I hear you on the price of self-adhered—my wallet still hasn’t forgiven me for that last project. But honestly, I’m not convinced it’s the only way to go. I went with a double layer of 30# felt last summer (Texas sun, low slope) because my budget was already crying. It’s not perfect, but it’s hanging in there so far. Maybe I just got lucky? Or maybe it’s all about who installs it and how careful they are. Either way, I’d rather risk a patch job down the line than eat ramen for six months straight...
I hear you—my bank account still flinches when someone mentions “self-adhered.” I did the same as you a few years back, doubled up on 30# felt because, let’s be honest, the price difference is wild. My place is in Oklahoma, so we get those sideways rains and hail, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. I do think a lot of it comes down to whoever’s swinging the hammer. I’ve seen “premium” underlayments botched by lazy installs. At the end of the day, I’d rather risk a little patchwork than take out a second mortgage for underlayment.
I keep hearing that install matters more than the material, but I’m still a little paranoid about skipping the “fancy” stuff. My house is in Texas, and we get those random hailstorms too. I went with synthetic underlayment because the roofer swore by it, but honestly, I can’t tell if it’s really worth the extra cash. Has anyone actually had felt fail on them, or is it just marketing hype?
Title: If underlayments had a race: which one would cross the finish line last?
I’ve seen felt underlayment fail, but it’s usually tied to poor installation or exposure, not the material itself. In Texas, with those hailstorms and wild temperature swings, synthetic does have some real advantages—mainly it holds up better if your shingles get blown off or if there’s a delay in getting the roof finished. I’ve inspected roofs after storms where felt was left exposed for just a few days and started wrinkling or tearing, which can lead to leaks. Synthetic tends to stay put and doesn’t absorb water the same way.
That said, if the install is sloppy, even the fanciest synthetic won’t save you. I’ve seen jobs where they used top-tier underlayment but skipped proper flashing or didn’t fasten things right, and the roof still leaked. Personally, I’d rather have a solid install with basic felt than a rushed job with premium materials. But in your climate, the extra cost for synthetic isn’t just hype—it’s more like insurance against those “what if” moments when the weather turns ugly.
Had a job last summer where we used felt because the homeowner wanted to save a bit. Weather turned, and a surprise storm hit before shingles went on. The felt wrinkled up and tore in spots—looked rough. If we’d used synthetic, I think it would’ve held up better. Still, if you don’t nail it right or overlap enough, even the best underlayment won’t save you from leaks. It’s wild how much the install matters.
