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DIY Playset Makeover New Roof: Complete

Playset Makeover: Simple DIY Roof Replacement Tutorial

May 17, 2017 Sarah Coggins
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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RoofedItMyself #CollectiveBias

One of the perks of purchasing our current house is that it came with a wooden playset. Our son has loved it from day one and now our daughter enjoys it as well. Unfortunately, the roof had begun to see far better days. My husband noted last fall that we needed to do something about it. A couple of weeks ago, we finally replaced it and I’m so grateful we did. Some of the boards had rotted to the point they were literally crumbling! That was scary knowing they had been over my kids’ heads.

Playset Makeover: Simple DIY Roof Replacement Tutorial

We started our replacement plan by measuring the existing roof. You know the old saying “measure twice, cut once”? So true.

Measure. Measure again. It never hurts.

Playset: Measuring Old Roof

Next, we headed to our nearby Lowe’s Home Improvement store to select new lumber and GAF roofing supplies. We were determined to make the roof stronger, longer lasting, and wanted it to look good. GAF Timberline® shingles are the best selling shingle in North America and have excellent video tutorials making them the perfect choice for DIYers like ourselves.

Lowe’s has a GAF Roofing display on one of the endcaps near the lumber section. It includes details on how to install a new roof along with specifications, color options, and sample boards to aid in your selection. We chose Timberline® Natural Shadow® shingles in Charcoal. The shingles, underlayment, and nails were all located in the aisle immediately adjacent to the display making them easy to find and load onto our cart.

GAF Roofing At Lowe's Home Improvement #ad #RoofedItMyself

We began our project by replacing the roof with new pressure treated lumber to match the original design. Obviously, if your playset roof is in good condition, you could skip that step.

Playset: Roof Lumber Replacement

Once the new roof was in place, we started the shingle installation. Here’s how to do-it-yourself:

Supplies

  • FeltBuster® High-Traction Synthetic Roofing Felt underlayment
  • Timberline® shingles – we used Natural Shadow® in Charcoal
  • TimberTex® Premium Ridge Cap Shingles
  • Galvanized steel roofing nails
  • Round plastic cap roofing nails
  • Hammer
  • Measuring tape
  • Chalk line (optional)
  • Metal straight edge (optional)
  • Utility knife
  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses

Instructions

Step 1 Measure your roof area. Roll out your FeltBuster® underlayment and cut to size. Depending on your project, you might be able to do so directly on the roof. Since ours was off the ground a bit, it was easier to do this in our driveway and then carry the pieces of underlayment to the playset.

Measuring GAF FeltBuster® Underlayment #ad #RoofedItMyself

Step 2 Install the underlayment per manufacturer’s instructions using round cap roofing nails. The printed grid design makes it easy to line it up and see where to place your nails.

Instal GAF FeltBuster® Underlayment #ad #RoofedItMyself

Step 3 Add shingles beginning at the bottom of the roof and working to one side. Then move up to the next row following the instructions inside the shingle packaging.

Installing GAF Timberline® Natural Shadow® #ad #RoofedItMyself

Trim any overhang once you reach the edge. I found it easier to measure the remaining distance and then cut a sheet to fit on the ground. Using a chalkline and metal straight edge made the process simple and quick.

Measuring GAF Timberline® Shingles #ad #RoofedItMyself
Cutting GAF Timberline® Shingles #ad #RoofedItMyself
DIY Playset Roof Shingle Installation

Step 4 Once you have reached the top of the roof, install TimberTex® ridge cap shingles along the top per the manufacturer’s instructions printed on the packaging. Trim the last piece at the roof edge.

Installing GAF TimberTex® Premium Ridge Cap Shingles #ad #RoofedItMyself
Playset: Installation of New Roof Shingles Complete #ad #RoofedItMyself

That’s it! The roof is done. Time to kick back and watch the kids enjoying their playset.

DIY Playset Makeover New Roof: Complete

Are you ready to tackle your own backyard roofing project now?


Find more great ideas on how to refresh your backyard playset here.

2 Comments

  • Amy March 19, 2018 at 4:26 pm
    Hi Sarah. Great job replacing and reshingling your roof. Did you use shingles for style or because their lower price point? Have a wonderful day.
  • Janell Richardson January 26, 2022 at 3:22 pm
    Nice job! We are currently building a play set and thought about doing shingles on the roof of it but we were concerned of the roofing nails poking through underneath the roof as they do on homes. Did you use thicker boards so they wouldn’t?
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    Sarah

    Hi! I'm a DIY and craft obsessed mom to 2. I have my hands covered in sawdust or paint any given day. My husband and kids join me in many of our projects. When we aren't creating at home, we're creating memories in our many adventures. Join along! Read More

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