Glad to see someone else mentioning climate factors—often overlooked, but they're definitely important. I've inspected countless attics here in the Northeast, and even with textbook-perfect ventilation setups, moisture issues still pop up if the underlayment isn't breathable enough.
"Felt's good in theory, but I've seen firsthand how easily it can trap moisture"
Exactly. Felt has its place, especially considering cost-effectiveness, but synthetic breathable underlayments really shine in areas with drastic seasonal changes or humidity swings. I recently did an inspection on a home built in '82 that switched to synthetic during their last roof replacement—huge difference. The attic was bone dry, insulation was performing well, and no signs of mold growth. Felt roofs of similar age typically show at least some condensation staining by now.
Great call on making the switch; your uncle's admission cracked me up (I've encountered plenty of traditionalists myself). It can be hard convincing folks who've relied on felt for decades...but seeing is believing, right?
I've been weighing the switch myself, but budget's a bit tight right now. Wondering if anyone's noticed a big enough difference in heating/cooling costs after switching to synthetic to justify spending extra upfront? Curious if it pays off long-term...
Switched to synthetic about two years ago—here's what I've noticed:
- Heating/cooling bills dropped slightly, but honestly, not a huge difference month-to-month.
- Biggest perk was comfort—rooms felt more consistent temp-wise, fewer drafts.
- Long-term durability is legit; seen fewer moisture issues and less wear overall during inspections.
- If budget's tight, maybe hold off until you're already planning roof work or major renos. Easier to justify the upfront cost then.
- Bottom line: savings alone probably won't blow you away, but comfort and longevity might tip the scales.
Just my two cents from what I've seen out there...
"Biggest perk was comfort—rooms felt more consistent temp-wise, fewer drafts."
Totally agree with this. I've inspected plenty of homes that switched over to synthetic underlayment, and the difference in comfort is noticeable right away. Homeowners often mention fewer cold spots and drafts, especially in older houses.
You're spot-on about the savings too—it's usually modest at best. But from what I've seen, the real value is long-term durability. I've come across roofs with synthetic underlayment installed 5+ years ago, and they're consistently holding up better against moisture and general wear compared to traditional felt.
Good advice on timing it with other major work; makes the upfront cost easier to swallow. Sounds like you've made a solid choice overall... nice to see others noticing similar results out there.
I've gotta say, comfort was a big plus for us too. We switched from felt to synthetic underlayment about three years ago, and the temp difference upstairs was noticeable almost immediately—no more chilly corners or weird drafts. Can't really speak to huge savings on energy bills (maybe a little?), but honestly, just having a more consistent indoor temp made it worth it. Plus, after seeing how quickly felt deteriorated during our last roof replacement... synthetic feels like a no-brainer now.
