Good points all around. A couple things I'd add from my experience managing properties:
- Synthetic underlayment definitely holds up better if shingles blow off. Had a roof lose a good chunk of shingles during a nasty windstorm last year, and the synthetic underneath stayed intact for almost two weeks until we got repairs scheduled. Felt would've been shredded in days, no doubt.
- That said, synthetic isn't foolproof either. I've seen it installed poorly—wrinkles, gaps, sloppy overlaps—and it didn't perform much better than felt would have. Like you mentioned, installation quality is everything.
- Cost-wise, synthetic can be a noticeable jump in price. If you're already stretching your budget on premium shingles or other upgrades, it might feel like overkill. But if you're in an area with frequent storms or heavy rain, the extra durability can pay off down the road.
- One thing people sometimes overlook: synthetic underlayment is usually lighter and easier to handle during installation. Roofers tend to prefer working with it because it's less slippery and quicker to roll out. Might not matter directly to homeowners, but happier installers often means better workmanship overall.
Bottom line for me: if your climate is mild and your roof pitch isn't extreme, felt paper still does fine. But if you're dealing with harsh weather regularly or just want that extra layer of protection (and peace of mind), synthetic's probably worth considering as part of your roofing upgrade.
Either way, sounds like you're already thinking this through carefully—good luck with the project!
- Good summary overall, but I'd add a couple caveats from inspecting roofs over the years...
- Synthetic definitely holds up better overall, no argument there. But I've also seen it give homeowners a false sense of security. Like you said:
"Synthetic isn't foolproof either. I've seen it installed poorly—wrinkles, gaps, sloppy overlaps—and it didn't perform much better than felt would have."
Exactly. I've had to flag synthetic installs that looked like someone laid down a tarp after a few beers—no underlayment can save you from sloppy workmanship.
- And yeah, synthetic is lighter and easier on installers, but honestly, most experienced roofers handle felt just fine too. The real issue is if the crew is rushed or inexperienced. Good roofers will give you good results either way.
- Cost-wise...I'm skeptical it's always worth the premium. If you're in hurricane alley or heavy snow country, sure—synthetic probably pays off. But for average suburban homes in mild climates? Might be a bit overkill, IMO.
Bottom line: synthetic underlayment is good stuff, but don't expect miracles if your install crew cuts corners.
I've seen plenty of roofs over the years, and honestly, good points all around here. I had an inspection a couple months back that really drove home your point about synthetic not being a miracle cure. The homeowner had sprung for top-tier synthetic underlayment, thinking it would bulletproof their roof. But when I got up there...oh man. It looked like the installers were racing to finish before lunch break. Wrinkles everywhere, overlaps barely holding together, and some sections even buckling up. I ended up flagging it as a serious issue, and the homeowner was genuinely shocked—he thought paying more would automatically mean better protection.
On the flip side, I've seen plenty of felt installs that were rock-solid simply because the crew took their time and did it right. A few years back, I inspected this older ranch house that had felt underlayment from probably 15+ years ago. The homeowner was worried since it was "just felt," but when I checked it out, I was impressed. Proper overlaps, nice tight seams, no moisture intrusion at all—even after heavy rains. Goes to show it's usually more about the installer than the material.
As for cost-effectiveness, I'm kinda middle-of-the-road on that one. If you're in an area prone to extreme weather—heavy snow loads, hurricanes, or intense heat cycles—then yeah, synthetic probably earns its keep. But for your typical suburban neighborhood with mild weather? It's probably not going to make a noticeable difference in longevity or performance.
Bottom line, if you've got the extra cash and want peace of mind, go ahead and upgrade—but keep your expectations realistic. No roofing material can make up for rushed or sloppy workmanship.
Totally agree with you on the installer part—I've seen some pricey synthetic underlayments installed so badly they're practically useless. My mentor always says, "a good roofer can make cheap materials last, but a bad roofer can ruin the best stuff out there." And honestly, that's stuck with me.
One thing I'd add is ventilation. People get so caught up in underlayment and shingles that they forget proper attic ventilation is just as important. I've been on jobs where the homeowner splurged on premium shingles, but their attic venting was terrible—no ridge vents, clogged soffits, the works. A few hot summers later, their expensive shingles were curling up and aging way faster than expected. So yeah, if you're gonna spend extra money, make sure you're looking at the whole roof system—not just the flashy upgrades.
Good points about ventilation—honestly, I learned that one the hard way. A few years back, I upgraded to some pretty high-end shingles thinking they'd last forever. Didn't even cross my mind to check the attic vents. Fast forward a couple summers, and I was up there sweating buckets, realizing my attic was basically an oven. Had to redo the soffit vents and add a ridge vent after the fact, which wasn't exactly cheap or fun.
One thing I'm still unsure about though is insulation. I've heard mixed things—some say extra insulation helps keep the attic cooler and extends shingle life, others say it doesn't make much difference if your ventilation is already good. Curious if anyone's had experience with that? Seems like another piece of the puzzle that's easy to overlook...
