Roll roofing, bottom line, is not a very durable nor a high quality roofing material. However, in budget operations or non-critical locations, it is sometimes used -- often on lower sloped roofs because it is cheap and more suitable for that application than conventional shingles. It is quite common on shed style roofs or garages. I am always concerned and look for problems when I find a home with an addition that is roll roofing, often it is being used on nearly flat surfaces. Even at it's best, roll roofing only lasts a few years. The photo below shows roll roofing, over a porch, that has installation problems and granular deterioration. It has numerous exposed nail heads which is an installation problem. You will see that it has been torn or deteriorated so rain is now able to run down onto the structural wood below. In my view, there is a place for roll roofing, but it is on non-critical out buildings that are built on a budget, where the budget is a primary concern. Woodsheds and chicken coops come to mind.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Amen to that Steven. Rolled roofing is certainly a low cost budgetary item. Just a little bit better than installing waxed paper...
Michael,
I hate to see it used on anything other than a shed.
Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and the like, sure have kept contractors in business once the weekend do-it-yourselfers are done "saving a buck".
Some materials simply aren't worth the waste of natural resources----roll roofing is one of them
Well the vote is all against rolled roofing and I'm not going to change it. I really hate the stuff, even on sheds and chicken coops.
Works on outhouses and inhouses!
So you recommend roll roofing for the new chicken coop I'm building?
Hi Steve,
I have never heard of roll roofing. What comes to mind is material that comes on a roll like linoleum does. Is that correct?
Jim,
Nutsy favors the material on his houses.
Tony,
Yes it comes in a roll. Looks like the same material as comp shingles, but a big roll.
Not only is it garbage, but it is usually installed poorly. I find exposed nail heads on almost every roll roof I inspect.