Pros and Cons of Synthetic and Felt Roofing Underlayment

There are many different components involved in your homes’ roofing system. Roofing underlayment sits between the roof deck and roof covering, and helps to protect your roof from moisture and damage. Here are the pros and cons of felt and synthetic roof underlayment:

Felt Roofing Underlayment

Felt is one of the oldest types of roofing underlayment in the industry and comes in two types — No.15 felt and No. 30 felt. No. 30 felt tends to be thicker, stronger, and is less prone to tearing during installation or harsh weather. This type of roofing underlayment is also more cost effective than other options.

There are some disadvantages to using felt roofing underlayment though. It isn’t good to leave it exposed for more than a few hours since it can dry out or leach oils in heat. It also tends to be more difficult to install and can tear during the installation process or high winds.

Synthetic Roofing Underlayment

Synthetic roofing underlayment is a great option since it offers enhanced water-resistance and protection from the elements. Some of the other pros for this type of roofing underlayment are that it’s very durable, resistant to mold growth, and can be installed quickly.

Synthetic roofing underlayment isn’t standardized though, so manufacturers may make their products differently, which means there will be different levels of quality and performance. Synthetic roofing underlayment also tends to be the more expensive option in comparison.

Our team of experts at Roof Wizards is here to help come to the right decision! If you have more questions about roofing materials, or you’re ready to get a new roof installed, contact us today and get your free estimate