Best Roofing Materials for Backyard Sheds

Posted By Cathy Scholes On 10-04-2019

Below, are some of the most popular roofing materials for backyard sheds that you may want to consider before deciding on which roofing material to go with.

Roofing Felt

You can purchase roofing felt in rolls that are generally sold in 36 inches wide by 12 feet long rolls. They are also usually sold by weight, which will indicate just how thick the felt material is. Most stores will sell the rolls in weights of 90, 30, and 15 pounds respectively. Deciding on whether to go with a thicker felt may be difficult for some; this is because a thicker felt will provide superior protection against the elements, but will also be more difficult to work with.

As such, if you are inexperienced with roofing felt then it may be in your best interest if you use a more manageable and thinner roofing felt. Furthermore, as far as price is concerned, roofing felt is one of the most affordable roofing materials on the market for backyard sheds, so it is highly recommended if you are on a tight budget. Also, while roofing felt is generally easy to install, affordable, and protects against the elements thanks to its material coating, it has a relatively brief lifespan, and nails may also leak water in some cases.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are yet another roofing material that you can use for your backyard shed. However, in order to use them, you must already have roofing felt installed above the wood of your roof. However, if you are willing to invest in asphalt shingles then the double layering will actually provide superior protection against the weather and will make your roof stronger as well. Asphalt shingles are also one of the most commonly used roofing materials on the market, and by selecting asphalt shingles for your backyard shed you can ensure that the roof of your shed will match the roof of your home if desired.

One of the biggest advantages of asphalt shingles is their longevity. Unlike roofing felt, which is notorious for its short lifespan, asphalt shingles can last as long as 3 decades in some cases. As such, their value is unrivaled when it comes to roofing materials for backyard sheds. However, asphalt shingles aren’t perfect. That is, they are vulnerable to impact damage, and they do require some roofing expertise in order to be used properly or to enjoy their maximum effect. Also, as mentioned, asphalt shingles can only be used if there is already a felt underlayment installed if you want to enjoy comprehensive waterproofing.

Concrete and Clay Tiles

Clay tiles were commonly used in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, and are still used in some parts of Europe to this day. However, concrete tiles are the modern counterpart to clay tiles and can help make a roof become very durable as well as long-lasting. However, one of the biggest concerns with both concrete and clay tiles is that they’re both very heavy. As such, if you are thinking of using clay or concrete tiles for your backyard shed’s roof then you will need to first install a very strong subsurface in order to sustain the extra weight.

However, the added effort may be well worth it, as both concrete and clay tiles are known for being very appealing, visually. There are also many colours and styles to choose from, though they can be expensive. In addition, clay and concrete tiles are fireproof and also very energy efficient, so the extra upfront costs may be worth it in the long run. However, the tiles are also known for being quite fragile, so if they are hit by something or stepped on then they will likely break.

Wood Shingles

Wood has been used in the form of wood shingles for countless centuries over the ages. In fact, wood shingles are still commonly used in many parts of the world for roofing proposes. They are made with either western red cedar, pine, cedar, or redwood. Wood shingles are also highly recommended if your roof has a steep pitch, and wood shingles are also very visually appealing. However, they are not perfect, as they are vulnerable to fires.

Since they’re not very fire resistant you will need to treat the shingles with an anti-flame retardant. You will also need to consult with your local authorities to ensure that you can legally install wood shingles for any type of structure. Fire codes will vary from region to region so it makes sense to ask before you begin working on your roof. Interestingly, wood shingles are cooler than most of the roofing materials on the market today, and they are also manufactured from a renewable natural resource. However, because wood shingles are made with wood they will eventually rot and decay over time.

Rubber Roofing Shingles

Today, rubber roofing shingles are a very popular choice for backyard sheds. They can also be manipulated or modified to look like other forms of roofing, such as shakes, slates, or tiles. Also, while they can be altered to appear like tiles, shakes, or slates, they are, in reality much lighter than the roofing forms that they are trying to aesthetically emulate. Also, because rubber roofing shingles are much lighter than most other roofing materials, you won’t need to build a stronger sub-structure, which would be a requirement if you were to, say, use ceramic tiles instead.

Furthermore, most rubber roofing shingles are made with recycled materials, such as discarded tires, so they are great for the environment. They are also inexpensive, but their colour will fade over time, and, because they are a relatively new product, information on their longevity is currently unavailable.

If you would like to purchase premium quality roofing materials for your backyard shed at a consumer-friendly price, then give us a call at 1-844-212-1284 or visit our website. We currently service Southern Ontario and the GTA.

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