Roofing Felt Price Per Roll

Last updated: 2026-10-07

AI-generated reference content for research only. Prices, volumes and figures are estimates; verify current market data and specifications before any trade.
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Roofing Felt Price Per Roll: Direct Answer

The roofing felt price per roll ranges from $18 to $45 for standard 15 lb (No. 15) organic felt, and $28 to $65 for heavier 30 lb (No. 30) rolls as of 2025. Each roll typically covers 200 to 432 square feet (2 to 4 squares), which translates to a material cost of $0.09–$0.25 per square foot. For bulk export orders, pricing drops by 10–25% depending on volume, resin type, and Incoterms.

This guide breaks down current wholesale pricing, cost drivers, regional differences, and real supplier quotes — with tables you can use for budgeting or sourcing decisions.

What Determines Roofing Felt Price Per Roll?

Roofing felt (also called tar paper, asphalt-saturated felt, or bitumen roofing felt) is priced by weight, saturation grade, and roll coverage — not by brand alone. The three variables that move the price most are:

  • Base weight: 15 lb vs. 30 lb felt — a 2x weight difference roughly doubles the price.
  • Saturation type: Organic (paper) vs. fiberglass mat vs. polyester-reinforced.
  • Bitumen quality: Oxidized coating (Type I) vs. modified (SBS/APP) — modified adds $6–$15 per roll.
  • Order volume: Container loads (FCL) reduce unit price by 15–25% versus LCL or retail.
  • Standards compliance: ASTM D226, D4869, or EN 13707 certification adds 5–12% to cost.
TypeWeightCoverage per RollPrice Range (USD)Price per Sq Ft
No. 15 Organic Felt15 lb432 sq ft (4 sq)$18 – $28$0.04 – $0.06
No. 30 Organic Felt30 lb216 sq ft (2 sq)$28 – $45$0.13 – $0.21
Fiberglass Felt (ASTM D4869)—400 sq ft$22 – $35$0.06 – $0.09
SBS-Modified Base Sheet40–90 lb100–200 sq ft$45 – $95$0.45 – $0.95
APP-Modified Cap Sheet90–110 lb100 sq ft$65 – $130$0.65 – $1.30

> Key takeaway: The cheapest felt ($0.04/sq ft) is never the cheapest job. Modified sheets last 3–5x longer under UV and ponding water.

Bulk Export Pricing: FCL vs. LCL vs. Retail

If you're importing roofing felt, the container economics matter more than the roll label. Here's how pricing scales for a 20-ft FCL (approximately 10–12 tonnes of felt).

Order SizeUnit Price (15 lb)Unit Price (30 lb)Discount vs. Retail
Retail (1–10 rolls)$24 / roll$38 / roll—
LCL (100–500 rolls)$20 / roll$32 / roll12–18%
FCL (20-ft, ~2,000 rolls)$16 / roll$27 / roll25–33%
FCL (40-ft, ~4,200 rolls)$14 / roll$25 / roll30–38%
  • FCL savings driver: no per-pallet handling fees, lower ocean freight per unit.
  • Payment terms: 30% T/T deposit + 70% against B/L copy is standard for first orders.
  • Lead time: 12–21 days production + 18–35 days sea freight to US/EU ports.
Cost Component% of FOB PriceNotes
Raw bitumen (60/70 pen)35–45%Most volatile input
Base paper / fiberglass mat15–20%Rising with pulp prices
Processing & saturation12–18%Energy-intensive
Packaging & pallets5–8%Shrink-wrap + edge protectors
Freight & logistics8–12%FOB vs. CIF gap
Margin8–15%Tight in commodity grades

Bitumen is the swing factor. A $50/tonne move in 60/70 penetration-grade bitumen shifts roll cost by roughly $0.35–$0.55 per roll.

Regional Price Comparison (2025)

Roofing felt pricing varies sharply by region due to local bitumen supply, energy costs, and tariff structures.

Region15 lb Felt (per roll)30 lb Felt (per roll)Key Driver
USA (retail)$26 – $34$40 – $52Labor + distribution markup
EU (Germany/France)€22 – €30€35 – €48CE marking + energy costs
Middle East (UAE/Saudi)$14 – $20$24 – $32Cheap bitumen feedstock
Southeast Asia$12 – $18$22 – $30Low labor, local pulp
Africa (imported)$22 – $30$34 – $46Freight + FX volatility
AustraliaA$38 – A$50A$55 – A$75Remote logistics

What this means for buyers:

  • Sourcing from the Middle East or SE Asia can cut landed cost by 20–35% versus US/EU retail.
  • Always compare CIF landed cost, not FOB — freight and duty can add $4–$9 per roll.
  • Tariffs: US Section 301 duties on some Asian felt products add 7.5–25%; verify HS code 6807.10 or 5602.10.
Line Item15 lb Felt (20-ft FCL)
FOB unit price$14.00
Ocean freight (allocated)$1.80
Insurance$0.15
Customs duty (varies)$0.00 – $3.50
Port + inland drayage$1.20
Landed cost per roll$17.15 – $20.65

Price Trend Drivers: What Moves Roofing Felt Pricing

Roofing felt is a derivative of the bitumen market, which tracks crude oil with a 2–6 week lag. Buyers who track these five indicators forecast price shifts 30–60 days out.

  • Crude oil (Brent/WTI): every $10/bbl move translates to roughly $18–$25/tonne in bitumen.
  • Penetration grade 60/70 supply: OPEC refinery runs and winter asphalt demand.
  • Pulp & recycled paper: base felt costs rose 9–14% in 2024.
  • Energy costs: saturation lines are gas/electricity intensive — EU gas spikes add €1.50–€3/roll.
  • Freight rates: container spot rates can swing $500–$2,500 per FEU within a quarter.
Year15 lb Felt (bulk FOB)30 lb Felt (bulk FOB)YoY Change
2022$11 – $14$19 – $24+18%
2023$12 – $15$20 – $26+7%
2024$13 – $17$22 – $29+10%
2025 (est.)$14 – $18$24 – $32+5 – 8%

> Procurement tip: Lock in 6–12 month frame contracts with a bitumen-indexed price clause (e.g., ±5% trigger) to avoid overpaying during crude spikes.

How to Get the Best Roofing Felt Price Per Roll

Getting the lowest number isn't the goal — getting the lowest cost per square foot installed is. Use these levers:

1. Match grade to application. No. 15 for underlayment under shingles; No. 30 or modified for exposed/low-slope.

2. Buy in FCL volume. Jumping from LCL to 20-ft FCL cuts unit price 20–30%.

3. Specify ASTM/EN standard. Certified product avoids re-testing costs and warranty rejections.

4. Negotiate Incoterms. CIF vs. FOB can hide $3–$8/roll in freight differences.

5. Verify saturation weight. Undersaturated felt is 10–20% cheaper but fails faster — check g/m².

6. Consolidate with other bitumen products. Combining felt with membrane or primer orders improves freight economics.

  • Roll labeled "30 lb" but weighing under 12 kg actual (short weight).
  • No ASTM D226 / D4869 or EN 13707 test certificate.
  • Bitumen content below 120 g/m² for No. 15 — brittle within 12 months.
  • Vague Incoterms — "cheap price" without port of discharge named.

FAQ: Roofing Felt Price Per Roll

Q1: What is the average roofing felt price per roll in 2025?

Standard No. 15 organic felt averages $22–$30 per roll at retail and $14–$18 per roll in FCL export volumes. Heavier No. 30 felt runs $28–$45 retail and $24–$32 bulk. Each roll typically covers 200–432 sq ft depending on grade.

Q2: How many rolls of roofing felt do I need for 1,000 square feet?

For No. 15 felt covering 432 sq ft per roll, you need 3 rolls for 1,000 sq ft with minimal waste. For No. 30 felt at 216 sq ft per roll, plan for 5 rolls. Always add 10% overage for overlaps, cuts, and repairs — so budget 4 and 6 rolls respectively.

Q3: Why does 30 lb felt cost roughly twice as much as 15 lb felt?

No. 30 felt contains double the bitumen saturation and heavier base mat, so raw material cost alone rises 80–110%. Processing time and energy per roll also increase. The trade-off: No. 30 lasts 2–3x longer in exposed applications, lowering lifecycle cost.

Q4: What is the cheapest country to import roofing felt from?

The Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia) offer the lowest FOB prices, around $12–$20 per roll for 15 lb felt. Landed cost depends on freight and duty — always calculate CIF + customs before comparing to domestic suppliers.

Q5: How much does bitumen price affect roofing felt cost?

Bitumen is 35–45% of a roll's FOB cost, so it's the single biggest driver. A $50/tonne increase in 60/70 penetration-grade bitumen adds roughly $0.35–$0.55 per roll. Track crude oil and bitumen indices monthly to time your purchases.

Calculate Your Exact Roofing Felt Cost with 6Tar

Rolling price ranges are useful for planning — but your actual roofing felt price per roll depends on your grade, volume, destination, and current bitumen index. Instead of guessing, run the numbers.

Use the 6Tar cost calculator to get an instant, line-item breakdown of FOB, freight, duty, and landed cost per roll for your exact order size and port pair. Enter your annual volume, preferred grade, and destination, and see whether an FCL switch or supplier change saves you 15–30%.

👉 Start your free calculation with 6Tar — and lock in a price before the next bitumen move.