I get the hesitation about rubber, especially with how hot it gets down here. But honestly, I’m not convinced standard felt is much better long-term. Mine started wrinkling after a couple years, and I’ve read that once water gets under the shingles, felt doesn’t really hold up. The synthetic stuff might be pricier up front, but if it means fewer repairs or replacements later, maybe it balances out? Hard to know until you’ve lived with it for a while...
The synthetic stuff might be pricier up front, but if it means fewer repairs or replacements later, maybe it balances out?
That’s kind of where I landed too. I went with synthetic underlayment last time, mostly because the old felt just didn’t survive our storms and heat. It’s held up better so far, but I do wonder if it’ll last as long as they claim. Anyone else notice the synthetic stuff gets a bit slippery when wet, though? That caught me off guard during a gutter clean...
That slippery thing is real—I found out the hard way when I tried to check a vent after a rain. Nearly lost my footing, and I was just in sneakers. I wonder if anyone’s found a way around that, short of waiting for a totally dry day. As for the lifespan, I’m hoping the synthetic lasts, but I’ve only had mine up for two years, so it’s too early to tell. The storms here aren’t gentle either, so fingers crossed...
Yeah, that slick roof after a rain is no joke. I’ve seen more than a few folks try to get up there in regular shoes and end up regretting it—honestly, even with boots, I won’t risk it unless things are bone dry. Some guys use those roof brackets and planks for extra grip, but for most homeowners, waiting it out is just safer.
About the synthetic shingles—two years in heavy storms and they’re still holding up? That’s a good sign. I’ve put up a few of those newer impact-rated synthetics for customers, and so far, they seem to handle hail better than traditional asphalt. Still, like you said, it’s early days. The real test is always that first big hailstorm. Around here, we get those golf-ball sized ones every couple years, and I’ve seen both asphalt and synthetics take a beating.
Fingers crossed yours keep doing their job. I tell folks: check the warranty details, because some brands actually cover hail damage now, which wasn’t always the case. And yeah... storm season always keeps things interesting, doesn’t it?
Had a client last spring with those “impact-resistant” synthetics—looked great on paper, but after a storm with 2-inch hail, we still saw some bruising and a couple punctures. Not as bad as the old asphalt three-tabs, sure, but I wouldn’t call any shingle truly hail-proof. Warranties sound nice, but read the fine print—sometimes they only cover cosmetic damage, not leaks. Honestly, no material’s bulletproof in the Midwest when hail gets serious... Just my two cents.