Roofing underlayment is sometimes referred to as Felt Paper or Ice and Water Shield even though they are made out of various underlayment materials. The underlayment is an oftentimes-unseen yet vital part of present-day residential roofing systems. It’s the layer of waterproofing material that safeguards the roof deck or underlayer from water encroachment, in case the outer layer takes on damage. Below is a closer look at the types of underlayment that homeowners can get for their roof.
Underlayment for roofs or roofing paper comes in 3 general types:
- Asphalt-Saturated Felt (Felt Paper)
- Rubberized Asphalt
- Non-Bitumen Synthetics (Synthetic Felt Paper)
Below are the types of roofing underlayment
Asphalt-Saturated Felt Roofing Underlayment
The terminology “roofing-felt” or “felt paper” derived from the first kind of roofing underlayment material, asphalt-saturated felt. This backing material is effectively likewise to to tar paper but soaked with asphalt rather than tar as the water-resistant component. Felts were previously the most favorable underlayment choice but decreasing asphalt stock made it yield to other underlayment materials. This underlayment adds rigidity to the roofing deck, improving its durability against from impacts from hail-stones, flying debris and larger tree branches.
This underlayment has remained on the roofing market a long time. This is a paper product that is saturated in oil derivatives to aid in safeguarding the paper against water. They come in 15-lb and 30-lb thicknesses with the 30-lb felt type the thicker of the two.
Rubberized Asphalt Roofing Underlayment
Rubberized asphalt underlayment is liken to layers of rubber when installed and whereas it does contain the word “asphalt” in its name, it contains little to no asphalt in them. Like membrane roofing utilized on flat roofs, rubberized asphalt gets installed on the roofing deck using specialized adhesives. One of a main advantage of rubberized asphalt underlayment is that it is basically flexible, making it perfect for climates that go through both immensely hot and cold weather. The weather is also to blame why granules fall off of asphalt shingles.
This underlayment has a rubber-like appearance and feel to them. A lot of these underlayment’s are a peel-and-stick type, meaning that instead of needing fasteners, roofing contractors only need to peel off the membrane to “stick” them to the roof.
Non-Bitumen Synthetics Roofing Underlayment
Today’s roofs are probably installed with a non-bitumen synthetic underlayment. These latest underlayment’s are made from durable plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene and has used from food-grade containers to plastic car models. These synthetics display outstanding strength, flexibility and waterproofing, in addition to fundamental fungal growth resistance. Roofing systems from manufacturers such as GAF and CertainTeed use this as their standard underlayment material.
A lot of synthetic underlayment’s are also extremely resistant to the sun’s UV rays, making them perfect for situations in which the roof may be required to be left uncovered. For example, Epilay’s underlayment’s feature up to a year’s UV protection.
In Conclusion
A good underlayment is an important part of any structure’s roofing system. There are a lot of different options to think about. Weather, resistance to moisture, the location’s climate, local building codes, and the needs for the roofing product that you’ll be having installed. These are all things you are going to need to factor in order to choose the ideal underlayment for your project!
G Keith Roofing and waterproofing in New York
At G Keith Roofing and waterproofing, we know choosing a Roofing Contractor in the New York Area is a tough job. We are here to help make it easier! Locally owned and operated, G Keith Roofing and waterproofing has been providing roof installation and roof repairs throughout the surrounding New York areas since 1995. With each new roofing project, we strive to provide professional, timely service at a fair price. Contact G Keith Roofing and waterproofing right here!
