"Got me thinking if synthetic is genuinely superior or just more convenient for the crews..."
Yeah, I've wondered the same thing. My neighbor's synthetic underlayment is pushing 12 years now and still looks solid, but who knows how it'll hold up long-term... guess we'll find out eventually, haha.
"My neighbor's synthetic underlayment is pushing 12 years now and still looks solid, but who knows how it'll hold up long-term..."
Yeah, that's interesting. My brother-in-law put synthetic underlayment on his roof about 8 years ago, and at first, I was pretty skeptical. Seemed like just another trendy product contractors push because it's easier to handle or quicker to install. But honestly, every time I've been up there helping him clean gutters or whatever, it still looks surprisingly good—no tears or noticeable deterioration yet.
Still, part of me wonders if we're all just caught up in the convenience factor. I mean, traditional felt has been around forever and has a proven track record. Synthetic might look great now, but will it really outperform felt over 20 or 30 years? Guess we'll only know for sure when more roofs hit that age range...
Has anyone here actually had synthetic fail prematurely or noticed any unexpected issues down the line? Curious if there are hidden downsides we haven't thought about yet.
"Still, part of me wonders if we're all just caught up in the convenience factor. I mean, traditional felt has been around forever and has a proven track record."
You bring up a good point about the convenience factor. I've installed both felt and synthetic underlayments over the years, and honestly, each has its strengths. Felt is definitely tried-and-true, and it's hard to argue with decades of proven performance. But synthetic underlayment has come a long way since it first hit the market.
In my experience, synthetic tends to hold up better during installation, especially if there's any delay between laying the underlayment and getting shingles on. Felt can wrinkle or tear pretty easily if it gets wet or windy before you finish roofing. Synthetic usually stays flat and intact, which makes the job smoother overall. Plus, it's lighter and easier to handle, which can be a real back-saver on bigger jobs.
That said, I totally get your skepticism about longevity. I've seen synthetics that are 10+ years old still looking great, but you're right—20 or 30 years is a different story. I haven't personally encountered any premature failures yet, but I have heard from colleagues about some cheaper brands that didn't hold up as well as expected. Usually, that's due to UV exposure if the shingles weren't installed promptly or if the product wasn't rated for extended exposure.
If you're considering synthetic, I'd recommend checking the manufacturer's specs carefully. Look for products rated for longer UV exposure times and backed by solid warranties. Also, proper installation is key—make sure seams are taped correctly and fasteners are spaced according to guidelines. Most issues I've seen crop up when corners are cut during installation rather than from the product itself.
Overall, though, your neighbor's 12-year-old synthetic underlayment still looking solid is encouraging. It's always reassuring to see real-world examples holding up well over time.
We went with synthetic about 8 years ago, mostly because the roofer recommended it and the price difference wasn't huge. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—felt has that long history you mentioned—but it's held up surprisingly well. We had a storm delay mid-installation, and the synthetic stayed flat and intact through heavy rain and wind. Felt probably would've been a mess. Still, I agree it's smart to check specs carefully...cheaper isn't always better.
We switched to synthetic about five years ago when we redid our roof. Like you, I was hesitant at first—felt just seemed tried-and-true. But after seeing how easily the synthetic rolled out and stayed put, I was pretty impressed. We had a similar experience with unexpected weather: a sudden downpour hit before the shingles went on, and the synthetic underlayment didn't budge or wrinkle at all. Felt would've probably torn or bubbled up in spots.
I still think felt has its place, especially if you're on a tight budget or doing a smaller project like a shed or something. But for our main roof, I'm glad we went synthetic. It's reassuring knowing it's holding up well underneath everything else...especially when storms roll through.
