By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Rolled roofing installation means fastening 36-inch-wide rolls of mineral-surfaced asphalt across a clean, dry deck from the eave up, overlapping each course and sealing every lap with cement, on a slope of at least 1 inch per foot. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association’s Residential Asphalt Roofing Manual allows the exposed nail method down to 2:12 and the concealed nail and double coverage (half lap) methods down to 1:12. HomeGuide’s 2026 cost guide puts installed roll roofing at $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot, and it suits sheds, garages and porches rather than the main roof of a house. If you are new to the material, start with what rolled roofing is and where it works.
The method you choose (exposed nail, concealed nail, or double coverage) sets the minimum slope, the lap widths and whether any nail heads sit in the weather. ARMA’s manual says to use the concealed nail method “when maximum service life is an important consideration.”
Which roll roofing installation method should you use?
Match the method to your roof slope first, then to how long you need it to last. Exposed nail is fastest but leaves nail heads in the weather. Concealed nail hides every fastener under the next course. Double coverage, also called half lap or 19 inch selvage roll roofing, puts two layers over almost the whole roof. Under IRC R905.5.2, mineral-surfaced roll roofing may not be applied below 1:12 at all.
| If your roof slope is | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Below 1:12 (under 1 inch per foot) | Not roll roofing. Use a low-slope membrane such as modified bitumen, EPDM or TPO | ARMA manual; IRC R905.5.2 |
| 1:12 to under 2:12 | Concealed nail or double coverage (19 inch selvage, 17 inch exposure). Not exposed nail | ARMA manual Chapter 14; TAMKO 19″ Selvedge data sheet (1 inch per foot minimum) |
| 1:12 to 2:12 over living space | Double coverage, fully cemented laps | ARMA: double coverage “provides an additional layer of waterproofing” |
| 2:12 or steeper, shed or carport you may replace soon | Exposed nail is allowed; concealed nail if you want longer service | ARMA manual Chapter 14 |
| Using a product with its own minimum (e.g. GAF Mineral Guard, TAMKO Slate Surfaced) | Follow the wrapper: both are labeled for 2:12 and steeper | GAF product page; TAMKO application instructions |
| 4:12 or steeper on a house | Asphalt shingles are an option and usually the better look | ARMA: standard shingle application from 4:12 |
| Method | Minimum slope | Top lap | End lap | Nailing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed nail | 2:12 | 2 in | 6 in, cemented | Laps nailed 3 in on center, at least 3/4 in from the edge; eaves and rakes 1 in from the edge, 3 in on center | ARMA Fig. 14-3 |
| Concealed nail | 1:12 | At least 3 in | 6 in, cemented | Top edge only, 4 in on center, covered by at least 1 in of the next course; 9 in edge strips at eaves and rakes | ARMA Fig. 14-1; Owens Corning instructions |
| Double coverage (half lap) | 1:12 | 19 in selvage, 17 in exposed | 6 in, cemented | Selvage only, two rows; starter strip rows 12 in on center | ARMA Fig. 14-5; TAMKO 19″ Selvedge |
Exposed nail drives nails through the surface along every lap, so the fasteners sit in the weather. Concealed nail drives nails only along the top edge of each course where the next course covers them, with the laps and edge strips fully cemented. Double coverage uses a 36-inch sheet with a 19-inch selvage overlap and only 17 inches exposed, doubling the material over most of the roof; ARMA notes any roll can be applied this way if the lapped portion is 2 inches wider than the exposed portion.
Roll roofing products: 36 inch rolls compared
Most mineral-surfaced roll roofing is sold 36 inches wide. IRC R905.5.4 requires mineral-surfaced roll roofing to meet ASTM D3909 or ASTM D6380 Class M. The products below show how the “36 inch asphalt roll roofing” label translates into coverage.
| Product | Roll size | Coverage | Slope on label | Price seen (Oct 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Corning Mineral Surface Roll, Shasta White (LB12) | 36 in x 36 ft | 100 sq ft | 1 in per ft (OC instructions) | $58.97 per roll, Home Depot | Owens Corning application instructions; Home Depot listing |
| GAF Mineral Guard Residential Roll Roofing | 39.375 in x 32.58 ft, 2 in selvedge | About 100 sq ft | 2:12 and greater | $64.49 per roll, one dealer listing | GAF product page; Lowe’s listing |
| TAMKO 19″ Selvedge Edge Roll Roofing | 36 in x 36 ft | 1/2 square (50 sq ft), 17 in exposure | 1 in per ft | Not listed | TAMKO data sheet |
| TAMKO Slate Surfaced Roll Roofing | 36 in wide | 96 sq ft with 2 in top and 4 in end laps | Not below 2 in per ft | Not listed | TAMKO application instructions |
| GAF Liberty SBS self-adhering cap sheet (model 3732100) | 3 ft x 34 ft | 100 sq ft | Low slope system | $139.00 per roll, Home Depot | Home Depot listing |
Owens Corning’s sheet lists ASTM E108 and UL 790 Class C fire ratings for its mineral-surfaced roll. Lowe’s roll roofing category showed a typical price of $115 per roll, with a range of about $55 to $149, in October 2026.
What tools and materials do you need for roll roofing?
You need the roll roofing itself, lap cement, roofing nails, drip edge, felt underlayment and basic hand tools. Plan on one 100-square-foot roll per roofing square for single coverage, and two 50-square-foot half lap rolls per square for double coverage; TAMKO’s slate surfaced wrapper notes that a 36 foot roll covers 96 square feet once 2 inch top laps and 4 inch end laps are taken out.
- Mineral surface roll roofing: one roll covers 100 square feet (one square) at single coverage, 50 square feet at double coverage.
- Lap cement: a cold-applied cement meeting ASTM D3019 (TAMKO’s recommendation) or ASTM D4586 (ARMA). ARMA warns that excess cement causes blistering.
- Roofing nails: Owens Corning calls for corrosion-resistant 11- or 12-gauge nails with heads at least 3/8 inch across, long enough to go 3/4 inch into a board deck or 1/8 inch through plywood or OSB.
- Utility knife with hook blades, chalk line, tape measure, a trowel for cement and a light roller to press laps (ARMA).
- Drip edge for the eave and rake, and #15 asphalt-saturated felt for the underlayment, per the Owens Corning and TAMKO instructions.
- Safety gear: gloves, safety glasses, and grippy shoes. On a house roof, add a harness. See our roof safety guide for OSHA tie-off rules and DIY limits.
Temperature limits: ARMA says it is not good practice to apply roll roofing below 45°F, and Owens Corning and TAMKO set 50°F. Below that the asphalt turns stiff, cracks when you unroll it, and will not bond at the laps, so warm cold rolls before unrolling.
How to lay rolled asphalt roofing step by step
Work from the eave up, overlap each course, and cement every lap. These steps follow ARMA’s concealed nail method (1:12 and steeper); the exposed nail and double coverage changes are in the next section.
- Prep the deck. Strip old roofing, pull every nail, and sweep the deck clean. Owens Corning requires a dry, firm, smooth deck of at least 3/8 inch plywood or 7/16 inch OSB, with panels gapped 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Replace any soft or rotted sheathing first.
- Install drip edge and underlayment. Nail metal drip edge along the eaves and rakes. Owens Corning calls for one layer of #15 asphalt-saturated felt over the whole roof, laid horizontally with 2 inch top laps and 4 inch end laps, running 6 inches over hips, ridges and valleys. ARMA warns never to cement roll roofing directly to the deck.
- Cut and relax the sheets. Cut rolls into 12 to 18 foot lengths (ARMA; Owens Corning says 18 feet maximum) and stack them flat in the sun until they lie flat, so they do not wrinkle after application.
- Lay 9 inch edge strips. Nail 9 inch wide strips of roll roofing along the eaves and rakes, overhanging the deck 1/4 to 3/8 inch, with rows of nails 1 inch and 8 inches from the edge at 4 inches on center.
- Fasten the first course. Set a full-width sheet flush with the edge strips. Nail only the top edge at 4 inches on center, slightly staggered, placed so the next course will cover the nails by at least 1 inch. Lift the lower edge, cement the edge strips, and press the sheet into the cement from one side to the other.
- Overlap the next course. Overlap each course at least 3 inches (ARMA; Owens Corning’s text says at least 2 inches and its figure shows 3). Cement the full lap until a small bead shows at the edge, then roll it. Do not nail within 18 inches of a rake until the edge strip is cemented and the course pressed down.
- Stagger and cement the end laps. Lap sheet ends 6 inches, cement the full lap, and nail the underlying sheet in rows 1 inch and 5 inches from its end at 4 inches on center. Offset end laps at least 18 inches from course to course.
- Flash penetrations. Cut the material to fit around vents and pipes, bed each cut edge in cement, and cover the joint with a cemented patch or a pipe boot. Our vent pipe boot guide covers boot types and sizes.
- Cap hips and ridges. Snap chalk lines 5 1/2 inches each side of the joint, cement between them, and lay 12 inch strips bent to lie 6 inches on each side, each lapping the last by 6 inches, starting at the end opposite the prevailing wind. On a shed with no ridge, ARMA finishes the top edge with metal flashing set in cement.
Exposed nail changes
On 2:12 and steeper, ARMA’s exposed nail method skips the edge strips. Overhang the first sheet 1/4 to 3/8 inch at the eaves and rakes, tack the top edge with nails 18 to 20 inches apart, and nail the eaves and rakes 1 inch from the edge at 3 inches on center. Lap each course 2 inches, cement the lap, and nail it at 3 inches on center at least 3/4 inch from the edge. Every exposed nail head is a leak point, so cover any that remain with plastic cement, as TAMKO’s instructions require.
Half lap roll roofing: double coverage installation
Half lap roll roofing (double coverage) uses a 36 inch sheet with a 19 inch selvage and a 17 inch granule-surfaced exposure, so two layers cover almost the whole roof. ARMA and TAMKO allow it down to 1:12, which is why it is the usual choice for a nearly flat shed or porch.
- Starter strip. Cut the 17 inch granule portion off one sheet. Nail the 19 inch selvage piece along the eave, overhanging the drip edge 1/4 to 3/8 inch, with nail rows 5 inches from its top edge and 1 inch above its lower edge, 12 inches on center (ARMA Fig. 14-5).
- First course. Lay a full 36 inch sheet over the starter, flush at the eave, nail it in the 19 inch selvage only, then cement the starter and press the granule portion down.
- Succeeding courses. Lap each course over the full 19 inch selvage of the one below, nail in the selvage, turn the granule portion up, and spread cement over the whole selvage to within 1/4 inch of the exposed edge. Press with a broom or light roller.
- End laps. Make them 6 inches wide, nail the underlying sheet 1 inch from its edge at 4 inches on center, cement the lap and stagger end laps between courses.
- Top edge of a shed. Trim and nail the last selvage at the roof edge, cement the saved 17 inch granule piece over it, and cover the edge with metal flashing set in cement.
How do you install rolled roofing on a shed?
A 10 by 12 foot shed has about 120 square feet of roof deck before overhangs. With single coverage that is two 100-square-foot rolls once laps and the 9 inch edge strips come out of them; with half lap rolls at 50 square feet each it is three rolls. At the Owens Corning LB12 price of $58.97, two rolls run $117.94 before felt, cement, nails and drip edge. Follow the same eave-up sequence above.
On a shed below 2:12 the double coverage method is the code-safe choice because it reaches 1:12, and below 1:12 roll roofing is not allowed at all under IRC R905.5.2. If the shed roof is that flat, use a low-slope membrane. Our shed roof cost guide compares roll roofing against shingles and metal for outbuildings, and the low-slope roof materials guide covers what to use when the pitch drops below 4:12.
How much does roll roofing cost?
HomeGuide’s 2026 roll roofing guide puts the installed cost at $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot, split into $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot for material and $1.50 to $4.50 for labor. At those rates a 1,000-square-foot roof runs $500 to $1,500 in material and $2,000 to $5,500 installed. DIY on a small structure removes the labor line.
| Cost item | Range | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed per square foot | $2.00 to $5.50 | Material plus labor | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Material per square foot | $0.50 to $1.50 | Before cement, nails, edging | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Labor per square foot | $1.50 to $4.50 | Added to material | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Owens Corning Mineral Surface Roll (100 sq ft) | $58.97 per roll | 36 in x 36 ft, Shasta White | Home Depot listing, Oct 2026 |
| Roll roofing at Lowe’s (100 sq ft class) | $55 to $149 per roll, typical $115 | Mixed brands and types | Lowe’s category page, Oct 2026 |
| 10 by 12 shed, DIY roll material | $117.94 | Two OC LB12 rolls; add felt, cement, nails, drip edge | Computed from the Home Depot price |
Labor is $1.50 to $4.50 of every installed square foot at HomeGuide’s rates, which is why DIY makes sense on a shed. For a fuller material-by-material breakdown on outbuildings, compare the numbers in our shed roof cost and materials guide.
When should you not use roll roofing?
Skip roll roofing on a visible house roof, on slopes below 1:12, and anywhere you need long service. HomeGuide puts felt and mineral-surfaced roll sheets at 5 to 10 years, the short end of the asphalt range, and IRC R905.5.2 sets 1:12 as the floor. On a main residence at 4:12 or steeper, ARMA’s standard shingle application applies, and an asphalt shingle or metal roof outlasts roll roofing by decades.
On flat or near-flat decks, a membrane with welded or self-adhered seams outperforms roll roofing on leak resistance. A modified bitumen roof is the closest upgrade: the same asphalt family with SBS or APP polymers and torch-applied or self-adhered seams, such as the GAF Liberty SBS cap sheet listed above at $139.00 per roll. HomeGuide’s rolled-roof range runs to 20 years for those upgraded sheets. When the roof is below 2:12 or you want it to last, price that system before defaulting to rolls.
Frequently asked questions
How long does roll roofing last?
HomeGuide’s 2026 guide puts rolled roofs at 5 to 20 years depending on material, underlayment and weather, with felt and mineral-surfaced roll sheets at 5 to 10 years. ARMA recommends the concealed nail method when maximum service life matters, because it keeps every nail head out of the weather.
What is the minimum slope for roll roofing?
ARMA’s Residential Asphalt Roofing Manual allows roll roofing down to 1 inch per foot (1:12) with the concealed nail or double coverage method and down to 2:12 with the exposed nail method. IRC R905.5.2 bars mineral-surfaced roll roofing below 1:12. Some products set a higher floor: GAF Mineral Guard and TAMKO Slate Surfaced are labeled for 2:12 and steeper.
What is half lap roll roofing?
Half lap, or double coverage, roll roofing is a 36 inch sheet with a 19 inch selvage and a 17 inch exposure, so each course covers the selvage of the one below and the roof gets two layers. ARMA and TAMKO allow it on slopes down to 1 inch per foot, and a roll covers half a square.
Can you install roll roofing over existing shingles?
You should not install roll roofing directly over existing shingles. Owens Corning requires a dry, firm, smooth deck, and the shingle profile telegraphs through the thin roll and keeps the laps from bonding. Strip to the deck, replace rotted sheathing, and lay felt and drip edge before the first course.
Does roll roofing need underlayment?
Yes, for the major brands. Owens Corning calls for one layer of #15 asphalt-saturated felt over the entire roof with 2 inch top laps and 4 inch end laps, and TAMKO recommends felt under its roll roofing. ARMA warns never to cement roll roofing directly to the deck.
How much does it cost to install roll roofing on a shed?
For a 10 by 12 foot shed, two Owens Corning 100-square-foot rolls cost $117.94 at the October 2026 Home Depot price of $58.97 each, before felt, cement, nails and drip edge. Hired out, HomeGuide’s 2026 range of $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot installed puts 120 square feet at $240 to $660 before any minimum job charge.
What is the difference between exposed nail and concealed nail roll roofing?
Exposed nail roll roofing laps each course 2 inches and nails the lap at 3 inches on center, so the heads sit in the weather; ARMA limits it to 2:12 and steeper. Concealed nail uses 9 inch edge strips, laps of at least 3 inches and nails only along the top edge, covered by the next course, and works down to 1:12.