Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with 15# felt—doesn’t seem fancy, but it gets the job done. On a couple of jobs, we used synthetic because the homeowner wanted “the latest,” but honestly, it tore up easier than I expected in high winds. I get the appeal of new tech, but sometimes the old-school stuff just holds up better, especially if you’re checking for damage after storms. Not saying synthetics are useless, but felt’s definitely proven itself for me too.
I’ve seen the same thing with synthetics—on paper, they’re supposed to be tougher, but after a couple of storms, I’ve found them flapping or even ripped off entirely. Maybe it’s just the brands I’ve tried, but 15# felt seems to take a beating and still hang on. I get why people want the “latest and greatest,” but when you’re dealing with hail or 60 mph gusts, I’d rather have something that’s proven itself. Anyone else notice synthetics getting brittle in cold snaps? That’s been a headache for me.
I’ve seen synthetics get stiff as a board when it drops below freezing—makes walking on the roof feel like skating on potato chips. I still see a lot of felt holding up better in Midwest winters, even if it’s not as “high-tech.” Maybe I’m just old school, but I trust what’s worked through a few hail seasons.
I’ve seen synthetics get stiff as a board when it drops below freezing—makes walking on the roof feel like skating on potato chips.
That’s been my experience too, especially with some of the thinner synthetics. I tried a recycled-fiber underlayment last winter—held up better than felt, surprisingly, and didn’t get brittle in the cold. Still, nothing’s perfect. The trade-off was it took longer to install and cost a bit more.
- Noticed the same thing with synthetics—some brands just freeze up and get slick, especially on steeper pitches. Makes me nervous every time I have to check a roof in January.
- Recycled-fiber underlayment is interesting. Haven’t seen much of it around here (Midwest), but I’m curious about how it handles moisture. Any issues with wicking or holding water under ice dams?
- Felt’s always been the “old reliable” but I’ve seen it crack and tear after a couple freeze-thaw cycles. Not ideal, but at least you know what you’re getting.
- Install time’s a big deal for me. If it takes longer, that’s more exposure to weather and more labor cost. Did you notice any issues with seams or fastener pull-through on the recycled stuff?
- Price is creeping up on all these products lately. I get why folks try new options, but sometimes the “premium” synthetics don’t last any longer than the basic ones. Had a job last year where the fancy underlayment started curling at the edges after one winter. Not impressed.
- For what it’s worth, I’ve seen some roofers double up—synthetic over felt—just to hedge their bets. Not sure it’s worth the extra material, but maybe in really rough climates it helps.
- Still looking for something that holds up to ice, wind, and sun without costing a fortune or turning into a slip-n-slide. If the recycled-fiber holds up, I might give it a shot on my next inspection list. Always open to new ideas, but I’m a little skeptical until I see it last a few seasons.
