Can Roof Felt Be Painted?

9/15/2022

can roof felt be painted Painting a house can be a fun family project and can give your home the upgrade your family has been dreaming of. But if you are planning to paint the house from top to bottom, you may be wondering: can you paint roof felt?

The simple answer is yes, roof felt can be painted. Let’s discuss more about the purpose of roofing felt and the best kinds of roof felt paint.

What Is Roofing Felt?

Roofing felt, also known as underlayment, is a layer of tar paper installed under the roof’s shingles. It is made from natural materials such as wood cellulose, fiberglass, or polyester.

It acts as a backup waterproof membrane by providing additional protection in case of leakage. It repels water during heavy storms that can cause moisture to get trapped between the shingles and wood of your roof deck. Trapped moisture can lead to water damage, leaks, or even mold.

How Much Roofing Felt Is Necessary?

Roofing felt is especially important when the roof is without shingles for a period. When a house is newly constructed and the roofers have yet to install the shingles, felt will give the roof protection from rain, snow, ice, or high winds.

All roofs have felt. At a minimum, a roof with asphalt shingles should be completely covered with one layer of felt or underlayment. However, some contractors believe roofing felt is also important when second or third layers of asphalt shingles are installed. Check your state’s building code to make sure your building standards are up to date.

How to Paint Roofing Felt

Painting roofing felt is not difficult; however, you should expect some changes to its composition. Roofing felt is very porous and can get stuck in paint. Moreover, it can cause the color to bleed.

Before painting the roof felt, make sure to prime the felt with a good primer. This well help prevent the material from becoming too porous. As the felt holds onto the paint, it may become stiff. It can also cause the color to change its texture.

When using a rough brush to apply the paint, don’t rub too much or the paint may look scruffy. If the roofing felt gets too harsh, it can feel uncomfortable to touch and the appearance will be affected.

What Paint Can I Use on Roofing Felt?

Because roofing felt is sensitive, you cannot use just any paint. Here are some of the best paint types to use when painting felt:

· Acrylic paint — When using acrylic paint, you might have to repeat the process several times to get the desired results.

· Fabric paint – If you use fabric paint, use a squeeze bottle to ensure that the color doesn’t get stuck to the felt.

· Spray paint – The process of spray painting felt is rather easy. The felt will eventually loosen up once you have used the color.

Speak to Experts at CertainTeed for All of Your Roofing Needs

With any roofing job, there are potential dangers that could occur. If not careful, there could be serious damage. Make sure to use safety best practices and contact a professional for advice. When painting the roofing felt, remember to do the following:

· Coat the felt with a good primer.

· Get the right paint and use proper technique.

· If necessary, loosen the felt.

If you’re in the Cincinnati area, contact ABC Roofing Company for high-quality roofing products and services. Whether you’re looking to paint your roofing felt, fix broken shingles, or replace an existing roof, our team of experienced professionals can get the job done safely and quickly.

Contact us directly to discuss your roofing needs.