Curious if anyone’s tried those newer synthetic underlayments? I’ve only ever used felt, but I keep hearing they’re lighter and last longer. Not sure if it’s worth the extra cost or just marketing hype.
I’ve put down both, and honestly, synthetics are a mixed bag. They’re lighter and don’t tear as easy when you’re crawling around, which is nice. But some of the cheaper brands get slick as ice if there’s dew or a little rain—almost wiped out once. If you go that route, spend for the good stuff. Still not convinced they’ll outlast felt by decades like the packaging claims, but they do make install days easier on the knees.
Yeah, I hear you on the slip-n-slide factor with some of those synthetics. I’ve had a few “graceful” moments sliding down a roof when the morning dew hit—felt like I was auditioning for a penguin documentary. The lighter weight is great, especially on steep pitches, but I still keep a roll of felt handy for smaller jobs or patchwork. Not sure I buy the “outlasts felt by decades” claim either... Mother Nature has her own plans, especially after a good hailstorm.
I get what you mean about the “outlasts felt by decades” thing. I’ve seen those synthetic underlayments get shredded after one bad hailstorm, and I’m not convinced they’re the miracle they’re hyped up to be. I do like how much lighter they are, though—hauling rolls of felt up a ladder isn’t my idea of a good time. But man, that slip factor is no joke. I nearly ended up in my neighbor’s yard last spring when I hit a patch of dew. Felt like I was in a slapstick comedy.
For patchwork or quick fixes, I still reach for the old-school felt. It’s cheap, does the job, and I don’t worry as much about sliding off the roof. Plus, if you’re just patching a spot, it’s not like you need it to last 30 years. Mother Nature’s gonna do what she wants anyway... especially around here where hail is basically a season of its own.
I guess it comes down to what you’re comfortable with. I’m not tossing out my felt rolls anytime soon, but I’ll admit the synthetics have their place—just not when I’m working before my morning coffee.
The slip factor with synthetics is real, but I’d argue the hail issue isn’t always cut and dry. Around here, I’ve seen felt turn to mush after a couple wet-dry cycles, while some of the higher-end synthetics held up better than expected. Not saying they’re perfect, but if you’re thinking green—less landfill waste and better longevity can tip the scale. Still, nothing’s foolproof in hail country… just sometimes feels like we’re choosing between bad and less bad, you know?
Still, nothing’s foolproof in hail country… just sometimes feels like we’re choosing between bad and less bad, you know?
- Totally get what you mean about picking the lesser evil. I’ve had both felt and synthetic underlayment on different projects—felt definitely didn’t last long after a couple storms here (Midwest).
- The “slip factor” with synthetics made me nervous at first, but once the shingles were down, it seemed fine. Maybe depends on the brand?
- I do like the idea of less landfill waste, but I wonder if that really pans out long-term. Anyone actually tracked how long their synthetic lasted before needing a full tear-off?
- Hail is just brutal no matter what. My neighbor’s roof looked like Swiss cheese after last spring’s storm—didn’t seem to matter what was underneath.
- Curious if anyone’s tried those new “impact-resistant” shingles? Do they actually help, or is it just marketing?
Just trying to figure out if there’s a real winner for hail-prone spots or if it’s all just damage control...
