Leaving roofing felt exposed for a week before shingles?

Big Wave D · Jun 18, 2011

Synthetic felt that I bought from a box store chain says it's good for 6 months exposed. Since it is like Tyvek in many ways, I'd imagine it could easily go longer. A week would be nothing.

As for tar paper, go with the 30#, use the plastic cap nails, and 50# or better fish line on the bottom row of nails. Get the piece tacked into place, stretch the fish line across the bottom of the felt nice and tight, then 'cover' fish line with plastic cap, alternate nailing above and below the line with the nails as you go across, keeps the line properly situated.

I've seen several roofs last through some very nasty Midwest winters with high winds and not a leak in sight the whole time.

Good luck with finishing your project.

Gordon Gould · Jun 18, 2011

Put down the felt. You are smart to protect your sheathing.
Use lath or those round metal things ( look like tin can tops ) to hold it down in the wind. It will wrinkle some - no problem. As you shingle smooth the felt as you work. Use your roofing knife to cut around some of the nails to free it and flatten it. Or just nail down the wrinkles if they are small. Or cut slits in the wrinkles along their ridge, The joint will over lap when flattened. Don't be fussy. The felt is mainly for a wind barrier and to provide a nailing bed under your shingles it doesn't need to be leak proof once the shingles are on.

JDgreen227 · Jun 18, 2011

studor said:
Are you putting down ice and water shield too? Expensive but it goes down fast and nothing bothers it nee a coule of rows of it at the eaves and valleys anyway -JMHO

I will say THAT STUFF IS EXPENSIVE and I cannot imagine using it for any purpose other than where it is intended to go. 30# felt will work well, as for me, when I have to leave sheathing uncovered, I just use my collection of big blue tarps tacked down with firring strips as a temporary water barrier. They can be re used a dozen times and are very tear resistant.