CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004   FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM

 

At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

Why Is Roofing Underlayment Important?

 

Your roofing system is made up of many different components that work together to safeguard your home from weather elements and other environmental threats.  One of these components is the roofing underlayment, a fundamental part that makes the entire structure stable and effective.  The roofing underlayment is what goes on top of this sheathing material. It offers a secondary layer of protection from moisture intrusion should any water get under your shingles.

What Is Roofing Underlayment?

Roofing underlayment is a barrier material that’s typically installed directly onto your roof deck.  Depending on how your home was constructed, the skeleton of your roof is made up of rafters or trusses.

The roof deck, also sometimes called roof sheathing, might be:

• Plywood

• OSB, or

• Step sheathing

These boards are fastened onto the rafters or trusses to help stabilize the rafters or trusses and give structure to the entire roof.

The Role of Roofing Underlayment

The underlayment is either a water-resistant or waterproof material.  It is installed directly onto the roof deck and under all other roofing materials, including the shingles and flashing, as an additional barrier against severe weather elements like rain, snow, hail and heat.  Without the underlayment, moisture will easily soak into the roof sheathing and cause a multitude of problems ranging from mold and mildew to rot and leaks.

Types of Roofing Underlayment

In general, there are three types of roofing underlayment: felt, self-adhered, and synthetic.  Each has its own benefits and advantages, and the type you choose generally depends on what your roofing contractor is comfortable with and your local building codes and regulations.

Asphalt-saturated, non-bitumen synthetic, and rubberized asphalt are the three main types of roofing underlayment.  Here is a quick breakdown of their pros and cons:

• Asphalt-saturated felt used to be the most widely used underlayment until synthetic materials became commonplace in the roofing industry.  This is one of the oldest types of roofing underlayment.  It’s commonly referred to as tar paper or felt paper.  It’s made of an organic mat or paper that has been saturated with asphalt to help with water resistance.  While the felt paper, a product saturated in crude oil byproducts, is flexible and water-resistant, it is not resistant to ultraviolet damage and is easily damaged during installation.  It is readily available and relatively inexpensive, but does not last as long as other underlayments due to its volatile nature.  Some roofing contractors commonly use felt underlayment when working with slate or tile shingles, while others may prefer self-adhered underlayment.

• Rubberized asphalt underlayment is completely waterproof and more heat resistant than asphalt-saturated felt.  Because most of these products are peel-and-stick, they tend to self-seal around nails and staples.  The only drawback to rubberized asphalt is its cost.  It offers premium benefits, so you are likely to pay more than you would for other types of roofing underlayment.

  This kind of underlayment contains high percentages of asphalt and rubber polymers, making it a water-resistant solution for roofing underlayment.  Self-adhered underlayments have a sticky back, so they can adhere to the roof deck. This sticky backing helps create a waterproof seal between the roof deck and the underlayment. This type of underlayment is designed to protect the roof from damage where water tends to collect or where penetration in the roof deck exists.

  Examples of these leak-prone areas include:

  • Eaves

  • Valleys

  • Vents

  • Chimneys, and

  • Skylights

  Self-adhered underlayments are very useful in regions that receive severe winter weather.  The upper surface of this type of roofing underlayment may contain granulated, polyethylene, or polyester materials to provide weather-resistant benefits.  It also creates a non-skid surface, designed to make it safer for roofers to install, as it might be easier for them to walk around on.

• Non-bitumen synthetic underlayment is generally made from polyethylene or polypropylene polymers.   Since it is a synthetic material, it is much lighter and usually has better wind resistance and tear strength than other underlayments.   Non-bitumen is one of the more costly products on the market, but its ease of installation and long lifespan usually offset this particular drawback.

Within the last decade or so, synthetic underlayment has been a popular option for homeowners.  While materials may vary by manufacturer, most synthetic roofing underlayment is comprised of multiple layers of various polymers woven together.

Synthetic underlayments typically have several advantages.

• Tough, durable and tear-resistant

• Lighter, with more coverage per roll (in comparison to most other types of underlayment products), reducing ladder trips

• Secure walking surface

• Clear, delineated lines and overlap guides for enhanced installation

• Repels water and is inert to mold

Why Is Roofing Underlayment Necessary?

In the never-ending battle against the elements that homeowners and contractors wage, your shingles are certainly your first line of defense.  Shingles can help reflect the sun’s rays, obstruct precipitation, and withstand high winds.

However, roofing underlayment adds a second layer of protection that:

• Safeguards your roof should your shingles tear-away due to high winds

• Helps protect your roof deck from damage caused by ice dams during cold weather snaps

• Shields your roof from bad weather during the installation process, prior to shingle attachment

To meet local building codes, your home’s roofing system must include a roofing underlayment product and roof covering.  Additionally, shingle manufacturers require an underlayment as part of their warranty.