finally found an underlayment that lasts - what's your experience?

Reminds me of when my brother-in-law bragged about getting the fanciest underlayment money could buy...then proceeded to staple it down like a kid pinning posters.

Haha, stapling premium underlayment...ouch. I've seen similar things happen - people dropping big bucks on high-end membranes but then skimping on proper sealing or flashing details. Honestly, even mid-range synthetic underlayments can perform amazingly if installed right. It's all about technique and patience. I always tell folks, "Your roof is only as good as your weakest seam." Seems your brother-in-law learned that the hard way!

Haha, sounds like something I'd accidentally do myself... I'm still learning the ropes with roofing stuff. Just curious, is there a big difference between staples and nails when installing underlayment, or is it more about how carefully you place them?

I've used both staples and nails, and honestly, placement matters more than you'd think. Staples can be quicker, but I've had a few tear-outs on windy days... Nails feel sturdier, especially if you're working solo. Learned that one the hard way on a breezy afternoon.

"Staples can be quicker, but I've had a few tear-outs on windy days..."

Haha, been there - nothing like chasing underlayment across the yard to make you rethink your choices, right? Ever tried cap nails? They're a bit slower going in, but man, they hold tight when the wind picks up. Placement definitely matters, but sometimes it's just about having the right hardware to save your sanity on those breezy afternoons...

Cap nails definitely hold better, no argument there. But honestly, I've had mixed luck with them too. Last summer, we were roofing a place right by the lake - wind was relentless. We used cap nails thinking they'd be bulletproof, but even then, a few sections started flapping loose overnight. Turns out placement matters way more than I thought. If you don't space them close enough or hit the overlaps just right, even caps won't save you from a windy nightmare.

Ended up switching to a heavier synthetic underlayment after that job, and it's been night and day. Costs a bit more upfront, but it lays flatter and doesn't tear nearly as easy. Staples or caps, doesn't matter as much now - it's just tougher stuff overall. Still skeptical about relying solely on hardware to fix the issue... sometimes it's just worth upgrading the material itself.