on the bright side, at least the synthetic underlayment held up better than the felt did on my neighbor’s place... his was basically mulch by year ten.
That lines up with what I’ve been seeing, too. Synthetic definitely seems to outlast felt, especially if you’re in an area with wild temperature swings or heavy rain. I helped on a job last summer where we pulled up 12-year-old felt and it just crumbled—total mess, stuck to the decking in spots. The synthetic stuff from a similar-age roof down the street came off in big sheets and was still tough, even after all those years.
It’s a bummer about the landfill thing, though. I had the same thought about recycling and got a blank stare from the crew chief. Maybe that’ll change eventually, but for now, it feels like you just have to pick what’ll last longer and keep things dry as long as possible.
Anyway, sounds like you made a solid call going with synthetic. At least you won’t be dealing with “mulch” if you ever need another tear-off down the road...
At least you won’t be dealing with “mulch” if you ever need another tear-off down the road...
Yeah, “mulch” is about right—felt just doesn’t hold up over time. I’d still love to see a synthetic option that’s easier on the environment, but for now, longevity matters a lot. You probably saved yourself a headache later.
I’d still love to see a synthetic option that’s easier on the environment, but for now, longevity matters a lot.
That’s the sticking point for me too. Synthetics definitely outlast felt—no contest there, especially if you’re in a climate with big temperature swings or lots of rain. But most of the synthetics are plastic-based, and I haven’t seen much info on how recyclable they actually are once you tear them off. Felt turns to “mulch,” sure, but at least it’s mostly organic material.
I’ve heard about some newer underlayments made from recycled materials or even bioplastics, but they’re not widely available yet. Has anyone actually used one of those? I’m curious if they hold up as well as the standard synthetics. For now, I get why people go with the longer-lasting stuff—nobody wants to redo their roof every decade—but I wish there were more eco-friendly options that didn’t sacrifice durability.
If you’re in a spot with lots of sun or heavy storms, synthetic is probably the safer bet for now. Just wish we didn’t have to pick between longevity and landfill...
That’s exactly where I’m at—torn between wanting something that’ll last and not loving the idea of more plastic waste. I’ve seen a couple brands touting recycled content, but nothing local yet. Honestly, it feels like we’re stuck waiting for the industry to catch up. At least felt will break down eventually, but it just doesn’t hold up in our wet winters. Wish there was a clear win for both durability and the planet...
I hear you on the plastic waste thing. I ended up going with felt last time because it just seemed like the “safer” choice for the environment, but honestly, it didn’t hold up well at all once the rainy season hit. My neighbor tried a synthetic underlayment that was supposed to be partially recycled, but the price was way up there. I wish there was a budget-friendly option that didn’t feel like a compromise... I’m still patching leaks every spring.