- Seen the same thing with synthetics getting slick—especially early mornings with dew.
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“Curious if anyone’s had trouble with synthetic tearing around fasteners over time?”
- Had a couple jobs where cheaper synthetics tore up around cap nails after a season, mostly on steeper pitches or spots that see a lot of foot traffic.
- Higher-end synthetics hold up better, but nothing’s perfect.
- Still prefer synthetic for longevity, but always double-check the fastener pattern and avoid stretching it too tight.
- Felt just doesn’t cut it in heavy rain zones for me anymore.
I get why folks lean toward synthetics, but honestly, I’m still not convinced they’re always better long-term. My place is in the Midwest, and after a couple of rough winters, the synthetic underlayment started curling up at the edges—especially where the wind hits hardest. Felt might not be perfect in heavy rain, but at least it didn’t get as brittle in the cold for me. Maybe it’s just the brand or installer, but I’m not totally sold on synthetic being the clear winner everywhere.
- Seen the same curling with synthetic on some of our north-facing properties—wind just gets under there after a few freeze-thaw cycles.
- In my experience, felt does stay more flexible in subzero temps, but it can get soggy if the install drags out.
- Installer technique seems to matter a lot. If they don’t fasten the edges well, even the pricier synthetics can lift or wrinkle.
- We’ve had better luck with heavier-weight synthetics, but they’re not all created equal... some cheaper rolls are basically plastic tarps.
- Midwest winters are brutal on anything exposed. I wouldn’t call synthetics a slam dunk either, at least not for every roof or budget.
Installer technique seems to matter a lot. If they don’t fasten the edges well, even the pricier synthetics can lift or wrinkle.
You nailed it—installer skill is half the battle. I’ve seen “premium” synthetics flap around like a car dealership balloon man after a lazy staple job. Midwest wind doesn’t care what you paid for the roll. Hang in there... sometimes it’s just about picking your battles (and your installer).
I’ve managed both types on different properties, and honestly, I’ve seen felt outlast synthetic when the install was meticulous, especially on lower slopes. But with a good installer, synthetics really do hold up to foot traffic and moisture better over time. Curious if anyone’s had issues with synthetics getting brittle after a few years? That’s been my only reservation.
