Felt vs Shingles for Shed Roofs
Roofing Felt vs Roof Shingles: Roofing Felt is best for budget sheds, tool stores, smaller utility sheds (£50 – £200 (materials)). Roof Shingles is best for summerhouses, garden offices, log cabins, premium sheds (£150 – £500 (materials)).
- Area served
- Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife & Falkirk
Choosing the right roof covering affects how long your shed lasts and how it looks. Mineral felt is the traditional choice, while roof shingles offer a premium upgrade. Here's how they compare in Scottish conditions.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Roofing Felt
Best for: Budget sheds, tool stores, smaller utility sheds
Typical cost: £50 – £200 (materials)
Pros
- Low cost — standard on most sheds
- Quick and easy to install
- Lightweight — no extra structural support needed
- Easy to patch or replace
- Available in several colours
Cons
- Lifespan of 5-10 years in Scotland
- UV degradation causes cracking
- Wind can lift edges and tear material
- Moss growth on north-facing surfaces
- Less attractive appearance
Roof Shingles
Best for: Summerhouses, garden offices, log cabins, premium sheds
Typical cost: £150 – £500 (materials)
Pros
- Lifespan of 20-30 years
- Excellent wind resistance — each shingle is individually fixed
- Premium appearance with multiple styles
- Better UV resistance than felt
- Self-sealing in warm weather
Cons
- Higher initial cost
- Longer installation time
- Heavier — may need structural checking
- Harder to patch individual areas
- Requires proper underlayment
Scottish Weather Suitability
Scotland's combination of wind, rain and UV exposure is particularly tough on roofing materials. Standard felt degrades faster here than in drier, less windy parts of the UK — we commonly see felt failing within 5-7 years on exposed sites.
Shingles handle Scottish weather significantly better. Each shingle is individually nailed and sealed, so wind can't lift entire sections the way it can with felt. The layered construction also provides better rain shedding and UV resistance.
For coastal Edinburgh areas like Portobello, Cramond and South Queensferry, where salt spray accelerates material degradation, shingles are the clear winner for longevity.
Cost Breakdown
Standard mineral felt is the cheapest option at £50-200 for materials, with installation adding minimal time. However, if you refelt every 7 years, the lifetime cost over 20 years is comparable to a one-time shingle installation.
Roof shingles cost £150-500 for materials depending on the roof area, plus additional installation time. However, with a 20-30 year lifespan, they typically work out cheaper per year than felt.
For premium structures like garden offices and summerhouses, shingles add both durability and kerb appeal, often adding more than their cost to the perceived value of the building.
Planning Guidance
Both felt and shingles are acceptable roofing materials under Scottish permitted development rules. The choice of roofing doesn't affect planning requirements.
In conservation areas, roofing appearance may be a factor if the shed is visible from public areas. Dark-coloured shingles that blend with the surroundings are generally preferred by planners.
For larger structures approaching permitted development height limits, the thickness of shingles versus felt (typically 10-15mm difference) is negligible and won't affect compliance.
Our Verdict
For standard utility sheds and budget builds, mineral felt remains a practical choice. It's cheap, effective, and easy to replace when it wears out. Choose heavy-duty mineral felt over basic economy felt for significantly better longevity.
For summerhouses, garden offices, log cabins and any shed you want to last 20+ years, roof shingles are the superior investment. Their lifespan, wind resistance and appearance justify the higher upfront cost.
Edinburgh Shed Centre can supply and install both options. We recommend shingles for any building over 8×6 or any structure used as a garden office or habitable space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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