Had a similar situation last year—tried one of those “eco” rolls because the sales guy swore it’d hold up through anything. Two weeks of spring rain and wind later, it looked like someone tried to origami my roof. I’ll give the newer synthetics credit for being lighter and easier to work with than felt, but if you’re not getting shingles on quick, nothing’s bulletproof. Honestly, I’m still waiting for something that doesn’t either shred or curl if you blink at it wrong. Maybe next year…
Heard that story more than once—those “eco” rolls sound good on paper, but I’ve seen ‘em turn into confetti after a windy week. Synthetics are a step up from old-school felt for sure, but yeah, if you get hit with a storm before shingles go on, nothing’s really safe. I’ve had better luck with the heavier synthetics, but they’re pricier and still not perfect. Honestly, I just cross my fingers for a clear forecast and move fast. Maybe one day they’ll invent something that actually lives up to the hype...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen some of the newer synthetics hold up surprisingly well, even after a couple weeks of rain and wind. The trick seems to be getting the right fasteners and making sure the laps are tight—if there’s any slack, yeah, it’ll shred. I do think weight matters, but sometimes it’s more about install than material. Not saying they’re perfect, but I wouldn’t write off all synthetics just yet...
- Got my first roof last year (as in, first one I had to actually care about), and went with synthetic underlayment because the contractor swore by it.
- Midwest weather here—lots of wind and random sideways rain. Honestly, I was expecting to see it peeling off like a bad sticker after the first storm.
- Surprised me: held on tight. Not even a flap or a ripple. I’m talking those 30mph gusts that make your trash cans migrate to the neighbor’s yard.
- Contractor did mention something about “double taping the seams”... not sure if that’s standard, but maybe that’s why mine didn’t act up?
- My neighbor went with the old-school black felt on his garage—looked like it was auditioning for a horror movie after the first downpour. Edges curling, staples popping, you name it.
- Only thing I noticed: walking on the synthetic stuff during install was like trying to cross a skating rink in socks. Super slick. Had to warn the pizza guy when he dropped off lunch for the crew.
- Still undecided if it’ll outlast the classic stuff in the long run, but so far, no leaks or weird smells (which I guess is a win?).
- If underlayments could talk, mine would probably just be grumbling about how many squirrels run across it at night...
- Only regret: didn’t get to pick the color. Would’ve loved something wild under those shingles, just for fun. Maybe next time...
Double taping the seams isn’t always standard, but it’s definitely something a lot of crews do now with synthetic underlayment, especially in places where wind is a problem. I’ve seen felt get shredded in a single storm if it wasn’t nailed down just right. The slickness is no joke though—almost wiped out myself once carrying bundles. Curious, did your contractor use cap nails or staples on the synthetic? I’ve heard that can make a difference for holding power, but not everyone does it the same way.