"Good materials matter, sure, but honestly, the person holding the nail gun matters even more..."
Fair point, but isn't it a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario? I've seen meticulous installations fail prematurely because the underlayment itself couldn't handle the local climate extremes. Even the best installer can't compensate for a product that's not suited to the environment. Maybe it's less about one factor outweighing the other and more about finding that sweet spot between quality materials and skilled workmanship... thoughts?
You're right, it's definitely a balancing act. I've seen guys carefully install cheap underlayment step-by-step, following every spec, and still have issues down the line. Good installation helps, but you can't shortcut quality materials—especially in harsh climates.
Totally agree that cheap materials can be a gamble, but I've found that even mid-range underlayment can hold up pretty well if you're methodical about it. Last year, I redid a section of my roof—budget was tight, so I didn't spring for the premium stuff. Instead, I went mid-grade, but spent extra time sealing seams properly, overlapping generously, and making sure ventilation was spot-on. It's held up surprisingly well through heavy rains and freezing winters so far.
One thing I'd add: don't underestimate the importance of ventilation. Even top-quality underlayment won't last if moisture gets trapped underneath. Make sure your attic or roof space has adequate airflow—ridge vents, soffit vents, whatever suits your setup. A few extra hours spent checking ventilation paths and sealing edges carefully can really stretch the lifespan of whatever product you choose.
Yeah, ventilation is definitely key. I learned that the hard way a few years back—went cheap on underlayment and rushed the install, figuring "it's just underlayment, right?" Big mistake. Moisture got trapped, and I ended up with mold issues in the attic. Since then, I've been way more careful about airflow and sealing seams properly. Mid-range stuff can totally work if you're thorough...but skimping on prep or ventilation? Not worth the headache later.
Totally agree on ventilation—seen way too many attics turn into mold farms because folks underestimated airflow. A few quick points from inspections I've done:
- Underlayment matters, but even premium stuff won't save you if ventilation is poor or seams aren't sealed right.
- Ridge vents paired with soffit vents usually do the trick, but make sure insulation isn't blocking airflow at the eaves.
- Seen some folks tape seams with cheap tape—big no-no. Invest in quality seam tape; it's worth the extra bucks.
- Mid-range underlayment can definitely hold up if installed carefully, but never rush prep work or skip sealing overlaps.
Had a homeowner last month who thought venting was optional because he had "high-end" materials. Spoiler: his attic looked like a science experiment gone wrong. Good materials help, but they won't fix shortcuts or sloppy install.
