I've had pretty good luck with synthetic underlayments too, but honestly, I wouldn't totally discount hardware choices either. Couple years back, we reroofed my brother's cottage—also near a lake, similar wind issues—and went with a premium synthetic material thinking we'd solved all our problems. It definitely held up better overall, but we still had a couple spots that lifted slightly after a big storm rolled through.
Turned out the crew had gotten a bit lazy near the end and spaced the fasteners way too far apart, figuring the tougher underlayment would compensate. Lesson learned: even top-notch materials won't make up for sloppy installation. Since then, I make sure to double-check fastening patterns myself. The combo of quality underlayment and proper spacing seems to be key... neither one alone is foolproof.
Totally agree—fastener spacing is often overlooked. Have you noticed if the type of fasteners makes a difference too? I've seen galvanized nails do okay, but stainless steel screws seem to hold up better, especially near water. Also, curious if anyone's tried peel-and-stick underlayments? I've inspected a few roofs with them, and they seem pretty solid, but I'm wondering how they hold up long-term in windy conditions...
I've used peel-and-stick underlayments on a couple properties near the coast, and honestly, they've held up pretty well so far. One roof is going on 6 years now, and even through some nasty storms, no issues yet. But I do think installation matters a lot—surface prep and temperature during application seem to make a huge difference in how well they bond.
About fasteners, I've noticed stainless screws definitely outperform galvanized nails near saltwater. Had one property where galvanized nails started rusting out after just a few years, but the stainless screws on another building nearby still look brand new. It's pricier upfront, but saves headaches down the road.
One thing I'm still not sure about though is how peel-and-stick holds up under tile roofs specifically. Anyone here have experience with that combo? Seems like tile weight might help keep things secure, but I'm wondering if there's any downside long-term...
I've seen peel-and-stick under tile roofs a few times, and honestly, results were mixed. Had one client whose roof looked great at first but developed moisture pockets after about 8 or 9 years. Tiles shifted slightly in a storm, water got trapped underneath, and the adhesive started losing grip. Not saying it'll always happen, but tile weight alone isn't a guarantee. I'd still trust a mechanically fastened membrane under tile, especially near the coast...just my two cents.
- Had peel-and-stick under my tile roof for 12 yrs now...zero issues so far.
- Maybe your client's installer skimped on prep or something?
- Coastal storms here too, but tiles haven't budged yet—knock on wood, lol.
