Tag Archives: tar paper

Sharkskin Ultra

Sharkskin Ultra®

Sharkskin Ultra® is a high-performance roof underlayment for all steel roofing applications over solid decking (OSB – Oriented Strand Board or plywood).

https://sharkskinroof.com/sharkskin-products/sharkskin-ultra/

Construction professionals know how important a quality roof system is. This is why so much research, time and effort goes into specifying and installing right roofing products for every home and building.

Sharkskin Ultra® is the original patented synthetic roof underlayment. Designed to ensure quality roof installations are not short changed by inferior “old technology” asphalt felts, or cheap inferior commodity based synthetic roof underlayments. Sharkskin Ultra® is the heaviest, most robust, mechanically fastened polypropylene polymer based product commercially available. Its industry leading high-tensile strength provides the highest tested wind resistance and 12-UV rating available.

Sharkskin Ultra® has a unique patented design using multiple layers of blended polypropylene to achieve:

High tensile strength for durable secondary moisture protection (face it – if water somehow gets through a properly installed steel roofing application, you really do not want it going any further). Plus, if your primary roofing is blown off, it provides a secure secondary water barrier.

High traction non-slip surface for excellent grip and safe walking, even in wet or dusty conditions. Obviously, always use caution and fall protective gear especially in wet weather and windy conditions. There are few things more terrifying than butterflies in one’s stomach as you slide down a roof towards eave edge. In 1988 my Dad was killed in a construction fall off a roof, so I am very sensitive to this one.

Weighing only 50 pounds per 10 square roll (48” x 250’), its light weight makes for faster installations and reduces dead loads on roof systems.

12 months UV resistance, providing long term protection under protracted roofing installations.

ICC-ES, Miami Dade and Florida Building Code approved.

Performs in all temperatures from -40 to 280 degrees F. (Fahrenheit), making it perfect for steel roof installations.

Light grey surface is cooler for installers to work with and walk over than black asphalt impregnated felt. Can be easily marked with a crayon and holds chalk line markings. AS it will not scar or melt, there is no sticky mess like with asphalt impregnated felt (tar paper).

Installs with 3/8” roofing nails, no cap nails required and provides long term nail seal-ability per ICC-ES AC48.

Comes with a manufacturer’s 50-year warranty.

Considering steel roofing over a solid sheathed roof deck? If so, Sharkskin Ultra® might be a design solution to be considered.

Roof Sheeting, Blueprints, and Condensation Control

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about adding sheeting and tar paper to a metal roof, if we could supply blueprints for project 08-0602, and condensation control for a tight structure.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can most pole building metal roofs support the extra weight of sheeting and tar paper (underlayment)? TAMI in SCOTTSDALE

DEAR TAMI: Most pole building roof systems are designed to support a bare minimum roof dead load – usually 2.5 to 3.3 psf (pounds per square foot). If this is your case, then your structure would not be able to support this added weight. We made a decision a year ago to use a minimum top chord (roof) dead load on all our roof trusses spanning 40 feet or less of five psf – just in case our clients decided to sheet their roofs with OSB or plywood with an underlayment and didn’t tell us about it in advance.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We want to build a pole barn 48×60 feet, like the Hansen building: Project# 08-0602 in Decatur, AL. Is there an existing blueprint we could use to built the structure and see all the bearing poles with all the dimension? We will have a designer to create the inside of the building. Are there some existing construction plans with detailed planning?
Nive Regards, PETRA in GREENBRIER

DEAR PETRA: Thank you for your interest in a new custom designed, fully engineered Hansen Pole Building. While we, of course, have in our records engineered plans for this structure. Due to differences in Building Code versions (referenced building was under 2006 Codes), and variations in design snow and wind loads, we would furnish an updated structural set of blueprints with your investment in your new building. These plans detail out locations and connections for every structural component of your building.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 24×40 barn (steel sides, shingled/sheathed roof, concrete floor) that I’ll be heating. Walls and ceiling will have fiberglass batts insulation along with a vapor barrier on walls under OSB sheathing. OSB on ceiling as well. A buddy of mine caulked all his OSB joints then painted (latex) walls and ceiling in an attempt to further improve heating situation. In other blogs/questions you’ve answered with similar setups you talk about the importance of vapor and/or heated air needing to escape through ceiling into attic to help get rid of moisture. Will caulking and painting walls and ceiling limit the proper venting of moisture vapor from escaping my heated barn? JOHN in RICHLAND

DEAR JOHN: When buildings get so tight, it becomes necessary to use mechanical dehumidifying in order to prevent condensation challenges. For a barn, this might prove to be a greater investment than you wish to undertake.

Provided you have either no vapor barrier, or a Weather Resistant Barrier directly beneath your steel siding, if you caulk and paint interior walls, no vapor barrier and unfaced insulation will probably be more than an adequate design solution. You may want to consider rock wool batts as you are likely to have some condensation on inside of wall steel and fiberglass loses performance and can be prone to mold once it has gotten wet.