felt’s forgiving nature is a big plus. Synthetics claim longer life, but they can be a pain when you have to fix even a small tear.
Man, you nailed it with that. I’ve seen more than one homeowner try to patch synthetic after a branch went through it—usually ends up looking like a duct tape art project. Felt’s not perfect, but at least you can slap on a patch and call it good. That said, after last year’s hailstorm, I did notice the synthetic held up better where it wasn’t already torn... so maybe there’s something to those “longer life” claims if you’re not dealing with constant repairs. Still, for quick fixes and peace of mind, felt’s hard to beat.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen synthetic outperform felt in the long run, especially on steeper roofs or spots that get hammered by sun. Yeah, patching felt is easier, but if you’re having to patch a lot, maybe the real issue is the underlayment choice in the first place. I’ve had fewer callbacks for leaks with synthetic, even if it’s a pain to fix a tear. Just my two cents—sometimes the hassle up front pays off later.
- Gotta say, I’m still leaning toward felt for my own place.
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Maybe, but for me, the upfront cost is a big deal. Synthetic was almost double what I paid for 30# felt last year.“sometimes the hassle up front pays off later.”
- My roof’s not super steep and doesn’t get crazy sun, so felt’s held up fine—no leaks in 8 years.
- I patched a couple spots after a windstorm, but it was cheap and quick. Not sure I’d want to wrestle with synthetic if it tore.
- If you’re on a tight budget or have an older house like mine, felt still makes sense. Just my two cents.
Makes sense to stick with what’s worked for you, especially if your climate and roof pitch aren’t pushing felt to its limits. I get the hype around synthetic, but honestly, the price can be hard to swallow if you’re not seeing big benefits. I’ve seen plenty of older homes where felt has lasted longer than folks expected—guess it really depends on the roof and how well it’s installed. Patching felt is definitely less of a headache too. No shame in going with the budget-friendly route if it’s holding up.
I get where you’re coming from. I was leaning toward synthetic at first, but the cost made me pause too. My neighbor’s house is 30+ years old with just felt, and it’s still holding up fine. Sometimes the tried-and-true stuff really does last if it’s put on right.