Proper Installation of Windstrips

Proper Installation of Windstrips®

Printer-friendly pdf version in English, en Español

WINDSTRIPS® have been developed to install easily and quickly while still providing the best wind protection for drying-in with 30-LB tarpaper. A standard 1 1/8" wide, 350" roll will protect approximately 800 sq. ft. of roof area, depending on how cut up the roof is. The following directions will insure you of the proper installation.

WINDSTRIPS® are installed with a standard staple hammer tacker or Pneumatic rapid fiire staple gun, using, as a minimum, 3/8" crown, 3/8" long galvanized staples. These should be no more than 9" apart, centered on the strip, so that both legs of the staple penetrate the WINDSTRIP®. They should be driven in hard enough so that the WINDSTRIP® is held securely flat against the roof surface, yet not so hard as to cut through it.

WINDSTRIPS® are to be installed everywhere there is an exposed edge of tar paper. This includes all eaves, ridges, rakes, hips, valleys, and horizontal field seams. They should be installed centered in the bottom 2" of a 36" wide sheet of felt, being sure that the staples penetrate both layers of felt at any seam. Stop the WINDSTRIP® 9" short of any sidewall so as to not allow water to side wash under your flashings.
(See Diagram)

WINDSTRIPS® are ready to install after laying out the felt and stapling it thoroughly in the field in a "W" pattern, with 5 staples per vertical row and the tops or bottoms of the "W" no more than 24" apart. To install WINDSTRIPS®, pick a seam to start with. Set a couple of staples in the end, then roll out the Windstrip stapling it down as you go. Be sure to pull the Windstrip tight as you staple it keeping it flat against the roof surface. When you come to the end of a row you can set a few staples in the end and tear the Windstrip or fold it and make a turn to continue in a different direction.

WINDSTRIPS® are specifically designed to increase productivity by allowing faster dry-ins with less risk of wind damage. Shingle right over WINDSTRIPS® with the material of your choice. WINDSTRIPS® will pucker slightly in the heat but lay down when shingled over. Due to the effect of sunlight on asphalt based products, install the shingles as soon as possible after dry-in to maintain the integrity of the felt. Always thoroughly examine the felt before shingling to insure there is no damage that will cause it to leak after installing the top layer of roofing materials. Valleys should be lined with 90 lb. mineral-surfaced rolled roofing or sheet metal at the time of dry-in due to shrinkage of the felt in the valley from sun exposure.