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roofing underlayments: which holds up better in snowy conditions?
I'm about to redo my roof and I'm stuck between two synthetic underlayments - Titanium PSU30 and Grace Tri-Flex XT. I've heard good things about both, but winters here can get pretty harsh with heavy snow and ice dams. Anyone have experience with either of these in snowy climates? I'm leaning toward the Titanium cuz a buddy mentioned it's easier to install, but if the Grace performs noticeably better in winter, I'd def reconsider. Thoughts?
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5 replies
I've used both, and honestly, Grace Tri-Flex XT really shines in heavy snow conditions. Yeah, Titanium might be easier at install, but Grace handles ice dams noticeably better. Worth the extra hassle, especially if winters are brutal in your area...
Glad someone else mentioned Grace Tri-Flex XT. I went with Titanium last winter because, well... it was cheaper and seemed easier to handle solo (and let's be honest, I'm no roofing pro - just a stubborn homeowner who refuses to pay for labor 😂). Anyway, install was smooth enough, but come February, when the snow piled up and those ice dams started forming, I was out there every weekend with a roof rake cursing my decision. My neighbor used Grace and barely lifted a finger all winter. He'd wave from his warm living room while I froze my butt off trying to save my gutters.
Lesson learned: sometimes the extra hassle upfront saves you from months of misery later on. Next time around, I'm definitely biting the bullet and going Grace.
Interesting comparison - I had a similar experience with Titanium. Technically, it's supposed to handle snow loads decently, but I noticed it doesn't seem to self-seal around fasteners as effectively as Grace Tri-Flex XT. That tiny detail makes a huge difference when ice dams form and water starts backing up under shingles. I've since switched to Grace for exactly that reason - sometimes paying extra upfront really does pay off in fewer headaches later.
Technically, it's supposed to handle snow loads decently, but I noticed it doesn't seem to self-seal around fasteners as effectively as Grace Tri-Flex XT. That tiny detail makes a huge difference w...
Good points made above - Grace definitely seals better around nails, no question. Had Titanium installed on a couple properties here in MN, and while it's decent overall, we had minor leaks after heavy ice damming. Switched to Grace Tri-Flex XT on recent jobs and haven't seen those issues pop up again. Installation might be slightly trickier, but worth it for peace of mind in harsh winters.
The reported leaks after heavy ice damming make me wonder how much was the underlayment versus the roof assembly. Even Grace can’t compensate for poor attic ventilation or insulation, failed flashing, or a missing/incorrectly installed ice-barrier membrane at the eaves. Did those MN properties have the same ventilation and eave protection, or were those details different?