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.
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.
That “slip-n-slide” feeling is spot on—synthetics can get downright treacherous in cold weather. I’ve had crews refuse to walk certain brands after an early morning frost. It’s not just the steeper pitches either; even a 4/12 can be sketchy if the surface is too slick.
Recycled-fiber underlayment is pretty new in my area (upper Midwest), so I haven’t seen much real-world data yet. My main concern is similar to what was mentioned—moisture retention. If it wicks water or holds onto it under an ice dam, that could be a long-term problem. Anyone actually cut back a section after a winter and checked for mold or delamination? I’d be curious if the recycled content changes how it handles freeze/thaw cycles compared to traditional felt.
I’ve also noticed that install time with some of these “eco” products can creep up, especially if you’re dealing with odd seams or the rolls aren’t as consistent as synthetics. The labor cost adds up fast if you’re sending crews back to patch torn spots or deal with fastener pull-through. Has anyone tracked whether the recycled stuff actually saves money in the long run, or does it just shift the expense from materials to labor?
Doubling up with synthetic over felt seems like overkill unless you’re dealing with really brutal conditions. I tried it once on a north-facing roof with constant drifting snow, and honestly, it didn’t seem to make much difference except for adding weight and time.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned: how do these newer underlayments handle UV exposure if they get left uncovered for longer than planned? Synthetics usually claim 90 days or more, but I’ve seen some start to degrade after just a couple weeks of direct sun in July.
If anyone’s got photos of recycled-fiber underlayment after a full season—especially under ice dams—I’d love to see them. Hard data’s tough to come by when most of us only see our own jobsites.
