“synthetics can be slicker than snot on a doorknob until you get some granules down.”
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve seen more than one guy do the “cartoon banana peel” routine up there, especially on those steep old Victorians. I’ll take felt for traction any day, but that’s about where my love for it ends.
From what I see during inspections, synthetics hold up better under most Midwest conditions—assuming you’re not buying bargain-bin stuff or leaving it to bake in the sun for weeks. Felt just doesn’t bounce back after a good soaking; I’ve poked my finger right through it more times than I care to admit. Synthetics, on the other hand, usually look pretty much the same as when they went down, even years later (unless someone’s been up there with golf spikes).
Only exception I’d make is if you’re dealing with a really old house and want to keep things “period correct.” Otherwise, synthetics win for longevity and weather resistance in my book. Just watch your step until those shingles are nailed down...
Had a crew nearly wipe out on a synthetic job last summer—those first few hours before the shingles went down were sketchy. But I’ll admit, after a couple years in the sun and rain, the synthetics still looked solid. Felt just doesn’t recover from a good storm or two.
Felt just doesn’t recover from a good storm or two.
I get what you’re saying about felt, but I’ve actually seen it hold up better than expected in some cases. On a couple of jobs last fall, we had storms roll through before the shingles went on, and the felt was still hanging in there—wrinkled, sure, but not torn up. Maybe it depends on the brand or how it’s installed? I’ve noticed if you don’t staple it down tight enough, it’s way more likely to blow off or get ripped.
The synthetic stuff definitely feels tougher, but I always worry about how slick it gets when you’re walking on it. Had a close call myself—almost slid right off the edge. Is there a trick to making it less slippery, or is that just something you have to deal with? I’m still learning, but sometimes the old-school materials seem more forgiving, even if they don’t look as pretty after a storm.
That’s a good point about how installation makes a difference. I’ve seen felt last through some nasty weather too, but only when it was put down with care. If the staples are too few or not flush, it’s like handing the wind an invitation to tear things up. One time we had a sudden squall come through before we could get shingles on, and half the felt was flapping like laundry because we rushed it. Lesson learned.
The synthetic underlayment is definitely tougher, but I hear you about how slick it gets. I nearly ended up in the bushes once—felt like walking on ice. Some guys I know wear special shoes or even sprinkle a bit of sand on their boots, but honestly, nothing makes it totally safe.
I still lean toward felt for smaller jobs where I know I’ll be shingling quick, just because it feels more predictable underfoot. But for bigger projects or if there’s rain in the forecast, synthetic gives me a little more peace of mind... as long as I take my time moving around up there.
If the staples are too few or not flush, it’s like handing the wind an invitation to tear things up.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve noticed even a little sloppiness with felt can come back to bite you, especially if the weather turns before you get shingles down. I get why some folks still prefer it for quick jobs though—walking on felt just feels less sketchy, especially when things are damp.
But I’m starting to see why synthetic is getting more popular. We did a big roof last fall and left the synthetic exposed for almost a week when rain kept pushing us back. It held up way better than felt would have, no question. Only thing that threw me was how slippery it got once there was any dew. I tried those grippy shoe covers but honestly, they didn’t help much.
I guess for me it comes down to how long the underlayment might be exposed. If it’s just a day or two, felt’s fine. But if there’s any chance of delays, synthetic seems safer for the roof itself—even if it’s a bit sketchier for us walking around.