Roofing Felt
When it comes to protecting your roof and your home, roof felt plays a crucial role.
ROOFING
Why Underlayment Matters in Harsh Weather
Best Roofing Underlayment Options for Wind, Snow, and Ice Protection
At Goad Construction, we take our Midwest weather seriously when designing a roofing system.
Homeowners “who actually know” realize that roof underlayment is a critical water-resistant barrier installed directly on the plywood roof deck beneath the primary roofing material. The underlayment protects the home from moisture, wind-driven rain, snow and ice. It acts as a crucial backup if shingles blow off or water gets underneath shingles during a storm.
The roof underlayment is not an optional filler. It is a vital, secondary defense system that is required to resist the potential damage from wind uplift, snow load, and ice dams. Selecting the right roof underlayment and having it professionally installed is especially important in the extreme weather of the Midwest.
Types of Roof Underlayment
For Midwest winters, famous for their ice, snow, and storms, the best roofing underlayment is a rubberized asphalt, self-adhering membrane, otherwise known as an Ice and Water Shield. This provides a superior seal that is watertight and resists against ice dams and wind-driven snow.
Combining an Ice and Water Shield with a high-quality synthetic underlayment over other parts of the roof deck provides durability and traction. This combination offers the best defense against moisture infiltration from severe weather and the freeze/thaw/refreeze cycle that winter brings. This, in turn, protects against ice dams, rot, mold, and structural damage.
More About Ice and Water Shield Underlayment
There are two main types of roofing underlayment: felt and synthetic. Each product has its pros and cons, and the type your roofer selects depends on your geographic area, roofing materials to be used, roof design, budget, and weather factors. We will get into detail later in this article, but for now, what type is best for where we live?
What is the Best Roofing Underlayment for Snow, Wind, and Ice in the Midwest?
Best practices for installing underlayment in areas with harsh weather, like in the Midwest, include using an Ice and Water Shield in combination with a synthetic underlayment. The synthetic underlayment is tear-resistant, non-absorbent, and offers excellent moisture protection. It stays pliable in the cold and provides traction for the installers on the roof. These features, along with its affordability, make it an excellent choice for the main roof deck.
The Ice and Water Shield is installed strategically in low slope areas where water tends to back up, and the synthetic underlayment is installed over most other areas of the roof deck.
Is Ice and Water Shield Underlayment Worth the Extra Cost?
An Ice and Water Shield underlayment is a sticky membrane that creates a waterproof barrier under the roof shingles. It is especially essential in vulnerable areas like eaves, valleys, and around chimneys and vents to prevent ice damming and wind-driven rain from getting through. It has a self-adhesive backing, so no nails or fasteners are needed, eliminating the risk of rain and snow penetrating those areas as well.
Pros and Cons of the Basic Underlayment Types
As a refresher, remember that the underlayment acts as a secondary water barrier that protects against water infiltration if the main roof covering fails. It keeps the roof deck dry, preventing warping and swelling during construction. The underlayment also prevents wood resins from damaging shingles and helps to meet fire ratings.
In addition, it provides a non-slip surface for workers, while on the roof preparing and installing the roof system. There are two types of basic underlayment – Felt and Synthetic.
Felt Roofing Underlayment.
One of the oldest types of roofing underlayment, felt is created by saturating paper or fiberglass with asphalt.
Pros:
Felt costs less compared to synthetic underlayment.
Cons:
Felt cannot be left exposed for more than a few hours as it dries out or leaches oil in hot weather. This impacts the felt’s ability to protect against moisture.
If exposed to moisture, felt can wrinkle, making it harder for shingles to lie flat.
Prone to tearing in high winds and during installation.
Felt weighs more than synthetic; there is less material per roll, resulting in more seams.
It has a slippery surface, making installation more difficult.
Felt paper may be the traditional choice, but it is not ideal for heavy wind, snow, or ice. It can absorb water and become brittle, cracking in cold weather, which can lead to failure.
Synthetic Roofing underlayment.
Pros:
Exceptionally durable; cannot be torn by hand.
Fast to install
Synthetic has a non-slip surface, safer for installers
Repels water
Synthetic underlayment is manufactured from long-lasting polymers, which provide added strength and longevity. It is moisture-resistant, and when installed correctly, it offers better protection from harsh weather, compared to felt underlayment.
Synthetic roof underlayment doesn’t tear and is suitable for extended UV and moisture exposure. This can be especially helpful if there is a gap between the installation of the underlayment and the shingles. It is strong and outperforms traditional felt in high wind environments.
Synthetic roof underlayment is up to four times lighter than other underlayment and is quick to install. There is more material per roll compared to felt. That translates to fewer trips up and down the ladder to gather rolls and fewer seams or overlaps in the underlayment layer.
Synthetic roof underlayment is moisture resistant. It was designed to repel water, while felt tends to absorb water. Synthetic underlayment is made of plastic, so it is resistant to mold growth as well.
Synthetic underlayment stands up to the installers walking on it during installation. It will perform as designed even after taking abuse during installation.
Lastly, synthetic roof underlayment is better for worker safety. The surface features a variety of slip-resistant surfaces for enhanced walkability.
Goad Construction uses synthetic underlayment on all of our roofing projects. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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