I hear you on the synthetic—it’s grippy in the cold, but midday in July? It’s like walking on a frying pan. I’ve tried both, and I keep coming back to self-adhered underlayments, especially for tricky valleys and eaves. They’re pricier, but I’ve had fewer callbacks for leaks since switching. Have you looked into any of the newer recycled-fiber options? Curious if anyone’s seen how those hold up in high winds.
They’re pricier, but I’ve had fewer callbacks for leaks since switching. Have you looked into any of the newer recycled-fiber options?
- Tried recycled-fiber underlayment last year. Didn’t notice much difference in install, but it felt stiffer than the usual synthetic.
- After a couple windy storms (nothing like a hurricane, though), no lifting or leaks so far.
- Still trust self-adhered for valleys—agree with you there. Pricey, but worth it if you hate patching leaks later.
- Gets crazy hot up there in summer, but honestly, not as bad as some synthetics I’ve used. Less slippery too.
- Wouldn’t call it a miracle fix, but seems solid for now. Time’ll tell if it holds up long-term.
That lines up with what I’ve seen—recycled-fiber underlayment isn’t some magic bullet, but it does seem to handle heat and foot traffic better than a lot of synthetics. I’m with you on self-adhered in the valleys, especially if you’ve ever had to chase leaks down after a storm... not fun. Curious if you noticed any difference in how it handled condensation or moisture compared to the old stuff? I’ve found it breathes a bit better, but maybe that’s just my climate (humid summers, lots of freeze-thaw). Either way, sounds like your roof’s holding up well so far.
Funny thing, I’ve actually had the opposite experience with recycled-fiber underlayment and condensation—at least in our area (lots of cold snaps, not much humidity). It seemed to hold onto moisture a bit more than the synthetics, especially after a heavy frost. Maybe it’s just the way my attic’s vented, but I ended up with some damp spots that never happened before. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something I keep an eye on.
It seemed to hold onto moisture a bit more than the synthetics, especially after a heavy frost.
Interesting—did you check your attic vents for blockages or ice dams? Sometimes it’s not just the underlayment, but airflow issues making things worse. What kind of roof pitch are you working with? Low slopes can really trap that moisture.
