There are a lot of different roofing components that work together to protect your roof. One of the most important is your roof underlayment.
Underlayment provides a waterproof barrier against moisture, which is important to keep your home dry and free from leaks. But before you can decide on the right type of underlayment for your roof, it’s important to know some basics about each type.
1. Waterproof
Roof coverings do a great job of protecting your home from the sun’s rays, rain, and wind. However, they’re not designed to carry all the weight and responsibility of protecting your home from the elements, which is why a roofing underlayment is important.
A waterproof underlayment is a must for homes in climates where high winds, rain, and snow are common. Having a moisture barrier is essential in helping to prevent mold, mildew, and other issues from developing, and it can also help save you money by extending the life of your roof.
There are several different types of underlayments that you can choose from. Depending on your budget and needs, you can opt for asphalt-saturated felt, rubberized asphalt, or synthetic underlayment.
Asphalt-saturated felt is the most popular type of underlayment for shingles, as it provides excellent protection against hail, wind, rain, and snow. It’s also easy to install and can protect your roof against leaks.
Another option is rubberized asphalt underlayment, which is an ideal choice for homes in areas with extreme temperature changes throughout the year. These underlayments are incredibly strong and can withstand ice dams, water damage, and other damaging weather conditions.
If you’re not sure which underlayment to choose, talk with a professional and find out what’s right for your home. They’ll be able to recommend the best materials for your home and provide you with a quote on the installation cost.
Regardless of the underlayment you choose, it’s important to have it installed correctly. Poorly-installed underlayment may cause a variety of moisture issues, including leaking around fasteners. This can result in costly repairs and replacements, so it’s essential to choose a quality underlayment.
2. Insulation
Insulation is a material that creates barriers for conductive heat flow. It is used to reduce the amount of heat lost from a building, and it’s also good for insulation around ducts and pipes.
There are several types of insulation materials for home use, including fiberglass, cellulose and foam. Each has its own insulating properties, and they come in various forms, such as batts, rolls and loose-fill.
Fiberglass: Made from glass fibers, fiberglass is the most common type of home insulation and can be found in batts or rolls. It’s also available as loose-fill, and it can be sprayed into place using a specially designed machine.
Cellulose: Made from recycled paper products, cellulose is another popular type of home insulation. It can be sprayed into place or installed in rigid foamboards. It’s non-toxic, fire-resistant and insect-resistant.
Foam: Made from polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, foam insulation can be sprayed into place or installed with rigid foamboards. It can be used to insulate floors, foundation and basement walls, interior and exterior wall sheathing and low-sloped ceilings.
Mineral wool: Made from either rock or slag wool, mineral wool insulation is a natural, fire-resistant material. It comes in batts, rolls and loose-fill and is also used to insulate around ducts and pipes.
Radiant barrier: A radiant barrier underlayment is a special kind of insulation that helps reflect infrared radiation to help regulate internal temperatures. It can be installed over traditional felt paper or other underlayments, and it provides a good surface for metal roofing.
In addition to being a good insulator, roof underlayments should be airtight. This helps keep warm air in the house and cool air out, which can save energy and money on heating and cooling costs.
3. Durability
Roof underlayments are a critical part of the roofing process. They protect the roofing material and help prevent water damage. They also act as an air barrier and extend the lifespan of the roof.
Underlayments are available in a variety of materials. Some are made from traditional materials such as asphalt, while others are synthetic. The choice of underlayment depends on a number of factors, including the climate in which you live and the type of roofing material you plan to use.
Synthetic underlayments are a popular option, as they offer increased durability and tear resistance. They are also lightweight, making installation easier. Larger rolls of synthetic underlayment also allow you to cover more area in one go, so you can minimize seams.
Another durable type of underlayment is rubberized asphalt. It offers superior weather protection and is less expensive than felt or synthetic underlayment.
It is a good choice for homes that are more likely to be affected by mold and mildew. Unlike felt, it is inert to mold, so it won’t attract and cause mold growth in your home.
Felt paper is also commonly used for roofing, but it comes with its own set of limitations. Typically, it is not fire-resistant and can burn easily. In addition, it is prone to breaking down under UV rays, which can quickly degrade it.
4. Easy to Install
Whether you’re installing a new roof or repairing one, the underlayment layer is crucial. This is because it provides a secondary layer of protection from rain and moisture that can otherwise damage your roof deck and shingles. Professional roofing contractors like Green bay roofers know how important this layer is.
There are several types of roof underlayments to choose from including felt paper, rubberized asphalt and synthetic underlayment. All of them provide different properties that can make them ideal for certain situations.
For example, felt underlayment is a traditional and inexpensive choice for roofing projects. It comes in 15 or 30-pound rolls that are made of combinations of polyester and natural plant fibers soaked in bitumen. It is easy to install and works well for homes with a low sloped roof.
Synthetic underlayment is a more modern choice that has many advantages over its predecessors, including fewer tear marks and easier installation. It is also safer for your crew to work with because it repels water and holds roofing nails better.
Another benefit is that synthetic underlayments are lighter than felt, making it easier for your crew to move around on the roof. This means that you can get the job done faster and at a lower cost!
Additionally, synthetic underlayment can be used in a variety of temperatures. It will keep your home cool during hot summer days and reflects heat back into your house, helping you save money on energy costs.
Lastly, a good quality underlayment can stand up to high winds. This will help keep your home safe from wind damage and prevent any potential leaks during stormy weather. It can even help reduce noise levels in your home. This will allow you and your family to enjoy your home more regardless of the weather outside!
5. Affordable
Roof underlayments are an essential part of a new roof installation or re-roofing project. They provide a waterproof barrier to keep moisture out of your home and also insulate the roof. They are made from either felt paper or synthetic material, and each type offers its own properties.
Felt paper is the most traditional type of underlayment and is typically used on low-slope roofs. Felt is composed of polyester and natural plant fibers that are saturated with asphalt to create a thick, durable product that resists tearing and other wear and tear on your roof. Felt comes in lighter-weight (15 pound) and heavy-duty (30 pound) varieties, and is generally less expensive than synthetic underlayment.
Synthetic underlayment, on the other hand, is typically made from woven or spun polyethylene or polypropylene. These underlayments are significantly more durable and tear-resistant than saturated asphalt felt and offer increased resistance to the elements, but they are not as affordable as rubberized asphalt underlayment.
The biggest factor determining which underlayment to use is your location and climate. Synthetic underlayments tend to be more resilient in warmer regions, while roofing felt is more suitable for arid areas where snow and rain are frequent.
Many of the best synthetic underlayments feature traction to reduce the chance of slips, especially during installation. Grip-Rite ShingleLayment, for example, is a great option for homeowners looking to protect their investment without breaking the bank. It is available in rolls 250 feet long by 4 feet wide and provides a good level of protection for the roofing deck. It also promotes a clean and consistent installation for better water resistance.