Specific Weight of Roofing Felt: Weight of 1 m3, Density and Reference Table
Roofing felt, also known in some regions as ruberoid, is a roll roofing and waterproofing material. It is commonly made from a roofing cardboard base impregnated with petroleum bitumen, then coated with a bituminous layer and protective mineral surfacing.
The main purpose of roofing felt is waterproofing. It is used on roofs, foundations, basements and other structures where the base needs protection from moisture.
The main advantages of roofing felt include:
- relatively low roll weight;
- simple installation;
- affordable cost;
- suitability for surfaces of different shapes.
The material also has limitations: it is combustible, can be damaged mechanically and is not intended to resist constant water pressure during flooding.
Roofing Felt Specific Weight Table
For roll materials, practical calculations usually use the weight per square meter or the weight of a roll. The weight of 1 m3 is a calculated value and depends on the grade, thickness, base material, bitumen content and surfacing type.
| Material | Density, g/cm3 | Weight of 1 m3, kg |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing felt | 1.6-1.9 | 1600-1900 |
A value of 600 kg/m3, which sometimes appears in reference texts, does not match the range of 1.6-1.9 g/cm3. If the density is 1.6-1.9 g/cm3, then the weight of 1 m3 is 1600-1900 kg, because 1 g/cm3 equals 1000 kg/m3.
How to Calculate Specific Weight
Specific weight is the ratio of a material’s weight to its volume. It is calculated with the formula:
γ = ρ × gwhere:
γis specific weight;ρis material density;gis gravitational acceleration, approximately 9.81 m/s2.
The result is expressed in N/m3. If roofing felt density is taken as 1600-1900 kg/m3, its specific weight is approximately 15.7-18.6 kN/m3.
Roofing Felt Density
The density of roofing felt depends on its composition and grade. It is affected by the base, bitumen content, sheet thickness and type of protective surfacing.
For roof load calculations, the mass per area is usually more useful than volumetric density. In practice, it is better to take the roll weight from the manufacturer’s data sheet and divide it by the roll area.
Conclusion
The calculated weight of 1 m3 of roofing felt can be taken as 1600-1900 kg. However, for roofing work it is usually more accurate to calculate by the weight of 1 m2 or by the roll weight of a specific product grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the density of roofing felt be used for precise calculations?
The density and weight values for roofing felt in this article are reference values. They are suitable for preliminary estimates, but design, construction, production and other critical calculations should be checked against standards, material datasheets or measurement results.
Why can the actual weight of roofing felt differ from the table?
The actual weight of roofing felt depends on composition, moisture, temperature, porosity, fraction size, material grade and measurement conditions. Because of this, real values may differ from the average table data.
How do you calculate the mass of roofing felt from density?
For an approximate calculation, use the formula: mass = density × volume. If the density of roofing felt is given in kg/m³ and the volume is in m³, the result will be in kilograms.