Your roof is more than just sheathing and shingles. A layer of protective material known as roofing underlayment lies between your roof’s plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) decking and tiles. Underlayment is a crucial component of your roof’s makeup — without it, your roof would be vulnerable to water damage.
Discover more about roofing underlayment and how it protects your home or commercial building.
Why Does Your Home or Building Need Roof Underlayment?
All roofs — whether gently sloped, flat, pitched or anything in between — need roofing underlayment to protect and preserve their integrity and longevity. Suppose your shingles or tiles are blown away in the event of high winds or a severe storm. In that case, your roof’s underlayment offers a watertight barrier that protects the structural components of your roof from moisture ingress until you can call a professional repair team. Ultimately, your underlayment acts to:- Protect your ceiling and home from moisture build-up and damage.
- Prevent mold, mildew and other unwanted growth.
- Preserve the structural integrity and strength of your roof.
Synthetic vs. Felt Underlayment
There are two primary kinds of underlayment — synthetic and felt. Depending on your goals as a homeowner, each has its unique advantages.Tar Paper or Felt Underlayment
Felt underlayment has been around for decades and comes in two forms — 15-pound and 30-pound rolls. Tar paper underlayment is long-lasting, breathable and relatively inexpensive for budget-conscious homeowners. Homeowners should be mindful that felt underlayment is heavy, slippery and tears easily, so take extra precautions when attempting to self-install tar paper on a residential roofing project. You should contact a roofing professional like US Roofing.
Synthetic Underlayment
Synthetic underlayment is made of hardwearing, moisture-resistant polymers to offer a lasting, low-maintenance roofing solution. It’s an enduring, lightweight, easy-to-install material typically resistant to prolonged UV exposure, making it an excellent option for harsher, sunnier climates. The synthetic polymer material isn’t as slick as tar paper and doesn’t tear as easily, making it a safer material to install.Get an Expert’s Opinion With US Roofing Today
Are you considering a roof replacement or curious about what kind of underlayment suits your roofing project best? Our experienced, licensed and bonded contractors are here to help. Get an expert’s opinion and stay safe when you have our team professionally install your roofing underlayment. Contact us today to learn more about our roofing services. Call (855) 877-6631 or fill out our online contact form to ask questions or schedule your risk-free consultation!