A recent report predicts that the roofing underlayment market was worth around 22 billion US dollars as of the end of 2023 and was projected to increase by 5.8% growth rate reaching 22.8 billion in 2024. This also indicates how important the underlayment has become in the search for suitable and secure roofs. While your roof is a protective element from the weather elements, it is the roofing underlayment that sits underneath to add strength and resistance to harsh weather conditions all over the roof. As you handle your next roofing project, let’s assist you in spotting a few options that would work well as a roofing underlayment.
What is Roofing Underlayment?
Roofing underlayment is the second most important element in a roof structure. It is the material that is placed directly over the roof deck and underneath the primary coverings of the roof structure. It is meant to absorb water and moisture that could leak and damage the building. Nowadays, there are several underlayments available and the most popular are traditional felt and modern synthetic underlayment.
Significance of Underlayment in Roofing Systems
Underlayment works silently to protect your home and enhance the efficiency of the roof in all respects. It blocks water infiltration; thus, even when there are bare patches due to missing shingles or broken tiles, thanks to the support of the underlayment, as no leakage is possible.
And surely, an extra protection layer will help in increasing the durability of the roof and hence will prevent the owners from carrying out constant repair works. Further, underlayment could also act as a temporary shield until the topmost layer is applied in case of delays in installations due to climatic or other factors. Some underlayment has the additional feature of fire resistance which increases the safety levels of your house.
Types of Roofing Underlayment
Let’s go a bit further and understand three most widely used roofing underlayment materials and their uses.
Asphalt-Saturated Felt
In simple terms this is known as “felt paper.” Such underlayment is constructed by saturating a base material such as organic or fiberglass with asphalt. Felt paper is readily available and therefore is popular among many moderately priced homeowners. But it only does well under average circumstances and so doesn’t perform quite as well in the extreme regions. Also, it can probably rip off if poorly handled.
Synthetic Underlayment
These products are made from a combination of polymers. By virtue of their construction, this underlayment possesses great strength and weather resistant properties. They are very lightweight but at the same time very robust with excellent resistance to tearing, molds and UV rays. They are, however, very expensive, but the advantages that they provide over a long term usually offsets the costs incurred. This is especially true for regions having varied weather conditions.
Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment
It is an ideal choice for those aiming for an uncompromising waterproofing task. The material is self-sealing in the area around nails making it suitable for places that experience a lot of rainfall or snow. This underlayment is quite flexible and works well even in severe weather climates. Even though it is the most expensive option, it is the best one due to the quality and performance that it offers.
Top Underlayment Picks for 2024
The use of new technologies with a roofing underlayment provides the roof with more strength, better installation, and good coverage. Following are some of the best underlayment choices:
FeltBuster® Synthetic Roofing Felt by GAF: This underlayment is praiseworthy since it is composed of high-grade synthetic materials that are not moisture-absorbing and do not tear easily. They are lightweight materials which means quicker and easier installation. With the GAF Lifetime Shingle roofing systems, it qualifies for a lifetime limited warranty, hence offering long-term protection.
- RoofRunner® by CertainTeed: Very good performance because of high-quality, synthetic polymer-based construction. The self-adhering nature makes installation easy. However, the weight selection depends on the roofing requirement. Better waterproofing features and ability to withstand harsh climatic elements make this roofing underlayment more reliable.
- Grace Ice & Water Shield® by GCP: This self-sealing underlayment is specifically designed to provide unparalleled leak protection which would be useful for areas most likely to develop ice dams, are prone to heavy rainfall, or are located around chimneys.
- ProArmor® Synthetic Roof Underlayment by Owens Corning: It has the most desired combination of strength and protection. It is made up of fully synthetic material and adds to the roof’s life by providing an anti-slippery surface. It withstands harsh weather conditions allowing for a long-lasting shield.
- Tyvek® Protec™ 120 by DuPont: It acts as a defense against water infiltration which automatically provides reliable protection. The non-slip surface enhances safety. Also, it is resistant to UV rays for up to 90 days and has a Class A fire rating as well.
How to Choose the Best Roofing Underlayment
When looking at different roofing types, selecting an appropriate roofing underlayment is important to ensure your roof lasts for long. Follow these steps to make an informed choice:
Assessing Your Roofing Needs
Let’s say you want to start roof installation but with the best roofing underlayment that is easily available in your area, but you must evaluate your roofing needs first. What will the weather be like in your area? Do you get a lot of rain and snow in your area? If you do, you may have to go for an underlayment that has a better water resistance.
Furthermore, examine the style and pitch of your roof. A steeply sloped roof might require different underlayment compared to a flat one. Consider special environmental exposure conditions, like wind from the sea or even high amounts of sunlight that may affect the life and performance of the choice of underlayment.
Budget Considerations
Of course, we understand that you would like to purchase the most desirable materials, but there is always the cost versus performance relationship that needs to be met. In the case of ordinary waterproofing roofing sheets, the asphalt-saturated felt material is one of the cost-effective options. Nevertheless, the most inexpensive material will not be the most economical due to its possible future maintenance costs.
Professional Recommendations
When selecting your roofing underlayment, do not overlook the professional guidance. Qualified roofing specialists can suggest the best materials and techniques given the case and be able to point out the drawbacks and the benefits of the roofing underlayment. They can also help you understand the local codes and regulations which may influence your choice.
Underlayment Recommendation For Different Roofings
For roofing systems to perform as intended in all kinds of weather conditions, they should be accompanied by appropriate underlayments. Let’s see each of them in more detail now!
Metal Roofing
When compared to other underlayment material for metal roofing, synthetic underlayment tops the list as it is light-weight , cannot be torn easily and are paired with great moisture protection for the roof. This material is ideal for metal roofs that are exposed to great amounts of heat, as they do not allow the rooftops to heat up significantly. The synthetic material installed also helps the metal panels of the roofs stabilize during expansion and contraction, which leads to better performance of the roof in the long run.
Shingles
Asphalt-saturated felt performs exceptionally well with shingles roofs due to its low cost and widespread availability as compared to other types of roofing options. Synthetic options can be more efficient since they could be more leak resistant but are normally more expensive.
Flat Roof
Flat roofs are unique and require a self-adhering membrane as an underlayment. These membranes offer the best protection against water vapor and moisture to prevent leakage problems. Because they are adhesives, they remain permanently in place which is a good characteristic since flat roofs have minimal natural drainage.
Cedar Roof
As a result of its natural and environmentally friendly nature, the primary reasons synthetic underlayment is utilized for cedar roofing are that these materials do not allow water to be absorbed but rather allow the material to breathe. This is necessary to contain the warping factor and extend the lifespan of the cedar roof. Synthetic alternatives also prevent mold and mildew growth that will keep your cedar roof looking new for a longer period.
Conclusion
With everything that’s been stated above, it goes without saying that the selection of proper underlayment for the roof is crucial as it makes certain that the roof system is structurally sound, can withstand exposure and supplies adequate protection. Whatever the material you go with, be it quality installation or regular maintenance, there is a need for making sure that your roof’s lifespan is at its best. It is important to consider all aspects including climatic, budgetary and roof requirements before you select a particular underlayment. A professional will be able to advise you on the best advice that will keep your roof strong and resilient. Be it putting up a brand new roof or renovating the existing one, one of the best things to do is to invest into quality underlayment which will help your roof to last long and bring peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do You Need Furring Strips Under A Metal Roof?
Furring strips are recommended when installing a metal roof because they allow for space for airflow. This space prevents moisture from building up and provides a smoother surface for the roofing material. This improves the performance of the roof as well as adds extra insulation, meaning your home will use less energy.
Can I Use Tyvek for Roof Underlayment?
Yes, Tyvek is used as roofing underlayment, particularly Tyvek®️ Protec™️ 120. This type of underlayment for roofing is a kind of moisture barrier that is installed beneath the roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, metal sheets, and even cedar cladding to offer protection from water penetration.
Can I Use Roof Underlayment as House Wrap?
There is one similarity between roof underlayment and house wraps – they both help to resist moisture. However, they are intended for different uses. Roof underlayment is made to withstand the worst that the weather throws at it, whereas house wrap allows the house to breathe while providing weather protection. There is the potential for problems developing if both of them are used for the intended use.
Can Synthetic Roof Underlayment Get Wet?
While it is true that synthetic underlayment offers a clean and dry surface, it does pose some risks when exposed to continuous rain or snow. Most modern underlayment do have water resistant properties but, due to the design, they can hold wetness for a limited period, so it is worth installing the final roofing material soon.
Do I Need Tar Paper Under a Metal Roof?
Tar paper is necessary to be placed under a metal roof in order to provide further protection against moisture. The implication of doing this is that it would not be as likely for the metal roof to get damaged during harsh weather conditions, hence leading to a longer lifespan of the roof.
Is Roof Underlayment Waterproof?
Roof underlayment can differ in the level of waterproofing due to the material composition. For example, felt underlayment is only able to provide temporary water resistance but there are other materials that do offer better water resistance for longer times such as synthetic underlayment. It provides great water resistance, hence it is more reliable in areas which experience a lot of rain.
