NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I hear you on the synthetic underlayments—some of those “self-sealing” claims seem a bit optimistic, especially after a few freeze-thaw cycles. Have you noticed how some synthetics get slick, too? I keep wondering if we’re just trading durability for convenience. Is it really worth it in the long run, or are we just buying into marketing hype?
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I get where you're coming from. I’ve overseen a few projects where we swapped out felt for synthetics, and honestly, the “self-sealing” pitch didn’t always hold up—especially after a rough winter. One place had a crew slip and nearly take out a gutter because the underlayment was like ice. Sure, it’s lighter and faster to install, but I’m not convinced it’s always better in the long run. Sometimes, the old-school materials just handle abuse better, even if they’re a pain to work with.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I totally get the debate about felt vs synthetics. When we built, I was all about the “new and improved” stuff, but then I watched a neighbor’s synthetic underlayment basically turn into a slip-n-slide during a rainstorm. Made me rethink things. In the end, I went with felt—yeah, it’s heavier and smells weird, but at least it didn’t try to launch anyone off the roof. Sometimes old school just feels safer, you know?
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Can’t argue with your logic there—sometimes the “tried and true” just works better in the real world, even if it’s not as flashy. I’ve actually wrestled with the same decision. The synthetic stuff sounds great on paper: lighter, supposed to last longer, all that. But then you see what happens when it gets wet and… yeah, it’s like watching someone try to ice skate on a roof. Not ideal.
I do wonder about longevity, though. Some folks swear the newer synthetics hold up better over time, especially in really hot or humid climates where felt can break down. But for me, the peace of mind of not worrying about someone sliding off mid-job is worth a lot. Plus, if you’re doing the work yourself, felt just feels more manageable—less likely to tear or blow away if you get a gust of wind.
Guess it comes down to what makes you sleep better at night. For me, that’s old-school felt, weird smell and all.
“But for me, the peace of mind of not worrying about someone sliding off mid-job is worth a lot.”
That’s a good point. I went with felt last year for my garage roof, mostly because it was cheaper and I could actually get it at the local hardware store. The synthetic stuff looked nice, but the price difference was enough to make me hesitate. I will say, the felt was a bit awkward to handle solo—kept wanting to curl up on me—but it stayed put once I got it nailed down. Haven’t had any leaks yet, so fingers crossed it holds up for a few more years.
