Install makes a difference too. If it’s stretched too tight or not fastened right, wind or hail will find a way in.
Couldn’t agree more—install is half the battle. I’ve tried to save a buck with cheap felt before, but one hailstorm and it looked like Swiss cheese. The pricier synthetics sting up front, but they really do seem to take a beating and just keep trucking. Still, my wallet always tries to argue with my common sense...
That’s what gets me—does paying more for synthetic really pay off, or is it just marketing hype? I’ve seen some of those “eco-friendly” synthetics that claim to last 30+ years, but do they actually hold up in real-world weather? And has anyone noticed if they trap more heat underneath than felt does? My neighbor swears by the old-school felt, but his roof always seems to need patching after a big storm. Maybe it’s just bad luck... or maybe install really is everything.
I’ve seen both sides of this debate play out on job sites, and honestly, it’s not as cut and dry as some folks make it out to be. I’ve worked on roofs where the old felt was still hanging in there after 20 years, but I’ve also torn off plenty that turned to mush after just a decade—usually after a few rough winters or a stretch of heavy storms. The thing is, felt can be pretty forgiving if you’re dealing with mild weather, but once you get those sideways rains or a week of snow melt, it doesn’t always hold up.
Now, about synthetics—yeah, they cost more up front, but I’ve noticed they’re a lot tougher when it comes to resisting tears during install. That’s a big deal if you’re working on a windy day or if the roof sits exposed for a while before shingles go on. I remember one job last summer where we had to pause for almost two weeks because of supply delays. The synthetic underlayment didn’t budge, even after a couple storms rolled through. If that had been felt, I’d have been back up there patching holes.
As for the heat question, I’ve heard people say synthetics trap more heat, but in my experience, it’s not a huge difference—at least not enough to notice from inside the house. Maybe if you’re in Arizona or somewhere roasting hot, it could matter more. Around here (Midwest), it’s not something homeowners complain about.
One thing I will say: installation really does make or break it. I’ve seen felt jobs fail just because someone rushed and left gaps or didn’t overlap right. Same goes for synthetic—if you don’t fasten it down well, wind will find a way underneath.
Long story short, I lean toward synthetic for most jobs these days, especially if the budget allows. But I wouldn’t say felt is useless—it just needs a little more TLC and maybe isn’t the best pick if your area gets hammered by storms.
I get what you’re saying about synthetic being tougher, but I’m still not totally sold. My neighbor went with synthetic and had issues with it getting slippery when wet—made it a pain for the crew. Plus, the upfront cost is no joke if you’re on a tight budget. Maybe felt isn’t perfect, but for folks who don’t get crazy weather, I don’t see it as a total dealbreaker.
Yeah, I’ve seen that too—synthetic can get slick, especially if there’s morning dew or a light rain. It’s definitely something to watch for on steeper roofs. The cost is higher up front, no doubt, but it does hold up better if the shingles get delayed or if you’re in a spot with unpredictable storms. For milder climates and quick installs, felt still gets the job done. Just gotta weigh how long you expect it to be exposed and what kind of weather you’re dealing with.