How important is it to have felt underneath the tiles of a house?

[teaboyjim]

I've got a 4 bed mid terraced and the roof is all in good condition except the tiles were placed straight onto the rafters without any felt being added to the rafters.
How much would it cost to have a roofer take all of the tiles off and tac the felt to the rafters before replacing the tiles and is it necessary?

 

[Lower]

It is common for old houses to have been roofed without felt.

 

[teaboyjim]

Is it fine to leave it without it being felted?

 

[datarebal]

Ask your self an obvious question ..
Has it been ok up to now

 

[Lower]

Is it fine to leave it without it being felted?

My roof has been without felt since it was built in 1927.

it’s still water tight

 

[teaboyjim]

Ask your self an obvious question ..Has it been ok up to now

Ah this is true but I was wondering if it was perhaps letting a lot of heat out of the house - probably it doesn't effect heat.

My roof has been without felt since it was built in 1927. it’s still water tight

Does the felt have any insulation properties that help retain heat within the house? I'm guessing that it doesn't as by the time any heat has gotten to that part of the roof it's already lost from the building

 

[datarebal]

wondering if it was perhaps letting a lot of heat out of the house - probably it doesn't effect heat.

Insulate the ceiling well . Air flow in the loft is good

 

[Lower]

Ah this is true but I was wondering if it was perhaps letting a lot of heat out of the house - probably it doesn't effect heat.

Does the felt have any insulation properties that help retain heat within the house? I'm guessing that it doesn't as by the time any heat has gotten to that part of the roof it's already lost from the building

Loft insulation holds the heat below the roof space. No felt aids airflow in the roof space.

Unless you want a warm roof space, the insulation should all be above the ceilings. In which case felt is irrelevant in holding heat in.

 

[teaboyjim]

Would felt be important if the attic was converted into living space?

 

[sxturbo]

The felt is laid on the top of the supporting rafters and beneath the tiles or slate battens.

It is mainly used to secure the tiles on the roof and counter any shifting impact that strong winds may have on them. It also offers protection against heavy rain as it provides a barrier, allowing rain to run off the roof and preventing it from seeping into the internal spaces of the roof and your home.

Felt doesn't stop leaks, it's just an assistant to reduce the leak.

If there is no felt now and has never been then I would save the money from having a re-roof. Even if doing a loft conversion, there is a thread on feltless loft conversion on green building forum.

http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16432