Yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the UV ratings. When we did our roof last year, we went with a mid-range synthetic underlayment because, honestly, the premium stuff was just way out of our budget. The sales guy swore up and down it would hold up fine for at least a month exposed, but after just two weeks of delays (because, like you said, DIY never goes as planned), it started looking pretty sketchy. It didn't fail or anything, but it definitely didn't inspire confidence either.
I think part of the issue is that these ratings are probably tested under ideal conditions—like lab settings or climates that aren't exactly representative of real-world extremes. I mean, how many of us live in a perfectly mild climate with no storms, no intense sun, and no unexpected delays? Probably none, right?
Honestly, I've started taking all those advertised ratings with a grain of salt. I figure if they say it'll last 30 days exposed, I mentally cut that in half just to be safe. Maybe that's overly cautious, but I'd rather not risk having to redo the whole thing again in a few years. Plus, it seems like manufacturers always have some fine print tucked away somewhere that covers them if things don't go as promised.
Makes me wonder though—has anyone here actually had an underlayment that genuinely exceeded expectations? Like, something affordable that actually held up better than advertised? I'd love to hear about it, because at this point, I'm starting to think it's all just marketing hype...
We had a similar experience when we redid our roof a couple of years ago. Went with a synthetic underlayment rated for 60 days exposure, figuring that was plenty of buffer even if things went sideways (which, of course, they did). After about three weeks of delays—thanks to surprise thunderstorms and scheduling issues—it started looking pretty rough around the edges. It held up okay in the end, but it definitely didn't look like something I'd trust leaving exposed for two whole months.
Funny thing is, my neighbor across the street used a cheaper felt underlayment around the same time. He got delayed even longer than we did, and his roof looked almost exactly the same as ours by the time he finally got shingles on. It made me wonder if all these fancy UV ratings and premium options really mean much in real-world conditions. Seems like sometimes the old-school materials hold up just as well (or just as poorly, depending how you look at it).
At the end of the day, I think you're right—whatever rating they give, cut it in half and hope for the best. Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to roofing.
Had something similar happen when we redid our roof last spring. Went with a mid-range synthetic underlayment, thinking we'd be safe for at least a month or two. But after just two weeks of sun and rain, it already started curling up at the edges—made me question if the pricier stuff is even worth it. Wonder if the climate or brand makes a bigger difference than the actual rated exposure time? Seems like they all struggle once they're actually put to the test...
"Wonder if the climate or brand makes a bigger difference than the actual rated exposure time?"
Honestly, I think it's a bit of both. When we redid ours a couple years back, I went full cheapskate mode and grabbed whatever was on sale at the local hardware store. Figured, "Hey, it's just underlayment, right? How much difference could it make?" Well, turns out quite a bit. After just one good storm, it looked like I'd laid down giant potato chips instead of roofing material—curled edges everywhere.
But then my neighbor splurged on some fancy premium stuff, and guess what? Same problem after about three weeks. Maybe slightly less curly, but still not exactly confidence-inspiring. Makes me wonder if these ratings are tested in some magical lab where weather doesn't exist. Or maybe they're just hoping we won't notice?
Either way, seems like underlayments are the printer ink cartridges of roofing—never lasting as long as promised and always costing more than you'd think...
Same here, honestly. I went mid-range thinking it'd hold up better, but after one hot summer, it looked like I'd installed crispy bacon strips. Maybe climate really is a bigger factor than brand or rating? Makes you wonder what those ratings even mean...
