Re-Felting A Shed Roof ......

[Gizmonster]

Roof getting a bit tatty now - I recently had to stick a piece back on, that blew off with the high winds (that seems like aaaaages ago now with all this recent warm weather).
The shed itself is around 10 years old and is in quite good condition, as we regularly repaint it.

Anyway - on to my question:
I want to re-felt the whole roof and I'm wondering is there any reason why I couldn't simply nail some new felt on top of the existing felt??
I would like to keep the existing felt, to act as an extra layer of protection, but am I missing something obvious as to why I shouldn't do??
The felt is a bit tatty, but is still fairly waterproof and I'll be simply putting extra felt on top, held in place with roofing clout nails.
I really don't want the hassle of having to strip the roof; but I will if I have to :(
Any advice please??

[tonyav]

Interesting points of view here, Giz. An American site, some say yes some say no.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f15/okay-leave-old-felt-53597/

[Old_Geezer]

Leave the north side on, and strip to replace the south side; tell us how you got on in about 12 months.

[jno]

I'd leave it on, unless you've any reason to suppose the roof underneath it is not in good condition.

[Gizmonster]

//// I'd leave it on, unless you've any reason to suppose the roof underneath it is not in good condition. ////
.... that's exactly what I'm thinking.

From the inside of the shed, the wooden slats seem fine, apart from 2 next to the door, where the felt has come away and has exposed the slats, so they've rotted a bit. I can also see bits of the slats through bits of the tatty felt and the bits I can see look okay.

Just in case it makes any difference, the shed is 8' x 6' and its roof is like an inverted V - similar to the one in this picture:
https://www.sheds.co.uk/adley-5-x-7-windowless-overlap-apex-shed.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw-dXaBRAEEiwAbwCi5vZ5AVLRXjVGQL2U-nOWG7-L-VuT1BGztlHAggjFI60dUDehYoYDrRoCyfkQAvD_BwE

[Jennykenny]

For the past eight years I have just been adding layers to my shed roof. It seems happy enough.

[Eleena]

If you take the existing felt off, you can expose and make good any wood that needs replacing making it last quite a few more years ... and it would be a more thorough job.

[waterboatman]

When I did mine a couple of years ago, I stripped the old one off, to check all the boards for any damage of any kind. All was well so put the new felt on. I don't know of any reason why you can't leave the old felt on if you wish. Just make sure you don't put the nails in on the old ones!

[Eleena]

Doesn't old felt tend to go brittle and crack easy, I'd rather start afresh.

[1ozzy]

I've never seen a shed with a timber slat roof covered with felt.
Most are galvanised iron or colourbond down here, terracotta or concrete tiles if you're posh.

What's the reason for timber and felt?

[waterboatman]

It's common here oz and cheaper!

[Eleena]

Yes we're common here lol. It's the way we roll :0)

[waterboatman]

Nice one lina! :-D

[1ozzy]

Other way round down under, timber sheds are much more expensive to buy and maintain.

[Eleena]

I actually prefer wood to be honest. I'm not sure galvanised would do well in our Manchester rain.

[Eleena]

I think there's drawbacks to each. I 've looked at plastic (warping)... wood ( maintenance) ... galvanised (rust?)

[Eleena]

It's a hard life isn't it ;0)

[waterboatman]

Decisions decisions, all the time decisions already! :o}

[bhg481]

Have you considered using corrugated bitumen? I did our two sheds with it in 2009 and it's still going strong. I was fed up with felt and this is more permanent. The old felt was in good condition, so I put the bitumen over it and I've had no problems.

[Gizmonster]

Thanks for all the replies :)

Mind made up now - def going to just stick some new felt on top, after replacing any wood that needs replacing. I'm getting some good thick felt, so hoping it'll last at least another 10 years :)

[murraymints]

if you are sure there is no damage to the fabric of the building, lay atop ! I thought the felt that was put on by my shed builders was too thin so had an extra, thicker layer put on...remember to baton it sufficiently so as to avoid high winds flapping and damage