Rolled roofing is an asphalt roofing material sold in rolls, usually 36 inches wide and about 36 feet long, that covers a low-slope roof in a few large sheets instead of hundreds of individual shingles. Each roll uses the same core as an asphalt shingle: a felt or fiberglass mat saturated with asphalt and topped with mineral granules. One roll covers roughly 100 square feet (one roofing square) and weighs 55 to 90 pounds for single-coverage products. It is the cheapest asphalt roof covering, and it trades looks and service life for low cost and fast installation on sheds, garages, and porches.
What is rolled roofing made of?
Rolled roofing uses the same three ingredients as an asphalt shingle, pressed into a continuous sheet. A base mat of organic felt or fiberglass carries the product. Asphalt saturates and coats the mat for waterproofing. A layer of mineral granules on the exposed face blocks UV and adds color. Products are covered by ASTM standards such as ASTM D3909 (mineral-surfaced, glass felt) and ASTM D6380 (organic felt asphalt roll roofing).
The granule surface is what lets rolled roofing sit exposed to weather. Smooth, ungranulated rolls exist too, but they are meant to go under a finish layer or serve as flashing, not as the top surface of a finished roof.
You will often see rolled roofing sold by weight, such as a “90-lb roll.” That number is the approximate weight of enough material to cover one roofing square (100 square feet). Heavier products carry more asphalt and more granules, which usually means a thicker, longer-lasting sheet.
The types of rolled roofing
Rolled roofing is not one product. Four related sheet goods get called “roll roofing” at the supply house, and they are rated for different jobs and different slopes. Confusing them is the most common and most expensive mistake, because a base sheet or an underlayment left exposed will fail fast.
| Type | Also called | Surface | Coverage | Typical weight per square | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral-surfaced roll (MSR) | 90-lb roll | Granules | Single, about 34 in exposure | 75 to 90 lb | Finished low-slope roofs, sheds, garages |
| Smooth or coated roll | Base sheet, cap sheet base | Smooth asphalt | Single | 40 to 65 lb | Base layer, flashing, valleys |
| Double-coverage roll | Selvage-edge, 19-inch selvage, split sheet | Granules on the lower half | Double, about 17 in exposure | 110 to 140 lb | The lowest slopes, longer service life |
| Saturated felt | 15-lb or 30-lb felt | None | Underlayment only | 15 to 30 lb | Goes under shingles, not a finish covering |
Mineral-surfaced roll is the version most people mean by “rolled roofing.” Double-coverage roll doubles the sheet over itself so only 17 inches of each 36-inch width is exposed, which is why it handles flatter roofs and lasts longer than a single-coverage sheet.
Rolled roofing is not roofing underlayment
Rolled roofing is a finished roof covering rated to sit exposed to sun and rain. Saturated felt and synthetic underlayment are protective layers designed to sit hidden under shingles or another finish. They look similar on the shelf because both come in rolls, but they are not interchangeable. Using 15-lb felt as a finished roof, or using mineral-surfaced roll as an under-shingle layer, breaks how a roof system is meant to shed water.
If your project needs the hidden layer under shingles, that is a different product line. See the breakdown of roof underlayment types for what belongs under a shingle roof and when each grade is required.
What roof slope does rolled roofing need?
Rolled roofing is a low-slope product and should never go on a steep roof as the main covering. Most exposed-nail mineral-surfaced rolls are rated down to a 2:12 pitch (2 inches of rise per 12 inches of run). Double-coverage rolls, installed with concealed nails and cement, can go lower, often to 1:12. Below about 1:12, a true membrane system usually performs better.
Slope drives which type you buy:
- 2:12 or steeper: single-coverage mineral-surfaced roll, exposed-nail method, is usually acceptable.
- 1:12 to 2:12: double-coverage (selvage-edge) roll with concealed nails and lap cement handles water pooling better.
- Below 1:12: rolled roofing is generally not recommended. A welded membrane such as TPO or a torch-applied modified bitumen is the safer call.
Always confirm the minimum slope printed on the specific roll, because it varies by manufacturer and application method. For a fuller picture of how slope limits asphalt products, see the minimum roof pitch for asphalt shingles.
How long does rolled roofing last?
Rolled roofing lasts about 5 to 10 years, and often just 5 to 8 in full sun. It is thinner than a shingle roof and typically installed as a single layer with exposed nail heads, so it weathers faster. The usual failure signs are granule loss, bald spots, cracking along the laps, and rust bleeding from the exposed fasteners. It is a value covering, not a 25-year roof.
Double-coverage rolls last longer than single-coverage because two thicknesses of material sit over the deck, and the fasteners stay concealed under the next lap rather than exposed to weather.
How much does rolled roofing cost?
Rolled roofing is the cheapest asphalt roof covering. Material runs about $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot, or roughly $30 to $100 per roll (each roll covers one 100-square-foot square). Installed by a contractor, expect about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot including labor, tear-off, and fasteners. A one-car garage or small shed can often be re-covered for a few hundred dollars in material.
Because the material is so cheap, most of the installed price is labor and disposal. For a side-by-side look at covering a small structure, see shed roof cost and materials.
Rolled roofing vs asphalt shingles
Rolled roofing and asphalt shingles share the same asphalt-and-granule chemistry, but they solve different problems. Shingles are a steep-slope, long-life, curb-appeal product. Rolled roofing is a low-slope, short-life, low-cost product. The table below compares the two on the factors that decide most projects.
| Factor | Rolled roofing | Asphalt shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per sq ft | $1.50 to $3.50 | $4.50 to $9.00 |
| Typical lifespan | 5 to 10 years | 20 to 30 years |
| Minimum slope | 1:12 to 2:12 | 2:12 (with special care), 4:12 standard |
| Appearance | Flat, utilitarian | Dimensional, many colors |
| Install speed | Fast, large sheets | Slower, piece by piece |
| Resale impact | Low, reads as temporary | Neutral to positive |
The short version: use rolled roofing where cost and slope rule out shingles, and use shingles where the roof is visible, steep, and meant to last decades.
When rolled roofing makes sense
Rolled roofing fits a narrow but real set of jobs: low-slope, low-visibility, low-budget structures where a 5 to 10 year roof is acceptable. It is a poor choice for a house you plan to sell soon or for any roof people look at every day. Match the product to the job before you buy.
Good candidates include:
- Sheds, detached garages, and workshops with a shallow pitch.
- Porch and lean-to roofs hidden from the street.
- Temporary or budget covers where a longer roof is coming later.
Once you have chosen the right type and slope, the hands-on method matters. See the full rolled roofing installation guide for exposed-nail and concealed-nail steps, or start with the basics over at our roofing basics hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is rolled roofing any good?
Rolled roofing is good for what it is designed to do: cover a low-slope, low-visibility structure cheaply and fast. On a shed, detached garage, or hidden porch it is a sensible value covering. It is a poor choice for a visible house roof or any roof meant to last more than about 10 years, because it weathers faster than shingles and reads as temporary.
How long does rolled roofing last?
Rolled roofing lasts about 5 to 10 years, often just 5 to 8 years in strong sun. Single-coverage mineral-surfaced roll with exposed nails is at the shorter end. Double-coverage (selvage-edge) roll with concealed fasteners lasts longer because two layers of material cover the deck and the nails stay protected under the next lap.
What is the difference between rolled roofing and shingles?
Rolled roofing and asphalt shingles use the same materials but differ in form and use. Rolled roofing comes in wide sheets for low-slope roofs, costs about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot installed, and lasts 5 to 10 years. Shingles are cut pieces for steep, visible roofs, cost roughly $4.50 to $9.00 per square foot installed, and last 20 to 30 years.
Can you put rolled roofing over existing shingles?
Installing rolled roofing over old shingles is generally not recommended. The shingle keyways and edges telegraph through the thin roll and create ridges that trap water and crack early. Rolled roofing performs best over a clean, smooth deck with proper underlayment. Tearing off the old covering first is the reliable approach, and many local codes require it.
Is roll roofing the same as felt paper?
No. Roll roofing is a finished roof covering rated to sit exposed to weather, usually with a mineral-granule surface. Felt paper (15-lb or 30-lb saturated felt) is underlayment, a hidden protective layer meant to go under shingles, not to serve as the top surface. They both come in rolls, but they are not interchangeable and are rated for different jobs.
What is the minimum slope for rolled roofing?
Most single-coverage mineral-surfaced rolls are rated down to a 2:12 pitch using the exposed-nail method. Double-coverage (selvage-edge) roll installed with concealed nails and lap cement can often go to 1:12. Below about 1:12, a welded membrane such as TPO or torch-applied modified bitumen is the safer choice. Always confirm the minimum slope printed on the specific product.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.