People always focus on the shingles, but underlayment is like the unsung hero.
- Seen way too many "premium" roofs with bargain underlayment—usually ends with water stains and callbacks.
- Eco-friendly stuff's interesting, but how does it hold up after a decade or two?
- Anyone compare the install time or warranty differences on these newer underlayments? Sometimes the details get glossed over...
I’ve wondered the same about those eco-friendly underlayments. They sound good on paper, but I haven’t seen any real-world feedback past a few years. My neighbor went with a “green” option and had to patch a leak after just five years—could’ve been install error, though. For CertainTeed, is their synthetic underlayment actually worth the extra cost, or is it just marketing? I’m in the Midwest, so freeze/thaw cycles are brutal... not sure if that makes a difference.
- Totally get the skepticism—“green” underlayments are still kinda new, so long-term stories are rare.
- Midwest freeze/thaw is brutal. Synthetics like CertainTeed’s do hold up better than old-school felt in my experience—less curling, less moisture absorption.
- Pricey, yeah, but I’ve seen fewer issues with water getting through, especially after a rough winter.
- Install matters a ton. Even the best underlayment will fail if it’s not put down right—seen it happen on both eco and regular stuff.
- Personally, I’d pay extra for synthetic, but only if you trust your installer. Otherwise, you’re just paying for a fancy label.
If you’re budgeting for CertainTeed, I’d say don’t just look at the shingle price—factor in the underlayment, ice & water shield, and labor. Synthetics are solid, but I’ve seen jobs where installers rushed and left seams exposed... didn’t matter how “green” or high-tech the material was. Midwest winters will find any weak spot. If you trust your crew and they take their time, synthetic’s worth it. If not, you might as well light your money on fire. Just my two cents from patching up more than a few “premium” roofs that went sideways.
That’s a solid point about the install being just as important as the materials. I’m in the same boat, trying to budget for a new CertainTeed roof, and it’s wild how fast the “extras” add up. I’ve heard too many stories about fancy underlayments not doing much if the crew cuts corners. I’m leaning toward synthetic, but only because I found a local crew with good reviews for attention to detail. Midwest winters are no joke... I’d rather pay a bit more up front than deal with leaks later. Your advice lines up with what I’ve been hearing—thanks for sharing it.
