Types of Roofing Underlayment

1. The Guide to Choosing the Right Roofing Underlayment Material Roofing underlayment is a membrane applied to the deck of the roof before the shingles are installed. Your roof needs an underlayment because of the following reasons:  from permeating on the roofing deck  It prevents chemical mixture of shingles from leaking onto the roofing deck, to save the roof from an expensive repair  It works as a secondary ambient barrier, optimizing the heat and sound insulation. It acts as a water barrier and prevents precipitation or external water vapor Types of Roofing Underlayment Constructing a roof demands significant investment and so it is important to choose the right types of roof, material and underlayment. Choosing the right products has a huge impact on the overall maintenance cost of the structure. It is always recommended to seek the advice of a reputable roofing company in Florida or the one in your city before you start with the installation work.

2. Let’s look at the three common types of roofing underlayment options your roofing company might recommend and the difference between them: Asphalt Saturated Felt A sheet material impregnated with asphalt, it is one of the most common types of roofing underlayment used for residential structures. Organic and inorganic are the two types of felt underlayment that are commonly used. The base material of organic felt is made of rag or cellulose fiber while the inorganic felt has fiberglass or polyester as the base material. The thickness of the felt paper varies, the most common one being 15lb and 30lb. The 15 lb paper has a perm rating of 5 but the number can rise with increasing humidity. The 30lb paper is more resistant to damage during the installation process and provides better protection to the roof. The asphalt saturated felt is usually fastened with staples but if you live in a hurricane-prone area, it is recommended to use plastic windstrips along the edges of the felt. It is advisable to attach plastic caps to felts as they provide better wind resistance as compared to staples. When Does Asphalt Saturated Felt Fail?  underlayment fragile and moisture absorbent  If the felt underlayment somehow gets exposed to direct sunlight, UV rays increase the deterioration process Volatile components in asphalt dissipate over time which make the Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment Rubberized asphalt underlayment is made of regular asphalt concrete and crumb rubber procured from recycled tires. It is a peel-and-stick product that adheres to the roof deck. It seals around fasteners such as nails and staples because of its rubber-like quality. A rubberized asphalt underlayment might have:  qualities  Polymer film bonded to weather surface  Fiberglass-reinforced  Mineral coating on the weather surface Polyethylene bonded to the upper surface to provide weather-resistant Rubberized asphalt underlayment is vapor impermeable which makes it highly

3. recommended for hurricane prone areas. In addition to this, rubberized asphalt fully adheres to the substrate and adjacent sheets on the side and end laps, which makes it highly resistant to air pressure. Non-bitumen Synthetic Underlayment Polypropylene or polyethylene are the two synthetic polymers used to make non-bitumen synthetic underlayment, which is lightweight and has a high strength. Some of the additional features include resistance to fungal growth, non-skid surface, moisture absorbance and high resistance to UV damage. The non-bitumen synthetic underlayment is generally fastened with roofing nails and plastic caps. It is recommended to avoid the use of staples because synthetics don’t have self-sealing capability. Although, non-bitumen synthetic underlayment costs more than the felt roofing underlayment, but it provides better protection against seepage. Felt and rubberized asphalt are sticky to work with and slippery to walk on during the installation process, but non-bitumen synthetic underlayment is easier to install. Conclusion A roofing underlayment has significant role in increasing the ability of the roofing materials to withstand external elements and protect the structure. While choosing roofing underlayment take into consideration some essential elements such as weight and ease of installation, durability, safety, waterproofing and long term maintenance cost to get value for your money. Related Links: Silicone Roofing: A Solution for Generations For more information regarding roofing services, visit: SRG Roofing