Exactly, seems like they're just ticking boxes to call it "weather-resistant." I've seen plenty of underlayments here in Florida that claim to handle moisture but fall apart after a few seasons. Makes me wonder—are they even testing these things beyond basic lab conditions?
I've wondered the same thing myself, especially after seeing so many roofs here in humid climates where the underlayment just disintegrates after a few years. Makes you think: are manufacturers even considering real-world conditions like intense sunlight, salt air, or prolonged humidity? Lab tests are fine for baseline standards, but how closely do they really simulate Florida summers or coastal weather?
I inspected a roof recently that was supposedly installed with a "premium" moisture-resistant underlayment. Less than five years in and it was already brittle and tearing apart in spots. Made me question if these products have improved at all over the past decade or if it's mostly marketing hype. Maybe the issue isn't just testing, but also how clearly they're communicating realistic lifespan expectations...
I've noticed similar issues too, but honestly, could installation quality be playing a bigger role here? Even the best materials fail fast if they're not properly installed...maybe it's not just the product specs but also who's putting it up?
"Even the best materials fail fast if they're not properly installed...maybe it's not just the product specs but also who's putting it up?"
You're spot on with this. I've seen underlayments that were supposed to last decades fail in just a few years because of sloppy installs. One thing I've learned is to always double-check the decking surface first—make sure it's clean, dry, and smooth. Also, proper overlap and fastening are key; shortcuts here can cause headaches later. Good materials plus careful installation usually equals fewer surprises down the road.
That's interesting, I hadn't really considered the decking surface as a factor before. As someone who's new to homeownership, I've mostly focused on product specs and warranties—probably too much. Makes sense that even premium materials won't hold up if they're not installed right or if the surface prep isn't thorough. Guess I'll need to pay closer attention when we redo ours next spring...thanks for pointing that out!
