Mixing brands is a paperwork nightmare, totally get that. I’ve had to chase down missing docs for warranty claims before—never again. Sticking with one brand just keeps things cleaner. And yeah, synthetic underlayment is nice but
—I’ve seen a guy nearly slide off a steep pitch after a rain. Midwest weather’s no joke, so whatever keeps the crew safe and the insurance folks happy sounds like the way to go.“synthetic can get slick when wet”
- Had a job last fall where the homeowner mixed brands—tracking down the right warranty docs was a headache.
- I’ve seen synthetic underlayment get real slippery, especially after a quick rain. Midwest roofs + morning dew = sketchy footing.
- One crew I know switched back to felt for steep pitches just for safety. Not perfect, but fewer slips.
- Honestly, sticking with one brand does make life easier when it’s time for inspections or claims. Less back-and-forth with paperwork.
- If you’re budgeting, don’t forget to factor in ice/water shield for valleys and eaves—insurance folks love seeing that.
Mixing brands has bitten me before too—spent hours chasing down warranty info and still ended up with a bunch of fine print headaches. I’m with you on sticking to one system, especially for CertainTeed. Last project, I budgeted for their full setup (shingles, underlayment, starter, even the cap) and it made the inspection process smoother. On the underlayment front, I’ve noticed synthetic gets crazy slick after rain or frost—felt’s not perfect but at least it’s predictable. For ice/water shield, I always stretch the budget to cover valleys and eaves. Insurance adjuster barely glanced at the rest of the roof but zeroed in there.
I hear you on the synthetic underlayment—nearly wiped out on a frosty morning last fall. I’m still torn between felt and synthetic for my next go-around. Did you notice any big difference in install time or cost between the two?
I hear you on the synthetic underlayment—nearly wiped out on a frosty morning last fall.
Man, I’ve had that same “skating rink” experience with synthetic. It’s wild how slick it gets with just a little frost or dew. Felt’s not exactly grippy either, but at least it doesn’t feel like you’re about to star in your own slapstick routine.
On install time, I actually found synthetic to be a bit quicker—rolls are lighter and cover more area, so less up and down the ladder. But the price difference? That’s where it gets tricky. Synthetic’s definitely pricier up front, but it holds up better if your shingles get delayed (which happened to me after a hailstorm last spring). Felt can get soggy fast if you hit a rainy patch.
If you’re in an area with unpredictable weather, synthetic might save you some headaches. But if you’re watching every penny and can time things right, felt still does the job. Just… maybe invest in some non-slip boots either way.
