I switched to synthetic underlayment a few years back after dealing with some nasty leaks under felt—Florida humidity just ate it up over time. The synthetics seem to hold up better, especially if you get a stretch of rain before the tiles go on. Only downside I’ve noticed is they can be a bit slick to walk on, but for longevity, I’d pick synthetic again. Contractors around here still push felt sometimes, but I think it’s just what they’re used to.
Only downside I’ve noticed is they can be a bit slick to walk on, but for longevity, I’d pick synthetic again.
Yeah, that slickness is no joke—almost wiped out once when I was rushing to tarp after a storm. Still, I’m with you, the trade-off’s worth it. Down here after a hurricane, you see which underlayments hold up and which just turn to mush. Synthetics seem to survive the standing water way better.
Curious what tile brands folks are actually using with these synthetics? I’ve seen Boral and Eagle a lot after storms, but I’m not sure if one’s really tougher than the other. Some of the older Monier stuff seemed to crack less, but maybe that’s just nostalgia talking. Anyone notice a difference in how the tiles themselves hold up, especially with all this wild weather lately?
Some of the older Monier stuff seemed to crack less, but maybe that’s just nostalgia talking.
I’ve actually had the opposite experience with Monier—mine chipped around the edges after a couple years, especially where foot traffic was unavoidable. Eagle’s held up better for me, at least through two hailstorms. Might just be batch differences or install method, though. Synthetic underlayment definitely beats felt for water resistance, but I’m still wary about long-term UV exposure if tiles blow off.
