- Totally agree humidity is a big factor... noticed my felt underlayment lasted way better than the synthetic stuff my neighbor used.
- Also, attic ventilation seems key—I improved mine with extra soffit vents last year, and the attic feels noticeably drier now. Makes me wonder if that alone helps extend underlayment lifespan.
- Curious if anyone's tried ridge vents or turbines and seen improvements? Seems logical they'd help with moisture control.
"Also, attic ventilation seems key—I improved mine with extra soffit vents last year, and the attic feels noticeably drier now."
You're spot on about attic ventilation. In my experience inspecting homes, poor ventilation is one of the biggest culprits behind premature underlayment failure. I've seen plenty of roofs with synthetic underlayment deteriorate faster than expected because moisture got trapped underneath. Felt does seem to handle humidity better, probably because it can breathe a bit more naturally.
Ridge vents can definitely help—I've noticed homes with proper ridge venting usually have fewer moisture-related issues overall. Turbines can be effective too, but they're hit or miss depending on wind conditions and installation quality. Personally, I'd lean toward ridge vents for consistent airflow, especially if you already improved soffit ventilation. Good airflow from soffit to ridge is key... without that, even the best underlayment won't last as advertised.
Ridge vents are usually my go-to as well, but I've seen turbines do a decent job if they're installed right. Honestly though, no underlayment lasts if your attic's a sauna... ventilation really is half the battle.
Yeah, ventilation is key for sure. I've seen roofs with premium synthetic underlayments fail way sooner than expected just because the attic was cooking all summer. Turbines can help if they're spinning right, but honestly, I've pulled off shingles and found crispy underlayment even with decent ridge vents. Sometimes it's just luck of the draw—or maybe manufacturers are a bit optimistic on those lifespan claims...
"Sometimes it's just luck of the draw—or maybe manufacturers are a bit optimistic on those lifespan claims..."
Yeah, I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I've rarely seen premium underlayments fail purely because of attic heat. Usually, when I see crispy underlayment, it's after storm damage that went unnoticed for a while—small leaks can bake under there and speed things up. Not saying ventilation doesn't matter, just that hidden moisture infiltration is way more common than people realize...
