I totally relate to that decision—felt vs synthetic was something I obsessed over when we bought our place last year. We’re in South Carolina, so the humidity and storms are no joke either. I did a ton of reading, and honestly, the idea of felt wrinkling or tearing in our climate made me nervous. We ended up with synthetic underlayment too, even though it cost a bit more upfront.
What helped me feel better: I watched the crew install it (probably annoyed them, but hey, first house jitters) and it really did seem sturdier and less fussy than felt. I haven’t noticed any weird smells or damp spots in the attic since then, which was my biggest fear after hearing horror stories about “hidden” leaks.
It’s easy to second-guess after a big storm passes and you’re still standing...but sometimes making those small upgrades really does pay off. It’s not just luck—sounds like you made a solid call for your area.
We landed in the same spot after a lot of research—synthetic underlayment, even though it meant stretching the budget a bit. Our place is in coastal Georgia, so the humidity and wind are relentless, especially during hurricane season. I remember reading about how felt can absorb moisture and start to break down or wrinkle, which just sounded like asking for trouble in this climate.
When we re-roofed, I actually crawled up in the attic after every big storm for the first year, just looking for any signs of leaks or musty smells. Never found anything concerning, which was a huge relief. The synthetic stuff does seem to hold up better—no weird odors, no soft spots in the decking. I get why some folks still go with felt (it’s cheaper, and it’s been used forever), but in these southern states, I honestly think the newer materials are worth it.
Luck plays a part, sure, but those little upgrades add up. I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than deal with repairs after the fact.
Luck plays a part, sure, but those little upgrades add up. I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than deal with repairs after the fact.
I hear you on that. I used to think underlayment was just one of those “invisible” things you could cheap out on, but after seeing what hurricane rain can do, I changed my tune. We had a neighbor who stuck with felt—said it was good enough for his dad’s house. Well, after last year’s nor’easter, he ended up with water stains all through his living room ceiling. Meanwhile, our synthetic held up fine... and trust me, I was up there with a flashlight and a healthy dose of paranoia.
I do wonder sometimes if it’s just luck or if these newer materials really are that much better. Maybe a bit of both? Either way, I’d rather be the person crawling around in the attic and finding nothing than the one calling insurance at 2am. Coastal weather doesn’t mess around—sometimes “old school” just means old problems.
Synthetic underlayment has really changed the game, especially in places with wild weather swings. I’ve inspected a lot of roofs after storms, and honestly, the difference between felt and synthetic is pretty clear—synthetic just holds up better to wind-driven rain and doesn’t wrinkle or tear as easily. That said, installation matters too. Even the best material can fail if it’s not put down right or if flashing gets skipped. Has anyone here had issues with newer products breaking down over time? I’m curious if there are any long-term drawbacks folks have noticed.
Had a job last summer where the homeowner was all about the “latest and greatest” synthetic underlayment. Looked slick going on, but a couple months later, we had to go back because some of it started curling up at the edges—turns out, the crew missed a few fasteners and didn’t overlap enough. Material’s tough, but if you cut corners, it’ll bite you. Haven’t seen any major breakdowns yet, but I do wonder how that plastic-y stuff will hold up after 10-15 years baking in the sun. Felt might be old school, but at least you know what to expect when it fails...
