Roll Roofing for Sheds: What to Buy and How Much

Short answer

For a shed roof at 2 in 12 or steeper, mineral surface roll roofing over felt is the cheap, quick choice: about one roll per 100 sq ft plus 10 percent, lap cement, galvanized roofing nails and drip edge. For a flatter shed roof, use a peel-and-stick cap sheet system or an EPDM sheet. Bare roofing felt alone is an underlayment, not a lasting shed roof.

Pick by the slope of your shed roof

Shed roof options by slope

Shed roof slope	Good choice	Why
4 in 12 or steeper	Mineral surface roll, or shingles	Sheds water fast; shingles look better if it shows
2 to 4 in 12	Mineral surface roll over felt	Inside the range GAF and TAMKO list for their standard rolls
1 to 2 in 12	19 in selvage roll or peel-and-stick	Code allows mineral roll from 1 in 12; standard wrappers often do not
Under 1 in 12	Peel-and-stick system or EPDM	Too flat for mineral roll roofing

Slope rules from the IRC R905.5 handout, GAF, TAMKO and the TAMKO selvage data sheet. Not sure of your slope? The roll picker explains how to measure it.

Shed roofing options

01Cheapest
Mineral surface roll roofing
Best for: sloped shed roofs, 2 in 12 and up

Coverage
about 1 square per roll
Install
nails + lap cement
- Expect a shorter life: Hunker estimates 5 to 15 years for asphalt roll roofing (Hunker).
- See the mineral roll guide.
See mineral surface rolls #15 felt to go under it
02Low slope
Peel-and-stick cap sheet system
Best for: flatter shed roofs, or when you want it to last

Layers
base + cap
Install
self-adhered
- GAF names sheds among the low slope uses for its Liberty system (GAF).
See peel-and-stick rolls
03One piece
EPDM sheet or kit
Best for: nearly flat shed roofs with no seams

Thickness
45 or 60 mil
Install
glued
- See the EPDM guide.
See EPDM kits

Shopping list for a mineral roll shed roof

What you need

Mineral surface roll roofing area / 100 plus 10 percentFind it
#15 roofing felt underlayment over the whole deckFind it
Drip edge eaves and rakesFind it
Lap cement about 2 gal per 100 sq ft on GAF’s instructionsFind it
Galvanized roofing nails long enough to go through the deckFind it
Hook blade knife, chalk line, tape measureFind it

Fig. 2 One roll covers about one square: 10 by 10 feet of roof.

Ready? Follow how to install roll roofing step by step. Weighing up the money? See roll roofing cost.

Questions people ask

What is the best roofing felt for a shed?

Use roofing felt as the layer under the roof, not as the roof. #15 felt is the usual choice under roll roofing on a shed, and #30 is tougher if it will sit uncovered for a few days. For the finished surface, cover it with mineral surface roll roofing or a peel-and-stick cap.

How many rolls of roofing do I need for my shed?

Multiply the length by the width of each roof plane (measured along the slope, including overhangs), add them up, divide by 100 and add about 10 percent. A 10 by 12 foot shed roof (120 sq ft) needs two standard rolls with a little left over. Our roll picker does the math.

Can I put roll roofing on a flat shed roof?

Not mineral surface roll roofing: it needs at least 1 inch of slope per foot under the model code, and many wrappers say 2. On a near flat shed roof, use a low slope peel-and-stick system or EPDM, and make sure water still drains off.

Do I need a permit to reroof a shed?

It depends on where you live and the size of the shed. Many places exempt small accessory buildings from some permits, but rules vary. Check with your local building department.

See shed roll roofing on Amazon

Sources

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.

Roll roofing for sheds