Wooden garden buildings will need some kind of roof covering, such as roof shingles, to protect them against the elements. Whether it be a summerhouse, log cabin, garden shed or gazebo, as an outdoor structure, it will need weatherproofing. This will protect it against leaks and damage to the roof boards, ensuring it will last longer and keep your belongings safe and dry.
The most cost effective and popular roof coverings are roof felt or roof shingles. Here is some advice on how to make sure you opt for the correct one for your garden building. You need to make sure that it gives good protection and matches your needs, budget, and roof style.
Roof Shingles or Roof Felt?
When it comes to choosing the roof covering for your building, the options available may be determined by the type of structure you have and its properties.
Roof Shingles are usually used on structures with thicker roof boards, as they require longer nails than felt to secure them in place. The timber needs to be thick enough to fix the nails into. This means roof shingles may not always be suitable, but are most likely the best option in situations where they are.
The pitch of the roof is also something that needs to be considered. It is important that it slopes enough to allow rain to roll down so it doesn’t get caught in between the shingles. Pools of water trapped for a prolonged amount of time can cause damage to the roof that could lead to leaks.
Appearance
It may be a matter of preference on looks or style you want to create. Think about the whole look you are trying to achieve. Roof shingles allow for customisation of your garden space, often coming with options of different shapes and in a range of colours. With their tile-like appearance, they will give your garden building an attractive and more decorative feel.
The addition of roof shingles will really add to its appeal to create an elegant looking feature in your garden, and give the neighbours something to envy. You can also think about the colour options available for paints and wood preservatives so you can match or complement the finished look.
Durability
Felt is often seen as the low cost option, while shingles are more durable and hard-wearing than felt so generally have a longer lifespan. This is due to the materials used and the process in which they are made. Shingles are a sturdy and long lasting roofing material that add a high quality finish, and are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions.
Roof shingles are versatile and lightweight, making them ideal for use on a garden building.
Made from a flexible material, they are relatively easy to install, though it may take a bit of time if you do not have DIY experience in this area. However, it is well worth it for the end result. They are generally low maintenance and will last the test of time.
Roof Shingles Options
The roof covering options available at Dunster House vary between products, depending on the particular building or model. Roof shingles come in traditional black rectangular tiles.
The roof shingles we supply are made from high grade glass fibre based bitumen, which gives high durability. For extra protection, a thick waterproof plastic membrane is also provided, where necessary, to go underneath the shingles. It is not needed on buildings with a high enough roof pitch that allows water to run off. All clout nails needed to affix the shingles are also supplied in the kit.
Now you can choose the best option to suit your roofing project. But whether you are using roof felt or roof shingles on your garden building, the important thing is to ensure the roof covering is well maintained. Check it regularly for any signs of damage, and repair or replace as necessary. This will ensure your building will stay protected and last longer. Because no matter how high quality your outdoor wooden building, without adequate protection it will deteriorate at a much quicker rate.
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