You’re not wrong about felt being vulnerable in high winds. I’ve seen plenty of cases where traditional 15# or even 30# felt just couldn’t hold up once the shingles started to lift, especially on steeper slopes or in open areas where the wind really gets under there. Once water finds its way beneath, it’s a headache—rot, mold, you name it.
The curling on synthetics is a pain, but in my experience, it’s often tied to how it’s installed and sometimes the specific product. Some of the budget synthetics don’t lay flat, especially if they’re left exposed too long before shingles go on. The newer UV-resistant synthetics are definitely an improvement, though. I’ve inspected roofs where the underlayment was exposed for weeks and still looked fine.
If I had to pick, I’d lean toward a good-quality synthetic for storm-prone areas, even with the occasional curling. It’s not perfect, but it tends to stay put better than felt when the weather gets wild. Just make sure whoever’s installing it knows what they’re doing—fastener spacing and overlap make a big difference.
Had a similar debate with my contractor a few years back when we re-roofed after a nasty windstorm. I was leaning toward felt just out of habit—my old man always used it—but the last storm peeled half of it up like a sardine can. Water got in, and next thing I knew, I was dealing with stained ceilings and a musty smell that wouldn’t quit.
We went with synthetic the second time around. Not gonna lie, there was some curling at the edges where the crew rushed things, but overall it held up way better when another round of storms hit. I’m in Oklahoma, so wind is just part of life here. The synthetic didn’t tear or let water through, even after sitting exposed for almost two weeks while we waited on shingles.
I do think you get what you pay for, though. My neighbor tried to save a few bucks with bargain-brand synthetic and ended up with more problems than he started with—stuff shriveled up in the sun and tore at the fasteners. If you’re in a windy spot, I’d say spend a little extra for the good stuff and double-check how it’s installed. It’s not perfect, but it’s been less hassle for me than felt ever was.
the last storm peeled half of it up like a sardine can. Water got in, and next thing I knew, I was dealing with stained ceilings and a musty smell that wouldn’t quit.
That’s rough. Wind can be brutal on felt, especially if it’s not nailed down just right or gets left exposed too long. I’ve seen more than a few jobs where the old-school felt just couldn’t keep up with Oklahoma gusts—one time, we had to chase it halfway down the block.
You nailed it about synthetic holding up better, though. The stuff’s lighter, but somehow tougher against tearing and UV. I’ve noticed the same thing with bargain brands, though—sometimes they’re so thin you can see daylight through them. Not worth the headache.
I do think felt still has its place, especially for quick jobs or if you’re shingling right away. But for anything that might sit exposed, synthetic’s been way less drama in my experience. Just gotta watch those edges and make sure the crew isn’t rushing—curling can sneak up on you fast.
Props for sticking it out after that first mess. Roofing’s never boring, that’s for sure...
I’ve seen synthetic take a beating and still hang on, but I’ve also had a roll of it tear right down the ridge when the wind picked up—guess it depends on the brand and install. Has anyone noticed if certain synthetics handle hail better than others?
I’ve seen the same thing—synthetic can be tough, but it’s not all created equal. Some brands really do seem to handle hail better, especially the heavier stuff with more reinforcement. I’ve noticed the cheaper rolls tend to get shredded or even punctured by bigger hail, while the pricier ones just get a few dents and keep going.
Install makes a difference too. If it’s stretched too tight or not fastened right, wind or hail will find a way in. I had one job where we used a mid-range synthetic and after a hailstorm, there were little craters everywhere but no leaks. On another roof with basic felt, it just tore right through.
Honestly, I think climate matters too—down south where hail is more common, folks seem to go for the thicker synthetics. Up north, I still see a lot of felt because it’s cheap and easy to work with, but it doesn’t hold up as well long-term if you get a bad storm.