How To Nail Roofing Felt

November 30, 2025

2 min read

dilshadakram

To nail roofing felt, you start by unrolling the felt across your roof deck and then use roofing nails or staples to secure it to the wood. Roofing felt is an important layer that goes under your shingles to help keep water out of your home. It sits between the roof deck and the shingles you see from the ground. Getting this step right helps your roof last longer and work better. The average roof replacement costs around $9,526, according to RubyHome, so doing this layer correctly saves money and trouble later.

What Is Roofing Felt?

Roofing felt is a thin sheet made from paper or plastic. It acts like a safety net under your shingles.

This felt catches water that sneaks past your shingles. Without it, water would drip straight onto your wood roof deck and cause rot. Most felt comes in big rolls that you unroll as you work.

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How to Start Nailing Felt

Begin at the bottom edge of your roof. Unroll the felt from one end to the other, keeping it straight and flat. Start nailing from one corner and work your way across.

Use roofing nails with large, flat heads. Space your nails about 6 to 8 inches apart. This keeps the felt tight but not so tight it tears. According to RubyHome, asphalt shingles cost between $4.25 and $4.95 per square foot and last about 20 to 30 years, so your underlayment matters just as much.

Nailing Pattern and Spacing

The right nailing pattern keeps your felt from sliding or bunching up when weather hits hard. Here is what you need to know:

Nail every 6 to 8 inches along the edges
Nail every 12 inches in the middle rows
Use 1.25 to 1.5 inch roofing nails
Place nails in a straight line, not random spots

According to IBISWorld, the U.S. roofing contractor industry reached $81.3 billion in 2025 and continues to grow. This shows how big roofing work really is.

Tips for Best Results

Overlap your felt rows by about 2 inches. This means the second row sits on top of the first row a bit. This overlap stops water from running down between the rows.

Work on a dry day if you can. Wet felt is slippery and hard to nail straight. According to RoofLink, metal roofing holds 17% market share in residential roofing and lasts 40 to 80 years, so your felt under any shingle type needs care. Keep your nails straight and don’t hammer too hard or you will dent the felt. Take your time and your roof will thank you.

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Connect with an experienced professional roofer to discuss your roofing needs and schedule an inspection.