Sandwiched between the outer roof covering and the decking or sheathing, the underlayment is one of the integral components of a residential roofing system. It is essentially a barrier that protects both your roof and your home from moisture. Waynco Roofing, your go-to local contractor for your roof insurance claim needs, highlights its importance in today’s blog.
Why Use a Roof Underlayment?
Applying a layer of protection between the structural roof decking or sheathing and the outer roofing material helps create an appealing and long-lasting roofing system. Here’s why roofing pros make sure the underlayment is installed:
- Water Repellent – Wind-driven rain can get trapped underneath the roofing material, compromising your roof deck and your home interior to the damaging effects of moisture. With the underlayment present, the roof drains rainwater effectively, protecting your home from leaks.
- Weather Protection – If some pieces of shingles get blown off the roof in the event of a strong storm, the underlayment acts as the secondary barrier that guards the roof deck against rainwater.
- Uniform Look – During a roof replacement, the roofing pros might notice that the roof decking has an uneven surface. Covering it with the underlayment, however, gives it a uniform appearance.
A typical underlayment material is installed by sealing the seams using waterproofing material with adhesive backing. Nails are mechanically fastened to the deck right after. Depending on the manufacturer, some underlayment products let the roof deck “breathe” by letting moisture evaporate from it.
Types of Underlayment
Roofers relied on asphalt-saturated underlayment before synthetic products became popular. It has a base made of cellulose which is saturated with asphalt for water resistance. A synthetic underlayment, meanwhile, is the preferred product roofers use today. It is also saturated with asphalt, but the fiberglass addition gives it superior tear resistance and stability. Rubberized asphalt is more expensive than the two because of its high asphalt and rubber polymer content that gives it waterproofing qualities.
To learn more about our asphalt shingle or metal roofing cost, turn to Waynco Roofing. Our services include roof replacement and re-roofing, as well as roof repair. We have the experience, knowledge, and expertise that it takes to get your roofing job completed on time and to your satisfaction. As a GAF-certified roofer, we can offer you a wide range of underlayment product choices for your new roof.
Call (704) 814-9566 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.
