You nailed it with the UV resistance. I’ve seen way too many jobs where felt just couldn’t keep up—especially if the crew gets delayed and the roof sits open for a bit. Last summer, I inspected a place where the felt had been exposed for maybe ten days, and it was already brittle and tearing at the nail heads. The synthetic stuff next door? Still tight as a drum, no curling or weird spots.
I hear you on the recycling claims. Around here, demo debris goes straight to the landfill, no matter what the packaging says. It’s frustrating, but I guess if the synthetic lasts longer and keeps the roof dry, that’s a trade-off most folks are willing to make. Would be nice if someone figured out a way to actually recycle this stuff, though. Until then, I’d rather see a roof last 30 years with less maintenance than have to patch leaks every few seasons.
Weight difference is no joke either. My knees aren’t what they used to be, and dragging felt up a steep pitch is just asking for trouble. Synthetic’s lighter, grippier, and honestly, just makes the job safer.
Weight difference is no joke either. My knees aren’t what they used to be, and dragging felt up a steep pitch is just asking for trouble. Synthetic’s lighter, grippier, and honestly, just makes the job safer.
That’s exactly what tipped the scales for me a couple years back. We had a rehab on a 1920s duplex with one of those crazy steep roofs. The crew was cursing the old felt every day—slippery, heavy, and it started tearing at the edges after just a few days of sun. I ended up switching mid-project to synthetic, and the difference was night and day. Guys moved faster, nobody slid off (which was my biggest worry), and no one complained about carrying rolls up the ladder.
I do wish there was a better solution for recycling, though. We’re in a city that talks big about sustainability but still dumps everything from demo jobs. I get why folks stick with synthetic despite that—less patching, fewer emergency calls after storms. But I can’t help thinking we’re just kicking the can down the road on the landfill problem.
Anyway, if you’re managing multiple properties like I am, the fewer leaks and repairs you have to juggle, the better. Synthetic’s been a solid trade-off so far... even if it’s not perfect.
- Had a similar situation after that big hailstorm last spring—old felt just shredded, and we were patching nonstop.
- Swapped to synthetic on the next job (asphalt shingles, 7/12 pitch, Midwest weather). Crew was skeptical at first but ended up liking it way more—especially hauling it up ladders.
- Noticed fewer blow-offs during storms since then. Used to get calls every time the wind hit 40mph... now, not so much.
- Only gripe: synthetic gets slick with frost or dew. Had a guy nearly take a slide at sunrise—so it’s not perfect, but still better than felt in most cases.
- Recycling is a pain, yeah. Haven’t found a good answer there either. Feels like we’re trading one problem for another sometimes.
- For storm repairs, though, I’ll take the trade-off. Less emergency tarping and fewer callbacks make my life easier, even if I’m still hunting for something more eco-friendly down the line...
I get why everyone’s moving to synthetic, but I’m still not totally sold for every job. On a low-slope or porch roof, I’ve noticed the slickness is a real hazard—especially if you’re working before the sun’s up. One time last fall, we had to lay down extra planks just to keep from sliding off. Also, with certain brands, the staples don’t always grab as well as they do with felt, which can be a pain if you’re in a rush and weather’s rolling in. Maybe it’s just what I’m used to, but sometimes old-school felt feels more forgiving when you’re patching small sections or doing quick repairs. Synthetic definitely wins on weight and durability, though... just wish there was a version that wasn’t so slippery when wet.
That slickness is no joke—nearly went sledding off a porch roof myself last spring, and I was just trying to get a tarp down. The lighter weight on those big rolls is nice, but when you’re on a pitch that’s just shy of flat, it feels like skating on ice. Have you tried any of the “grip” synthetics yet? Heard mixed things. Also, curious if you’ve found a staple pattern that works better with synthetic... seems like sometimes they just pop right back out as soon as there’s a little wind.