You nailed it—ventilation is the real star of the show here. I’ve seen folks get worried about synthetics, but nine times outta ten, the attic’s just not breathing right. Quick tip: I always check for insulation blocking the soffit vents (happens more than you’d think). If you can see daylight through your vents and the attic feels dry, you’re probably set. I still like felt for certain old houses, but synthetics have held up great on my jobs, even in muggy summers.
Funny you mention the soffit vents—when we moved in, ours were packed tight with old insulation and dust. Took a while to even realize that was the cause of the musty smell upstairs. I’m still on the fence about synthetics vs felt, though. Our roofer swears by synthetic, but I always wonder about long-term repairs if something leaks... seems like felt is easier to patch? Maybe I’m just stuck in old habits.
I’m still on the fence about synthetics vs felt, though. Our roofer swears by synthetic, but I always wonder about long-term repairs if something leaks... seems like felt is easier to patch?
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I went with felt last time just because it’s what I know and, yeah, you can slap a patch on it if something goes wrong. Synthetic is lighter and supposedly tougher, but I’ve heard mixed things about how it holds up if you ever need to do a small repair. Plus, felt’s usually cheaper up front. Hard to break old habits when they’ve worked, right?
I get the appeal of felt—it's familiar, and patching is pretty straightforward if you get a leak. But I’ve actually had a different experience with synthetics, especially on steeper roofs or in places with wild weather swings. The last time I helped a neighbor with a repair, the synthetic underlayment held up way better after a few years than the old felt on my own place. It didn’t tear as easily when we had to lift shingles, and it was less brittle in the cold.
Patching’s a bit different, yeah—you can’t just slap on a piece like you do with felt. But if you use the right tape or adhesive, it seals up tight and doesn’t soak up water like felt sometimes does. Plus, synthetics don’t wrinkle or break down as fast if they’re exposed for a bit during repairs.
Upfront cost is higher, but I’ve noticed less maintenance over time. If you’re in an area with lots of rain or snow, that extra durability might be worth it. Just my two cents from messing around with both...
Upfront cost is higher, but I’ve noticed less maintenance over time. If you’re in an area with lots of rain or snow, that extra durability might be worth it.
You make a fair point about synthetics holding up better in tough weather. I’ve seen similar results—felt just doesn’t cut it on steep slopes or when you get those freeze-thaw cycles. Still, I’m a bit wary of the patching process with synthetics. It’s not as forgiving if you mess up the seal, and some tapes don’t stick well in colder temps. But yeah, for long-term durability, especially where moisture’s a constant battle, synthetics are hard to beat. Just wish the price gap wasn’t so wide...
