How to Roof with Rolled Roofing

To correctly cover a roof with rolled roofing, you first need to determine which type of rolled roofing is suitable for your home.

Why We Choose Rolled Roofing

If you ask which roofing material is the best, 9 out of 10 people will answer: rolled roofing. Those who decide to cover their roof with rolled roofing have made the right choice.

Roofing with rolled roofing is a traditional material for flexible roofing. It has always performed its assigned tasks well and continues to do so.

Roofing with rolled roofing allows for fast, easy, and effective protection against precipitation. Moreover, a rolled roofing layer can last up to 40 years, and often even longer.

Today, the market offers both traditional and completely new materials – European rolled roofing, or more accurately, polymer-bitumen membranes.

Types of Rolled Roofing

Traditional Insulated Rolled Roofing

By traditional insulated rolled roofing, we mean cardboard coated on both sides with a dense bitumen layer. This material lacks a bitumen modifier, resulting in insufficient strength. In contrast, rolled roofing based on fiberglass is significantly stronger.

European Rolled Roofing

This type of roofing, replacing traditional materials, is now widely used in all types of construction. Its structure resembles traditional rolled roofing, but the manufacturing process is entirely different.

Thanks to modern production techniques, rolled roofing gains entirely new mechanical and physical properties such as flexibility, strength, resistance to high temperatures, and aging.

The top layer of European rolled roofing is coated with a special aggregate, most commonly granite or basalt. The bottom layer is covered with a thin anti-adhesion film. This film prevents the rolled roofing from sticking together when rolled up. Moreover, during installation, this film acts as a regulator: once it melts, you know the bitumen has reached the correct temperature.

The quality of any rolled roofing type is indicated by its weight—this shows how much bitumen is contained. The heavier the material, the higher its quality.

Self-adhesive Rolled Roofing

This is a completely new type of traditional rolled roofing. It's no surprise it's considered a new generation. The adhesive properties of this material activate under solar heat, enabling fast, effortless, and cost-efficient installation.

Installation Process

Anyone, even if their hands aren't naturally skilled, can install rolled roofing independently and even alone. It's not difficult if you follow installation rules and understand key details that significantly affect results.

Base Preparation

Properly preparing the base for rolled roofing is crucial. Remove all debris: trash, construction materials, dirt, and dust.

The surface must be leveled, eliminating major height differences or dents. This is done using a screed no thicker than 1 cm. Never skip checking with a level (laser or hydro-level).

It's ideal if you use strings to set guide marks—this makes screeding much easier. Another key point: the surface must be completely dry.

Application of Mastics

Proceed to another critical step—roofing with rolled roofing. Apply the mastic. This can be done with a brush or roller, depending on roof area.

Do not immediately lay the rolled roofing. Let the applied mastic set slightly on the surface. The setting time is on the container, but adjust it based on air temperature and humidity.

Preparing the Rolled Roofing

To avoid difficulties during installation, let the material sit flat for 24 hours. If not possible, simply rewind the roll in reverse.

Laying the Rolled Roofing

Our mastic has dried, so we can begin laying the rolled roofing. To achieve a quality roof, apply two layers. Use non-aggregate rolled roofing for the first layer, and aggregate-coated for the second.

Start roofing from the lowest point. This ensures upper sheets overlap lower ones, protecting joints from water penetration—even sealed sheets aren’t always fully waterproof.

The second layer must be laid with a half-sheet offset so the seam of the lower layer lies in the middle of the upper sheet.

Adhering the Rolled Roofing

Begin the final stage: securing the roofing. Use a gas torch to heat the rolled roofing and mastic in 25–35 cm sections.

A film is placed on the roofing; it turns white and burns during heating—this signals the roofing is ready for adhesion. Heat the area, attach it to the mastic, and roll it with a specialized roller.

If deep depressions exist on the surface, it’s impossible to roll them properly. Over time, condensation will form, damaging the roofing. Therefore, emphasize again: the surface must be properly prepared before installation.

If surface imperfections can't be avoided, press the roofing firmly with any available tools, including your hands in gloves. This rule must be strictly followed—material must lie as flat as possible against the base.

Important Tips for Installation

When pipes, shafts, or chimneys are present on the roof, the roofing must be cut so pieces overlap in a lap. If this isn't possible for some reason, cover the area with multiple strips of rolled roofing.

It's crucial to firmly attach the roofing to the roof edge. Perform this step carefully—otherwise, wind may tear it off. For greater reliability, secure the edge with metal or wooden battens.

Now you know how to cover a roof with rolled roofing—it’s not complicated. When all steps are correctly followed, the roof will look elegant and its protective layer will serve faithfully against weather.