Had a similar midnight scramble with felt last year—wind just peeled it right back. Switched to synthetic for my main roof and haven’t looked back, though I do miss how easy felt is to cut. Midwest storms really don’t mess around.
Did you notice any issues with slipperiness on the synthetic stuff, especially during install? I’ve heard some brands can be a pain when wet. Also, how’s it holding up under ice—any weird wrinkling or leaks since you switched?
Did you notice any issues with slipperiness on the synthetic stuff, especially during install? I’ve heard some brands can be a pain when wet.
I actually found the synthetic underlayment I used (GAF Deck-Armor) was less slippery than felt, even when it rained halfway through my install. Not saying it was grippy, but I didn’t feel like I was skating around as much as with old tar paper. As for ice, no wrinkling yet, but I’m in a milder climate—maybe that’s why? Have you ever tried the peel-and-stick types? I keep hearing those are even better for ice but maybe overkill unless you’re up north.
Not saying it was grippy, but I didn’t feel like I was skating around as much as with old tar paper.
That’s pretty much my experience too. I used a synthetic (not GAF, but similar) when I redid my shed roof last fall. It rained on me halfway through, and yeah, it wasn’t exactly like walking on carpet, but way better than the felt I remember from helping my dad years ago. That stuff got slick if you even looked at it funny.
I haven’t tried the peel-and-stick underlayments yet. Honestly, I was tempted, but the price tag made me pause. My place is in central Virginia, so we get some ice but nothing like up north. I figured the regular synthetic would be fine unless we suddenly start getting Canadian winters. Maybe overkill for my area, but I can see the appeal if you’re somewhere that gets hammered with snow and freeze-thaw cycles.
Funny thing—my neighbor did go with peel-and-stick on his addition last year. He swears by it for ice dam protection, but he also said it was a pain to reposition if you mess up. Once it’s down, it’s not coming up without a fight. He had to cut and patch a spot where he misaligned a strip. Not sure I want that kind of stress.
No wrinkling here either, but our winters are pretty mild. I do wonder if the synthetics would hold up as well in places where you get weeks of snow sitting on the roof. Anyone in Minnesota or Maine probably has a different story.
If underlayments could talk, I bet the old tar paper would just groan about being replaced by all these fancy new materials... but honestly, I’m not missing it. Less slipping and no weird asphalt smell sticking to your clothes for days. That’s a win in my book.
If underlayments could talk, I bet the old tar paper would just groan about being replaced by all these fancy new materials... but honestly, I’m not missing it.
Couldn’t agree more—old felt was a slip-and-slide, especially if you got caught in the rain. Synthetics are a huge step up for walkability and they don’t wrinkle up every time the sun comes out. I hear you on the peel-and-stick too... great for ice dams, but yeah, once it’s down, it’s down. For Virginia, synthetic’s probably all you need unless we start getting Minnesota winters.