Peel-and-stick definitely tests your patience, especially in the summer. I tried it on a dormer repair last July—by the time I got it lined up, half of it was stuck to my gloves and the other half was wrinkled. Not my finest hour. Synthetics are a lot lighter and easier to roll out, but I’ve had them bunch up on a 10/12 pitch when the wind picked up. Had to tack it down every couple feet just to keep it from sliding off before the shingles went on.
Felt’s cheap and familiar, but I’ve seen it tear if you’re not careful walking on it, especially after a rain. Still, for basic jobs or if you’re on a budget, it gets the job done. Hybrids look solid, but yeah, that price tag is rough—hard to justify unless you’re doing a high-end install or need extra protection.
If I had to pick which one would “finish last,” I’d probably say felt, just because it doesn’t hold up as long in bad weather. But for ease of use? Peel-and-stick is in its own league of frustration...
Peel-and-stick in the summer is a whole different beast. I remember trying to get a strip down on a porch roof when it was pushing 90 degrees—felt like wrestling with flypaper. Ended up with more of it on my forearms than the actual roof. I get why folks like it for ice dam areas, but for a full roof? Not unless I’m getting paid by the hour.
Synthetics are my go-to these days, but you’re right about the wind. I had a roll take off like a kite once—neighbor’s kid thought it was hilarious. Learned to keep a hammer and a pocketful of cap nails handy after that.
Felt’s kind of like that old pair of jeans—comfortable, but you know they’re not gonna last forever. I’ve patched more than one spot after a rainstorm softened things up. For quick jobs or sheds, though, it’s hard to beat the price.
If we’re talking which one limps across the finish line last, I’d probably agree with you on felt. But for sheer aggravation? Peel-and-stick wins that race every time...
Peel-and-stick in the summer is a whole different beast. I remember trying to get a strip down on a porch roof when it was pushing 90 degrees—felt like wrestling with flypaper.
Peel-and-stick can be a hassle in the heat, no doubt. But have you tried any of the newer self-adhered membranes that use recycled content? They’re not perfect, but I’ve found they’re less sticky-messy and a little more forgiving if you’re aiming for a greener build. For me, the biggest headache is still felt when it rains—just turns into mush. If you’re open to it, there are some eco-friendly underlayments that hold up better and don’t have the same wind issues as synthetics. It’s a few extra bucks, but worth it for peace of mind and less landfill waste.
I hear you on the felt turning to mush—been there, done that, and had to replace a whole section after a surprise summer storm. I tried one of those recycled-content membranes last year on my shed roof, and honestly, it was way less of a sticky mess than the old-school stuff. Still, nothing’s perfect. The synthetics are lighter and easier to handle, but I’ve had them flap around in high winds before the shingles went on. Sometimes feels like you’re picking the least annoying option rather than the best one.
Sometimes feels like you’re picking the least annoying option rather than the best one.
That’s exactly how I felt staring at the options in the hardware store—like, which one will make me swear the least? I went with felt because it was cheap, but after a week of rain, it looked like a soggy tortilla. The synthetic stuff sounds tempting, but does it really stay put if you’re not shingling right away? I’m half convinced my next roof will just be a tarp and some wishful thinking...
