Trying to budget out a CertainTeed roof - any tips?

Yeah, the hidden stuff really does matter. I spent way too long researching underlayments and ice/water shield, but now I’m glad I did. It’s not flashy, but if you skip on that, you’ll pay for it later. I almost went with the cheapest felt - glad I didn’t.

I totally get what you mean about the “hidden” stuff. I didn’t realize how much the underlayment mattered until my neighbor’s roof started leaking after a big rain - turns out his contractor skimped on it. I’m still a little confused about whether synthetic underlayment’s really worth the extra cost though. Did you notice a big price jump when you upgraded from felt? And does it actually make a difference in, say, a humid climate? My place gets muggy in the summer and I’m worried about mold sneaking in where I can’t see it...

I went with synthetic underlayment last year after a buddy had a nightmare with mold under his old felt - he’s in the next town over, super humid summers too. The price difference wasn’t wild for me, maybe a few hundred bucks more on the whole job, but I figured it was worth it for peace of mind. I haven’t noticed any musty smells or weird spots since. Curious if anyone’s had issues with synthetic getting slippery during install? My roofer mentioned it but didn’t seem too bothered.

Synthetic’s definitely popular now, but I’ve seen a few jobs where it actually caused more headaches than felt, especially on steeper pitches. The stuff can get slick - way more than felt, in my experience - especially if there’s even a hint of morning dew or a light drizzle. I’ve had crews complain about footing, and we’ve had to slow down or switch up our approach mid-job. Not saying it’s a dealbreaker, but it’s something to factor in if you’re doing any work yourself or have a less experienced crew.

On the mold side, I get the worry, but I’ve also seen felt hold up fine if the attic’s vented right and the roof deck stays dry. Synthetic is great for longer exposure if you get delayed by weather, though. Just depends what you’re prioritizing - ease of install, long-term durability, or cost. For CertainTeed, both underlayments will meet warranty requirements as long as you stick to their specs. Curious if anyone’s had issues with synthetic tearing around fasteners? That’s another thing I’ve run into on windy days.

I’ve noticed the same thing with synthetic - on my garage project, it was like walking on ice in the morning. Not fun. I did get a bit of tearing around the nails too, especially when the wind picked up. For me, felt just feels sturdier underfoot, but I get why folks like synthetic for longer exposure. I guess it’s a tradeoff, but if you’re not in a rush and want fewer surprises, felt’s still got its place.