If you're upgrading your home's roof, it's important to understand how synthetic underlayment differs from roof felt paper. It is a large investment to install a new roof, and you want to ensure it is done right. It is important to consider underlayment when choosing roofing materials, types, and budgets so you can extend the life of your roof.

What Is Roofing Underlayment?

Without understanding what roofing underlayment is in the first place, it's impossible to compare synthetic roof underlayment with felt. Between the plywood or OSB layer and the shingles is the roofing underlayment. A roofing underlayment protects the roof deck from moisture and weather by being installed directly.

The roofing underlayment essentially provides additional protection for your roof against the elements. Your roof will be protected from rain, snow, and wind, making your home safer and more energy-efficient against leaks and water damage.

Types of Roofing Underlayment

It is important to consider two main types of roofing underlayment: felt paper and synthetic underlayment. You should compare these two options carefully for your roof installation because both have pros and cons.

Roofing materials, roof designs, budgets, geographical locations, and how you work with roofing contractors determine which is best for your home. Before making your final decision, talk to your roofing contractor. In the end, you will have the best possible project.

Synthetic Roof Underlayment vs. Felt Underlayment

What is Felt Roofing Underlayment?

Paper or fiberglass mats with asphalt are used as a felt underlayment. There are many thicknesses and strengths of this type of roofing underlayment. There is usually a difference in strength, and tear resistance between thicker and thinner felt roofing underlayment, but it is also more costly and heavier.

Pros

One of the main advantages of felt underlayment is its incredibly low cost. Felt is a more affordable option than most synthetic underlayment, so it is a popular choice among homeowners on a budget.

Here’s a condensed list of felt roofing underlayment advantages:

• Low cost
• Breathability
• Easy installation

Cons

The low cost of felt roofing underlayment is an advantage but also one of its biggest disadvantages. Due to its short durability and inability to be exposed to the elements for more than a few hours, felt underlayment is ineffective in protecting against moisture.

Here are the main disadvantages of felt underlayment:

• Tough to tear (especially during installation and in high wind conditions)
• When too much time is spent on installation, it can wrinkle and buckle.
• Due to its weight, felt underlayment is more difficult to install than synthetic underlayment.
• Slippery surface, making installation more difficult
• It does not hold up well to boot traffic

What Is Synthetic Underlayment?

Underlayments made of synthetic materials are usually made from long-lasting polymers. This underlayment is becoming increasingly popular with roofing contractors and homeowners due to its enhanced moisture resistance and durability. Compared to the synthetic underlayment, roof felt paper offers the best protection from the elements when installed correctly.

Unlike synthetic roofing underlayment, synthetic roofing underlayment is not standardized. As a result, manufacturers can make theirs in different ways so that they may perform differently.

Pros

Underlayment made from synthetic materials is easy to install and strong. Underlayment made of synthetic materials is much more durable than felt, which is easy to rip and tear. This underlayment is easy to install, safe to use, and tough and water-resistant. Some of the pros to consider are:

• Easy installation
• Water-repelling
• Tough, durable construction with high tear resistance
• Durability against UV rays, moisture, and winds (so it can withstand exposure far longer than felt underlayment can)
• Higher heat tolerance
• It makes roofing installation much easier because it can withstand boot traffic.
• Lightweight

Cons

There are some advantages to synthetic roofing underlayment, but there are also some disadvantages you need to know about, so you know what you are getting into:

• Synthetic roofing underlayment tends to be more expensive than felt
• Little to no standardization across manufacturers

Call Kreunen Construction at 901-245-6571 now! We will help you immediately! We service areas in Memphis, Germantown, and Collierville, TN and Olive Branch, Southaven, and Oxford, MS.