Interesting point about overtightening—I've seen similar issues myself, though I haven't personally experienced cracked washers. When I replaced my roof a few years back, the contractor was pretty meticulous about torque settings, and he explained that it's more about even pressure distribution than sheer tightness. At first, I was skeptical, thinking it might just be an upsell tactic to justify his higher quote. But after doing some digging online, turns out he was right. Overcompression can actually compromise the seal and lead to premature leaks, especially under severe weather conditions.
Now, speaking of wild weather durability, has anyone here experimented with synthetic roofing underlayments versus traditional felt? I've heard conflicting opinions—some swear by synthetic for its tear resistance and moisture barrier capabilities, while others argue that traditional felt still offers better breathability and long-term reliability. I'm leaning towards synthetic for my upcoming shed project because of its supposed ease of installation and durability during storms, but I'm still somewhat cautious. Is synthetic really worth the extra cost when considering performance in extreme weather scenarios?
Curious if anyone has firsthand experience or technical insights on this...
"I'm leaning towards synthetic for my upcoming shed project because of its supposed ease of installation and durability during storms, but I'm still somewhat cautious."
I get the appeal of synthetic underlayment, especially for ease of install, but honestly, I've had better luck sticking with traditional felt. Installed synthetic on my workshop roof two years ago, and while it held up fine initially, I noticed moisture buildup underneath after a particularly humid summer. Felt seems to breathe better, at least in my experience...something to consider if humidity's an issue in your area.
I've actually seen both synthetic and felt hold up pretty well, but your point about breathability is spot-on. Synthetic definitely has its perks—it's lightweight, easy to handle, and storm-resistant—but I've inspected a few roofs where moisture got trapped underneath, especially in humid climates. Felt tends to let things breathe a bit more naturally.
That said, if you do go synthetic, just make sure your shed has decent ventilation. I've noticed that proper venting can really cut down on moisture build-up issues, no matter what underlayment you're using. Either way, sounds like you're doing your homework, which is half the battle when it comes to roofing projects. Good luck with the shed...sounds like it'll be solid once you're done.
I went synthetic on my shed roof last year and can confirm ventilation makes a huge difference. At first, I didn't think much about airflow and ended up with condensation dripping inside after storms. After adding a ridge vent and some soffit vents, it cleared right up. Now it's been through some pretty heavy rain and wind without any moisture issues. Felt might've been simpler overall, but synthetic's held up great once I sorted the venting out...just my two cents from recent experience.
Good call with the ridge and soffit vents—honestly, ventilation is one of those things everyone underestimates until they're mopping up puddles inside their shed (been there, done that, got the soggy t-shirt). Synthetic underlayments definitely have their perks, but yeah, they can bite you if you skip the airflow step.
I helped a buddy reroof his garage last summer, and we went synthetic too. We made sure to leave enough gap for airflow right from the start—ridge vent up top, plus plenty of soffit vents down low. No condensation issues yet, knock on wood. But now you've got me wondering... did you add any extra insulation underneath, or just rely on good venting alone? Curious because I'm planning my own shed project soon and want to nail it first try without any drama.