigation, and plant selection Details on optimal soil formulation Illustrations featuring various stages of construction Best practices for green roof maintenance A survey of environmental benefits, including evapo-transpiration, storm-water management, habitat restoration, and improvement of air quality Tips on the LEED design and certification process Considerations for assessing return on investment Color photographs of successfully installed green roofs Useful checklists, tables, and charts
Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
Historic Slate Roofs : With How-to Info and Specifications, Tina Skinner (Ed), Schiffer Publishing, 2008, ISBN-10: 0764330012 , ISBN-13: 978-0764330018
Low Slope Roofing, Manual of, 4th Ed., C.W. Griffin, Richard Fricklas, McGraw-Hill Professional; 4 edition, 2006, ISBN-10: 007145828X, ISBN-13: 978-0071458283
- Roof failure causes in depth (and specific methods for avoiding them)
- Roof design fundamentals and flourishes, based on voluminous industry research and experience
- New technologies and materials -- using them safely and correctly
- Comprehensive coverage of all major roofing systems pecifications, inspection, and maintenance tools for roofing work
Metal Roofing, an Illustrated Guide, R.A. Knowlton , [metal shingle roofs],
Patio Roofs, how to build, Sunset Books
Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)
Roofing The Right Way, Steven Bolt, McGraw-Hill Professional; 3rd Ed (1996), ISBN-10: 0070066507, ISBN-13: 978-0070066502
Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)
Roof Tiling & Slating, a Practical Guide, Kevin Taylor, Crowood Press (2008), ISBN 978-1847970237,
If you have never fixed a roof tile or slate before but have wondered how to go about repairing or replacing them, then this is the book for you. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.
This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided. The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers.
The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).
Slate Roofing in Canada (Studi4es in archaeology, architecture, and history),
Smart Guide: Roofing: Step-by-Step Projects, Creative Homeowner (Ed), 2004, ISBN-10: 1580111491, ISBN-13: 978-1580111492
Solar heating, radiative cooling and thermal movement: Their effects on built-up roofing (United States. National Bureau of Standards. Technical note), William C Cullen, Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Print. Off (1963), ASIN: B0007FTV2Q
Tile Roofs of Alfred: A Clay Tradition in Alfred NY
"Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
Wood Shingle Roofs, Care and Maintenance of wood shingle and shake roofs (EC), Stanley S. Niemiec (out of print)
...


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