What to Know About the Underlayment on Your Home's Roof
Posted on: 29 April 2020
Underlayment is an important part of your home's roofing system. It works with the asphalt shingles to keep rain and moisture away from the deck. You may think of getting replacement shingles for your roof when it's time to get new roofing installed, but new underlayment is important too. Here are some things to know about underlayment.
Your Roofer Can Choose the Right Type
Your roofing company representative helps you choose the right underlayment for your home based on local climate and other factors. There are three types to choose from. One is felt paper or tar paper. This used to be the popular choice, and if your roof is old, it may have felt paper underlayment on it now.
Another type is synthetic underlayment, and this may be what your roofer chooses when you have a new roof installed since it is a popular choice due to its durability and ability to protect against moisture. Felt underlayment is water-resistant, synthetic underlayment is water-resistant or waterproof, and the third option is waterproof.
The third type of roofing underlayment is a rubber-based product, and it's not as popular since it's expensive, but it's a good choice for some homes. It might also be chosen for specific areas such as roof valleys that are prone to leaking.
Roof Underlayment Can Need Repairs
Roof underlayment is tough, especially the synthetic version that has added fiberglass. However, it's possible for felt underlayment to rot or be damaged by a raccoon or squirrel gnawing a hole in your roof.
When there is shingle damage caused by a hole in your roof, the roofing contractor also checks the condition of the underlayment and deck so those can be replaced if needed. Just like shingles can be spot repaired, underlayment can be replaced in small sections so the entire roof doesn't have to be torn off.
Underlayment Can Enhance Fire Resistance
When you want the highest fire rating for your home, the roofing contractor takes the fire rating of the shingles and the underlayment into consideration. They protect your home from fire by working together, and to have the highest fire rating for your asphalt shingle roof, you may need a synthetic underlayment with a high fire rating.
Other considerations also come into play when choosing the right underlayment for your new roof. Felt underlayment is the most affordable, but synthetic underlayment often has a longer life and longer warranty too. The longer the underlayment lasts, the longer your roof stays protected from rot and leaks.
The slope of your roof matters too since rain rolls off a steep slope quickly. This makes felt a suitable choice. On a low slope, waterproof underlayment might be better.
For more information, contact local professionals like Vacinek Plumbing Heating & Roofing.
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