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A roofing system is much more than the roofing materials you see on top of your home. A roof is made with the help of various parts, and each component has a separate purpose. Many homeowners do not realize that underlayment is one of the most important components of your roof. It is a barrier against various types of moisture, which can lead to leaks and other problems throughout your home.
There are many different varieties of roofing underlayment available on the market today, and each has different advantages and disadvantages. This article will look at the top types of roof underlayment. Before getting into the topic, let us start with some basics.
Why Is Roof Underlayment Important?
When you have roofing underlayment, it protects your roof from many different things. This includes water damage, which can cause serious problems throughout your home. It also protects against mold and mildew growth, and it allows your roof to last longer and keep its value for many years.
Top Materials For Roofing Underlayment
The experts generally classify roof underlayments into three broad categories, which we discuss below:
Asphalt Saturated Felt Roofing Underlayment
Asphalt-saturated felt underlayment is a material that has been around for several years. For decades, this underlayment has been used to protect homes in Pennsylvania. The roof underlayment is also known as felt or felt paper, and it works well with asphalt shingle roofs. Due to added durability offered by synthetic and rubberized underlayment, the use of felt paper is slowly decreasing. These underlayments are available in 2 weights, 15 and 30 pounds per 100 feet.
Synthetic Roofing Underlayment
Synthetic materials are relatively new, and they continue to become more popular. These underlayments are manufactured with a chemical known as Polypropylene. Synthetic roof underlayments are often used in roofing applications because they are more durable, easier to install, and repel water better than their felt counterparts. They’re more expensive than traditional roofing materials, but have some substantial benefits that make them worth the extra cost. Synthetic underlayments are slowly replacing the asphalt saturated felt underlayments.
Rubberized Roofing Underlayment
Rubberized asphalt roofing underlayment is a new roofing product that has grown in popularity. This sheet is made from a combination of asphalt and rubber polymers.
It is also known as self-adhered underlayment, and unlike the other two underlayments described above, these sheets use an adhesive that helps to stick the underlayment to the roof deck and does not need to be nailed or stapled down. These are perfect for extreme temperatures and high quality, and they are typically the most expensive types of roof underlayments available.
Best Roof Underlayments Available In The Market 2022
Roofing underlayment is a critical part of the roofing process. There are a lot of brands that manufacture roof underlayments. This helps provide you with more variety, but it can be challenging to find the right product. Before we go through the six best roof underlayment options.
#1GAF FeltBuster® Synthetic Roofing Felt
The FeltBuster® roof underlayment from the roofing powerhouse, GAF, is a type of synthetic roof underlayment that is currently one of the most popular in the market. The product offers an effective upgrade over the traditional felt underlayment. The traditional underlayment is often susceptible to tears and damage and cannot protect your home well.
On the other hand, the FeltBuster is created with the help of synthetic construction. This allows the underlayment to offer great moisture and tear resistance. These also lie flattered on the roof and avoid wrinkles appearing while the contractor installs them.
What’s Good?
- High-quality composition with the help of synthetic material, Polypropylene helps increase durability
- The sheet has a nailing pattern, helping in easy installation
- The material is Class A fire rated
- Comes with GAFs option of adding a limited lifetime warranty
What’s Not?
- It can be a bit costly compared with other underlayments
#2 Owens Corning ProArmor® Synthetic Roof Underlayment
Owens Corning is not only a leader in manufacturing beautiful and durable asphalt shingles, but it is ahead in making quality roofing underlayments as well. The ProArmor® Synthetic Roof Underlayment is an example of that.
This synthetic roof underlayment is made from Polypropylene and helps protect your roof and home from water infiltration as well as from moisture. The product is available in lightweight rolls of 42 inches that enable the roofers to handle and install the underlayment easily. You also get up to 90 days of UV exposure to protect your property from the harmful effects of UV rays.
What’s Good?
- Easy to install roof underlayment with company’s own Fusion Back Coating Technology™
- Wide application, suitable for both asphalt and metal roofs
- Tear-resistant nature
- Class A Fire Resistant
What’s Not?
- Warranty options are less
#3 Grace Ice and Water Shield
For over 30 years, GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® has protected the roofs of 2 million homes, and it has been installed on marquee projects in 25 countries. This high-performing solution provides superior performance at an excellent value.
This self-adhered roofing underlayment is composed of two waterproofing materials. The first is an aggressive rubberized asphalt adhesive, and the second is a layer of slip-resistant coated high-density cross laminated polyethylene film.
This roof underlayment has an embossed surface and has specified measurement markings that make installing it on the roof easier. Another variant, known as the GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD HT, is also available. This underlayment is made to combat areas that usually have a high temperature. This underlayment has 120-day UV exposure and is fit for higher temperatures.
Pros
- One of the best self-adhered roof underlayments
- RIPCORD split release on-demand technology
- Slip-resistant membrane made for the toughest of roofs
Cons
- Not suitable if you are on a tighter budget
- DIY should be avoided
#4 Tyvec 120
The Tyvec product line comes from the powerful American chemical company DuPont. The Tyvek® Protec™ 120is one of the most versatile roofing underlayments available on the market. Whether you have an asphalt shingle roof, a cedar shake roof, or a metal roofing system, this underlayment will be suitable for you. You can use the Tyvek Protec 120 for re-roofing and during new roof installation.
This product is a good choice for roofs with a slope of 2:12 or greater. It has an embossed, slip-resistant composition that holds it in place. Also, a woven polypropylene fabric gives it strength and a water barrier layer.
Pros
- The slip-resistant coating helps in better installation
- Compatible with major roof types
- Easier to chalk synthetic underlayment
- Class A fire rated and high tensile strength
Cons
- You might get exposed to the chemicals
#5 ArmorLay Synthetic Roof Underlayment
ArmorLay’s 25 synthetic roof underlayment is slowly getting more popular. The company claims that its product is five times stronger, lighter, and offers 5x more coverage with one roll than traditional roofing felt underlayments.
It comes in 10 square rolls and can cover 1,000 square feet of surface area. It can withstand 60 days of UV exposure, so it is safe for outdoor use. This roofing underlayment does not buckle, warp, or crack because of its slip-resistant polymer on the bottom surface.
Pros
- The underlayment does not buckle or crack
- Meets high standard ratings
- Adequately priced
Cons
- Other roofing underlayments offer better UV exposure
- It will not suit roofs that have a bigger area
#6 IKO Stormtite
If you’re looking for a synthetic roof underlayment that provides unparalleled protection against the elements and lasts for years, look no further than IKO Stormtite. This product is one of the most popular underlayments of the company and also features as a part of IKO’s PROFORMAX category.
This innovative product is made with high-quality non-breathable material. It is also highly resistant to tearing or puncturing, which means it will stay in place during heavy winds or storms. This product is strong enough to withstand even the most severe weather conditions. A single roll of this underlayment is enough to cover a 1000 sq feet home.
Pros
- Lightweight, a 1000sq feet roll only weighs 26lbs
- It is made from non-breathable synthetic material for added durability
- It is very capable in colder regions
Cons
- A string of newer options offers more
- Low UV resistance
Install The Best Roof Underlayment In Pennsylvania
We hope this article has helped you understand the various types of underlayment available in the market. All the roof underlayments we have described are currently the best in the market. However, you should note that the performance of the underlayment you choose also depends on the installation and shingles.
If you want to know about the best shingles that are trending in the market today to go with your roofing underlayment, read our updated blog, “Best Roof Shingles Of 2023.”
This is why you need to hire a roofing contractor with high experience installing roof underlayments. If you are searching for one, look no further than McClellands Contracting and Roofing LLC.
Our team has years of experience in the roofing industry, and we have helped thousands of homeowners to repair and replace their roofs. Contact us at (412)-206-6240 to learn more about our residential roofing services.
