Using flashing tape as roofing material

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chris.gid

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Hi all, looking for some opinions on whether you think this is a good idea. Carrying on from my Previous question i have made this little library thing from hardwood and now finishing it with oil ready to be installed in the village.

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I was thinking of using self adhesive/ tar backed flashing tape as the roof covering, its easier to apply and work with than felt, and kind of self healing for any minor marks.

Roof area can be covered in a £13 roll so its not going to work out too expensive.

Can anyone thing why this is a bad idea.
 

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Hi all, looking for some opinions on whether you think this is a good idea. Carrying on from my Previous question i have made this little library thing from hardwood and now finishing it with oil ready to be installed in the village.

View attachment 120110

I was thinking of using self adhesive/ tar backed flashing tape as the roof covering, its easier to apply and work with than felt, and kind of self healing for any minor marks.

Roof area can be covered in a £13 roll so its not going to work out too expensive.

Can anyone thing why this is a bad idea.
Two reasons why I wouldn't do it:
1) the tape is fairly narrow, so you'll have several long joints/overlaps - weak points.
2) I don't think the end result would look very attractive TBH.
 
Two reasons why I wouldn't do it:
1) the tape is fairly narrow, so you'll have several long joints/overlaps - weak points.
2) I don't think the end result would look very attractive TBH.

Each side of the roof is only 450 long x 500mm deep so with a 150mm wide bit of flashing its only 4/5 layers which i think would look OK.
I've never worked with zinc sheet before but i should imagine it would be harder to work with than flashing tape which is pretty flexible and easily trimmed with a knife.
 
There are larger sized roll's available that would do what you need, I can't think why you should not use it as it is easy to apply and if done right should look just fine,don't forget to use a primer first :)
 
Idealy the one that that is supplied with the flash band, but in reality most bitumin based primers would do.
 
One more thing, if possible apply both the primer and flash band in a warm room :) as it is much easier to work with
 
If it;s being fitted in the sunshine or in a warm place it will slide (don't ask how I know)
 
Each side of the roof is only 450 long x 500mm deep so with a 150mm wide bit of flashing its only 4/5 layers which i think would look OK.
I've never worked with zinc sheet before but i should imagine it would be harder to work with than flashing tape which is pretty flexible and easily trimmed with a knife.
Zinc is likely to last much longer and will age gracefully. The thin stuff can be cut with stout scissors - if you don't have access to tin snips e.g Magnusson Offset Right Tin Snips 10
- I find it much more pleasant to work with than stinky sticky gack but YMMV !
 
Or.... keep your eyes peeled for an old copper water cylinder! Bit of citric acid to bring it up like new :)
Or you could go to your local builders merchant and pick up a few natural slates
Or have fun with some fibreglass
Or you could have a crack at thatching, id quite like to try that 😆
 
Zinc requires specialist tools what about simply leading it …all you will need are a pr of snips and flashing hammer .
 
There are larger sized roll's available that would do what you need, I can't think why you should not use it as it is easy to apply and if done right should look just fine,don't forget to use a primer first :)
I'd use it, have done on bird boxes.

Otherwise I'd use synthetic slate light and cheap but probably need cutting up to look decent.

Used to make bird tables with 12x24 slates either side!

Cheers James
 
I think Flashband would look pretty bad. It would make a beautiful shelf unit look cheap and nasty. Just doesn't do the unit justice. You could slate it, but it's a bit small unless you cut the slates to scale. I think wooden shingles would look fantastic.
 
I've used "Amerimax Aluminum Roll Valley Flashing" for birdhouse roofs, lasts for ever. You can layer it to cover large areas plus it's really easy to cut and bend round corners. Only issue is that I haven't found a uk supplier but you can buy on eBay for £18 a roll delivered just have to wait a few weeks. Looks like this for 10m roll.

2569E91A-6F54-4398-85D5-38C0168924EE.jpeg
 
Thats for all the comments! I'll float the idea of the Zinc sheet with the Parish Council and see what they think.

If it was a choice between some think roofing felt i have knocking around in the shed and the flashing tape (held with a few roofing nails so it doesnt slip in the sun) what would people go for?
 

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