Roofing Felt Paper Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Roofing felt paper cost ranges from $0.50 to $1.75 per sq. ft. installed, with most 2,000 sq. ft. roofing felt paper projects costing about $1,000 to $3,500.
This estimate is for asphalt-saturated roofing felt paper installed below asphalt shingles or other compatible roof coverings. It includes No. 15 felt, No. 30 felt, and similar tar paper underlayment. It is not for synthetic roof underlayment, high-temperature metal roof underlayment, peel-and-stick ice and water shield, or the full visible roof replacement.
Enter your ZIP code and roof felt paper area below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Roofing Felt Paper Cost Calculator
Roofing felt paper cost depends on roof felt paper area, asphalt-saturated felt, No. 15 felt, No. 30 felt, roll coverage, roof pitch, overlap, cap nails or staples, roof deck condition, tear-off access, temporary exposure limits, valleys, eaves, penetrations, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 2,000 sq. ft.
$1,000 – $3,500
About $1 – $2 per sq. ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $300 | $1,500 |
| Labor | $700 | $2,000 |
| Estimated installed cost | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $1 | $2 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Roofing Felt Paper Cost vs Value
Roofing Felt Paper may recover about 35%–55% of its cost.
Bottom line: Roofing felt paper is the budget roof underlayment option beneath shingles and some other roof coverings, with cost depending on felt weight, roof pitch, overlap, fastening, tear-off access, and roof deck condition.
Worth it: Budget roof replacements, asphalt shingle projects, simple roof deck protection, and jobs where No. 15 or No. 30 felt paper is acceptable.
Skip it: Projects where synthetic underlayment, high-temperature metal roof underlayment, peel-and-stick waterproofing, or ice and water shield is the better fit.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
How to Measure Roofing Felt Paper Area
Use roof square footage, not interior living space. A 1,700 sq. ft. home may need 2,000 sq. ft. or more of felt paper once roof pitch, overhangs, garages, valleys, dormers, hips, ridges, and waste are included.
If felt paper is installed during a full roof replacement, the felt area usually follows the roof covering area. If it is being replaced by itself, the cost can rise because shingles or other roofing materials may need to be removed first.
Roofing Felt Paper Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Felt paper is usually the budget underlayment option, but the quote still needs to cover overlap, fastening, roof pitch, roof deck condition, valleys, eaves, penetrations, and tear-off access. A low price may not include damaged decking, flashing details, or ice and water shield where required.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- No. 15 felt, No. 30 felt, or other asphalt-saturated felt paper
- Roof felt paper area, roof pitch, valleys, hips, ridges, and eaves
- Overlap pattern and fastening method
- Cap nails, staples, or manufacturer-approved attachment
- Roof deck condition and damaged sheathing replacement terms
- Temporary exposure limits before the roof covering is installed
- Whether ice and water shield is included or priced separately
- Compatibility with the roof covering being installed
Common Roofing Felt Paper Add-On Costs
| Item | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Old roofing tear-off to access felt paper | $1.50 – $5.00 per sq. ft. |
| Roof decking replacement | $70 – $150 per sheet |
| Ice and water shield areas | $1.50 – $4.50 per sq. ft. |
| Valley, eave, or roof-wall detail work | $300 – $2,500+ |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $300 – $2,000+ |
Roofing Felt Paper Cost by Type
| Felt Paper Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| No. 15 roofing felt | $0.50 – $1.10 | Budget asphalt shingle projects and basic roof deck protection |
| No. 30 roofing felt | $0.75 – $1.50 | Heavier felt paper coverage and roof areas needing more durable underlayment |
| Felt paper with higher-detail installation | $1.25 – $1.75+ | Steeper roofs, valleys, roof-wall transitions, and areas with more labor detail |
Cost by Felt Paper Area
| Felt Paper Area | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $500 – $1,750 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $750 – $2,625 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $1,250 – $4,375 |
Is Roofing Felt Paper Worth It?
Roofing felt paper is usually worth it when you need a low-cost underlayment beneath asphalt shingles or another compatible roof covering. It may not be worth it if the roof needs stronger tear resistance, better walkability, longer exposure time, high-temperature metal roof compatibility, or peel-and-stick waterproofing in leak-prone areas. In those cases, synthetic underlayment, metal roof underlayment, or ice and water shield may be the better choice.
Related Roofing Cost Guides
References
- GAF: Roof Deck Protection
- Owens Corning: Roofing Underlayment
- CertainTeed: Roof Underlayments
- GAF: How to Measure a Roof
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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