Like a good hairstyle, roofing is a log cabin’s crowning glory. It finishes off its look perfectly.
But it not only has to look good. It has to be strong enough to withstand the test of time – and the British weather!
There’s little point in investing a lot of money and time in having the perfect log cabin if it isn’t properly protected by the roof covering.
So making the right choice is paramount.
Invariably, good value for money, water resistance and not having to be replaced often are high on the list of priorities.
Of the choices available, roofing felt, bitumen felt shingles and EPDM rubber roofing are the most popular to consider.
Roofing Felt
For log cabins with flat or sloping roofs
Cheapest of the options
- A common roof covering for most garden buildings
- Good waterproofing material
- Lightweight
- Repairable – easy to torch a new felt patch over the worn or torn area
- Prone to weather damage: can warp out of shape in hot temperatures, fade and weaken in prolonged sunshine and become brittle in winter
- Life expectancy of 5 years
Click here for handy video: How to Install Roofing Felt on a Log Cabin Roof
Bitumen Felt Shingles
For log cabin roofs where there is a pitch of 15 degrees or more (not suitable for flat roofs)
Great value for money
- Offer premium protection
- Thicker, stronger and longer lasting than roofing felt
- Attractive roof finish – choice of colours available, ie. green, red, charcoal, brown
- Choice of shapes available, ie. hexagonal, rectangular, square
- Durable and hardwearing
- Waterproof
- Adhesive layer on the back that sticks the layers together and makes them more wind resistant
- Absorb the sound of rain
- Low maintenance
- Good life expectancy of around 15-20 years
- Easy to fit by nailing to the roof boards, staggering and overlapping each row on top of each other
- For additional weatherproofing, a standard under felt can be installed prior to fitting the shingles
Click here for handy video: How to Install Shingles on a Log Cabin Roof
EPDM Rubber Roofing
For log cabins with flat roofs and very shallow sloping roofs with a slope of less than approximately 10 degrees
Used in the commercial industry for over 50 years
- Synthetic rubber roofing membrane that will keep your building water tight and protected
- Comes in a grey/black rubber
- Applied to the roof in one piece so there are no joins to worry about, eliminating the risk of leaks developing in weathered or badly sealed felt joints
- Great value for money – economical when compared to re-felting every few years
- Very durable – will not crack or perish
- Good life expectancy of typically 30-50 years
- Naturally repels water and resists even the worst of weather conditions
- Ozone and UV stable so nonperishable
- Naturally breathable allowing vapours to escape and preventing blisters
- Virtually maintenance free
- Easy to fit:
- Order covering size and tub of special EPDM glue
- Apply the paste to the roof boards
- Simply roll out the rubber roof
- Brush out any air pockets
- Nail down the sides of the rubber directly onto the timbers at the side of the roof
Click here for handy video: How to Install EPDM Rubber Roofing on a Log Cabin Roof
