Three Good Reasons to Choose EPDM Over Felt for Shed Roofs

Summer is here and thousands of UK residents have already begun preparing the garden to enjoy the weather. While unpacking the garden furniture, many will undoubtedly have cast an eye over the shed roof and added felt replacement to the growing list of summer jobs. 

Before replacing failed felt for more felt (again), it may be time to explore a more modern, high-performance approach. EPDM brings a wide range of benefits compared to felt for shed roofs - and we’re here to highlight three of the best.

The trouble with roofing felt

Traditional roofing felt has typically been the first thought for shed roofs for many decades in the UK. Well known for being a relatively cheap, short-term solution, today’s shed owner is looking for more – cost vs. value, recyclable waste, minimum installation effort and longer-term performance. 

As the price of all renovation materials creeps up, more of us are examining everything more closely. We’re weighing up the costs comprehensively, looking at the bigger, long-term picture. This is one of the biggest reasons that felt is losing its appeal for sheds in particular.

Why choose EPDM for your shed roof?

EPDM membranes have soared in popularity in recent years for the domestic market but have been delivering reliable waterproofing since the 1970s on commercial buildings all over the world. Proven in a wide range of climates and situations, RubberCover EPDM is among the highest performers and is now highly accessible to DIY. 

Fast and Easy to Fit 

RubberCover EPDM can be cut to remarkably large sheet sizes – up to 15m x 60m – in a single piece. For the domestic DIY market this is a game-changer for a number of reasons. No joins across the installation means no vulnerable areas – at all. Just a single, seamless sheet of high-performance membrane protecting the shed roof deck.

EPDM is highly durable, lightweight and flexible, making it super-easy to handle during installation. Unlike many types of shed roof felt, EPDM requires NO hot glues or flames to install, but instead utilises a cold-applied (liquid water-based or spray bonding) adhesive, making it safer for DIY.

Exceptional Service Life Expectancy

There is simply no comparison between the life expectancy and performance of felt and EPDM. Because of its manufacture and the vulcanisation process, EPDM membrane gains a remarkable durability and flexibility that protects from UV and ozone. These elements, in addition to temperature extremes, affect tar paper and bituminous felt coverings adversely, causing them to degrade, bubble and crack. EPDM is highly resistant to weathering and can enjoy an extended service life as a result. 

Currently predicted at over 50-years, based on worldwide field testing, EPDM is unmatched in life expectancy. For shed roofs, this often means that the EPDM will outlive the shed itself, and this is why we include a Lifetime Membrane guarantee with our range of shed roof kits. 

Available in a Complete Shed Roof Kit

PermaRoof UK developed our range of complete shed roof kits to make DIY replacement super-fast and easy. We include every standard shed size to make ordering simple – simply select the shed size from the dropdown and we’ll do the rest. 

Buying a complete EPDM kit guarantees no under- or overbuying. All you need to do is measure carefully (length and width) and choose the right size. We hand-cut the membrane with a little extra for overhang and pack your kit with enough adhesive and sealant. No waste, no fuss.

Ready for a change?

If you’ve grown tired of patching shed roofing or throwing out damaged garden furniture, maybe its time for a change. Swap EPDM for your go-to felt and you really won’t look back. Browse our range of shed roof kits here. If you can’t find your size, we provide a cut-to-any-size option here.

This is an updated version of a popular blog post from 2020. To read the original version, please click here.