Tips for Selecting the Right Roofing Underlayment

What Does a Roof Underlayment Serve for?

There are two primary goals with an underlayment:

• Protect Your Roof from Water Damage and Mold Growth

A quality underlayment will keep moisture out of your roof and prevent leakage. Besides, it will protect it against fungi, insects, and wood rot that water exposition can cause.

• Provide a Solid Base for Asphalt Shingles or Metal Roofs

Underlayment sits between your home’s exterior walls and the shingles. It supports the weight of the roof covering and distributes it evenly throughout the structure. Thus, it provides higher protection against leaks and structural damage.

Types of Underlayment

You can find a variety of underlayments in the market. They are different in composition and installation, and these features determine their longevity. At Sugar Land Premier Roofing, we specialize in the following three varieties:

• Felt: Usually, manufacturers made roofing felt from several natural fibers, including cotton, jute, or other cellulose-based materials. Using it around the house is as easy as with paper towels. It is lightweight, durable, absorbent, and protects against UV rays.

Felt is the best underlayment available for preventing fires and conserving energy. It will not melt or degrade even at very high temperatures.

• Synthetic: This material is superior to felt in several aspects, including weight-resistant capacity. It is lightweight enough to allow an easy installation. Likewise, it is long-lasting enough to keep working. More so, it does not dry out and get hard.

Natural fibers like wool and cotton absorb water fast, leaving them vulnerable to fungal development. Instead, synthetics are water and insect-proof. The danger of damage from termites is also lower since moisture does not impact them. 

• Rubberized: Rubberized underlayment’s coating substance is a polymer combination. Compared to the alternatives, this felt is less heavy, more robust, and lasts longer. Moreover, rubberized underlayment is more resistant to bacterial development than materials like cotton or jute. Additionally, it is simpler to install. 

However, this option has some drawbacks. Unlike felt, it does not stretch easily. So you will need specialized tools to roll it out onto your roof deck. Besides, it is less effective against wind-driven rain because of its lack of rigidity. Also, you may notice a decline in your roof’s water-shedding capabilities compared to felt.

Verify Underlayment’s Fire Rating Before Purchasing

There are a variety of fire ratings available for underlayment. The NRCA suggests selecting a material with a three-hour maximum heat resistance between 300 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you live in the Northeast or Canada? Select a Class A fire-rated underlayment if so. It will keep your roof from catching fire if a spark escapes from your chimney. In addition, it helps keep the structure safe from the damaging effects of heat and the spread of fire.

Choose an underlayment with a Class B fire rating if you live in a warmer region and want to use hot asphalt shingles. They are designed to keep embers off the roof and offer protection from high-temperature flames.

If you have a tile roof, find out the exact type of tile you have to know what underlayment to purchase for those tiles.

More Suggestions to Choose Your Roof Underlayment

Additionally, consider the following things before purchasing and installing underlayment.

• Which roofing material do you plan to use?
• Will you work in a forest or along the coast?
• Will you install the underlayment on a tile or shingle roof?
• Consider the width of your tiles while deciding on size.
• Do we need to worry about moisture because of this project?

To whether your home roof requires underlayment, go to a roofing professional. They will provide you with a range of good choices.

What Should You Do Now That You Know How to Select Roofing Underlayment?

Do you need strong roofing underlayment for a new roof or roof replacement? Our guide to roofing underlayment will teach you how to select the right product. Besides, it will show you the many advantages it offers.

For more information, contact Sugar Land Premier Roofing at 832-639-1299. We service areas in Sugar Land, Katy, Deer Park, and Houston, TX.