I see your point about ventilation, but honestly, sometimes underlayments just aren't as durable as advertised. I went with a mid-range synthetic underlayment, thinking it'd hold up fine with decent ventilation. Even after adding ridge vents and making sure airflow was good, it still started deteriorating way sooner than expected. Ventilation helps for sure, but I wouldn't totally let manufacturers off the hook—some products just don't live up to their claims, no matter how well you prep your attic.
"Even after adding ridge vents and making sure airflow was good, it still started deteriorating way sooner than expected."
Had a similar experience myself, but honestly, I've found that sometimes the pricier synthetic underlayments aren't always worth the extra cash either. A few years back, I went old-school with a decent-quality felt underlayment—nothing fancy, just solid and reliable—and it's held up surprisingly well. Ventilation matters, sure, but sometimes simpler materials just seem to age better... at least in my experience.
I've noticed the same thing with synthetic underlayments—spent extra thinking it'd last forever, but nope, started looking rough way sooner than I expected. Funny enough, my neighbor swears by the cheapest felt he can find and his roof looks better than mine after 10 years. Makes me wonder if climate or sun exposure plays a bigger role than we think... anyone else notice certain materials holding up better in specific weather conditions?
- Noticed similar issues here, especially with synthetic stuff in hotter climates.
- Felt seems to breathe better, maybe that's why your neighbor's roof looks decent?
- Wonder if humidity levels also factor into how quickly these materials degrade...
I've definitely noticed humidity playing a role. A buddy of mine down in Florida swears synthetic underlayment breaks down faster there because of all the moisture getting trapped underneath. Felt seems to handle it better, probably because it lets things breathe a bit more. Makes me wonder if manufacturers even test these materials in real-world conditions like high humidity and heat, or just ideal lab scenarios... Has anyone seen any durability differences based on attic ventilation setups?
