Short answer
A standard roll is about 36 inches by 36 feet and covers about one square (100 sq ft) after laps. It needs a slope of at least 1 inch per foot under the model code, and GAF and TAMKO instructions for their standard rolls ask for 2 inches per foot or more. For a flatter roof, buy a 19 inch selvage roll rated lower, or a peel-and-stick membrane. Budget for lap cement, galvanized roofing nails and drip edge.
What it is and where it fits
Mineral surface roll roofing is the same family of material as an asphalt shingle, sold as a continuous sheet. Under the model residential code it must meet ASTM D3909 or D6380 Class M and may not go on slopes below 1 inch per foot (IRC R905.5 handout). It goes down in lapped courses: each course is nailed along its top edge, and the next course covers those nails and is cemented to it.
It suits: sheds, chicken coops, wood sheds, barns, detached garages and other buildings where low cost and speed matter more than looks or a long life. It does not suit: flat or near flat roofs, roofs that hold snow over heated rooms without an ice barrier, or a house roof in a neighborhood that cares how it looks.
Options worth buying
-
01Budget
Standard mineral surface roll
Best for: sheds and outbuildings at 2 in 12 or steeper
- Size
- 36 in x 36 ft (typical)
- Coverage
- about 1 square
- Slope
- check wrapper, often 2 in 12+
- GAF says one roll of Mineral Guard covers 100 sq ft with extra for side laps (GAF).
- Exposed nail or concealed nail methods depend on the maker’s instructions.
- Pick a color your HOA, if any, allows.
-
02Lower slopes
19 inch selvage (double coverage) roll
Best for: roofs between 1 and 2 in 12 where the wrapper allows it
- Size
- 36 in x 36 ft
- Coverage
- 1/2 square
- Exposure
- 17 in
- TAMKO lists its selvage roll for inclines of not less than 1 inch per foot (TAMKO data sheet).
- Twice the rolls and much more cement per square, but two layers everywhere.
- Harder to find in stores; check before you plan around it.
-
03Longer life
Peel-and-stick cap sheet instead
Best for: porches and low slope roofs over living space
- Type
- SBS modified bitumen
- Install
- self-adhered
- Slope
- low slope rated
- No nails through the field and no lap cement to spread.
- GAF lists its Liberty system for low slope areas such as porches, garages and sheds (GAF).
- More on the peel-and-stick guide.
What to buy with it
What you need
- Underlayment asphalt saturated felt is what TAMKO recommendsFind it
- Lap cement GAF calls for ASTM D4586 plastic cement; TAMKO for ASTM D3019 lap cementFind it
- Galvanized roofing nails 10 to 12 gauge with a 3/8 in or larger headFind it
- Drip edge TAMKO recommends metal drip edge at eaves and rakesFind it
- Hook blade utility knife cuts the roll from the backFind it
- Ice barrier at the eaves of heated buildings in snow countryFind it
Read the wrapper first
Makers do not agree on the details, and the wrapper is what your warranty follows. Three examples from the instructions we read:
Two makers, two sets of rules
| Rule | GAF Mineral Guard | TAMKO fiberglass roll |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum slope | 2 in per foot | 2 in per foot |
| Cold weather | Rolls and cement at 45 F or warmer; store 24 hours at 55 F | Not below 50 F without precautions |
| Nails and laps | Nails staggered 4 in apart, overlapped at least 1 in | Nails 4 in apart; 3 in top lap, 4 in end lap |
| Cement | ASTM D4586 plastic cement, about 2 gal per 100 sq ft | Cold application cement meeting ASTM D3019 |
Sources: GAF Mineral Guard instructions and TAMKO application instructions. Ready to lay it? Follow how to install roll roofing.
How long it lasts
It is the short-lived option. Hunker puts the typical life of asphalt roll roofing at five to 15 years (Hunker), and real results depend on slope, sun, snow and how well the laps were sealed. The cost and lifespan guide sets that against what it saves.
Questions people ask
How big is a roll of mineral surface roll roofing?
Most standard rolls are about 36 inches wide and 36 feet long, roughly 108 square feet gross, sold as one square (100 sq ft) of coverage once laps are taken out. Hunker describes typical rolls as about 75 pounds. Check the exact size and weight on the listing.
What is the difference between mineral surface and smooth roll roofing?
Mineral surface rolls carry granules on the weather side, which protect the asphalt from sunlight. The ASTM roll roofing standard also covers smooth rolls surfaced only with fine mineral matter such as talc to stop sticking. For an exposed roof, buy a mineral surface roll.
What is a 19 inch selvage roll?
A roll that is granule surfaced on only 17 inches of its width. The other 19 inches is a smooth selvage that the next course covers and cements down, so the whole roof ends up two layers thick. TAMKO lists its selvage roll for slopes down to 1 inch per foot and half a square of coverage per roll.
Do I need underlayment under roll roofing?
Makers recommend it and some codes require it. TAMKO recommends asphalt saturated felt over the entire deck, and GAF notes underlayment also stops sap in some wood decks from reacting with the roofing. Check your local code.
What color should I choose?
Color is mostly looks, though light granules reflect more sun. Colors vary by maker and region; black, white, gray, green and brown are common. Many HOAs do not allow roll roofing on visible roofs at all, so check first.
See mineral surface roll roofing on Amazon
Sources
- City of Hopkins, MN, Mineral surface roll roofing (IRC R905.5) handout
- GAF, Mineral Guard residential roll roofing application instructions (maker, archived copy)
- TAMKO, 19 inch selvedge edge roll roofing data sheet (maker)
- GAF, Liberty SBS self-adhering cap sheet (maker)
- TAMKO, Fiberglass slate surface roll roofing application instructions (maker)
- Hunker, A homeowner’s guide to roll roofing
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products and listings change; check the data sheet and wrapper before you buy, follow the maker’s instructions, and check your local building code.