Many homeowners are only considerate about the thin outer layer of roofing while planning to restore, replace, or install new shingles from scratch. If you’re living in the Lone Star State and swinging between conventional asphalt shingles and metal shingles, it might make you forget about the importance and difference in felt vs synthetic underlayment Texas. Sometimes, you may not even consider underlayment, which is where the root cause of the problems may arise. But there’s no need to worry because our roofing services Texas are right at your doorstep!
Roof shingles are sandwiched between the roof sheathing, also known as the roof deck. Most often, it is made of plywood decking or Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and the underlayment. The roof deck is put first, followed by the underlayment, which is set immediately on top. It provides extra weather protection and absorbs moisture penetration that your roof is prone to.
Classification of Roof Underlayment
It is necessary to understand the difference between felt vs synthetic underlayment Texas so you can easily decide which variant would prove to be the best for your residential or commercial roof.
Roof underlayment is also referred to as ‘felt paper’ or ‘ice and water shield.’ It is classified into two types, which are as follows: felt underlayment and synthetic underlayment.
Let’s go through a quick guide on felt vs synthetic underlayment Texas to assist you in making the right decision for appropriate installation.
Felt Underlayment
For almost a century, traditional felt paper has been utilized in most residential and commercial roofing systems, and its material composition has remained substantially unaltered. As felt paper is manufactured from recycled materials, it is considered an eco-friendly solution. It is also quite challenging and can survive harsh weather conditions.
Synthetic Roof Underlayment
Artificial underlayment might be more costly than felt. Besides, it is a new product in the construction landscape; therefore, there is little evidence available on its long-term performance.
Felt vs Synthetic Underlayment Texas
For many years, asphalt-felt roof underlayment has been the industry standard, while synthetic roofing underlayment has grown in favor in recent years due to its improved performance and efficient longevity.
Now that you know the primary distinguishing factors between felt vs synthetic underlayment Texas, it would be easier for you to judge the most suitable version of underlayment for your home based on their individualized benefits, which are mentioned below:
Benefits of Synthetic Roof Underlayment
- Because synthetic roofing underlayment is lighter than asphalt felt, it is simpler to work with and less prone to cause roof deck damage during installation.
- It is more resistant to ripping in high winds and punctures than asphalt felt, making it excellent for regions prone to foot traffic or other forms of mechanical damage.
- When exposed to harsh weather, synthetic layering is more resistant to UV radiation, which means it will not degrade as rapidly as traditional felt paper.
- If properly constructed, synthetic roofing underlayment is more breathable than asphalt-soaked, felt underlayment, enabling moisture to escape from the roof deck and reducing condensation accumulation that can cause roof leaks.
- It comes in a range of hues, making it simple to match the color of your roof shingles.
- This underlayment has a longer lifespan than asphalt felt paper, requiring less replacement.
- Because synthetic roofing underlayment is recyclable, it is an eco-friendly version of asphalt felt.
Benefits of Felt Roof Underlayment
- This type of felt ice and water shield is often the preferable choice for roofing professionals and homeowners alike because:
- It has a longer shelf-life as compared to the synthetic variants, which are manufactured from various materials, such as plastic, rubber, and fiberglass. These materials are less resilient than felt and are more prone to wear and tear during roof construction.
- Felt paper is more resistant to wind-driven rain and ice dams. It is more successful than synthetic underlayment in preventing water leaks, making it a better alternative for locations prone to severe weather.
- Felt underlayment is easier to install because they can be easily attached with staples or nails.
Conclusion
After this discussion, you should now be able to choose between felt vs synthetic underlayment Texas because it is one of several critical roofing elements that make up your overall roofing system. However, there is no one-size-fits-all option for roofing underlayment. Our experts help you choose the appropriate type of underlayment for your project, which is determined by a variety of criteria, including the environment, roofing material, and budget. You can also avail of Only Roofing’s services for roof replacement Woodlands.
