The roof is necessary for protecting the integrity of your home. So, to adequately serve its purpose, the roof usually includes several components that make it fit to protect your home from harsh external conditions. One of the key elements a properly functioning roof features is underlayment.
In this article, we will explore the importance of roof underlayment. We will talk about its role in protecting the roof deck, preventing leaks, and enhancing the roofing system’s overall performance.
What Is Roofing Underlayment?
As we already know, the roof is every home’s major first line of defense against external weather conditions. It protects the home from bad weather like heavy rainfall, snow, hailstorm, etc.
However, the roof doesn’t do it all by itself. It also needs some form of protection to serve its purpose fully. One of these is an underlay component that can provide extra protection from underneath. That’s where the underlayment comes in!
The underlayment is installed on the roof deck and beneath the shingles or other roofing materials. It is a barrier between the roof deck and the other roofing elements.
In other words, the underlayment is like a waterproof layer that goes between the roof and the inside of the house. It’s like a raincoat for the roof; it keeps the water out and helps to keep the inside of the house dry. This process helps keep moisture, wind-driven rain, and other types of weather at bay.
The underlayment is usually made of felt, rubber, or synthetic materials. Hence, they are important components of the underlayment process.
During the underlayment process, roofers lay these materials out on the roof deck and then cover them with the roofing material, like shingles. This creates a barrier that keeps the water out and helps keep the roof in good condition.
Importance Of Roof Underlayment
The importance of roof underlayment is often understated. Meanwhile, records have shown that adding a layer of protection between your structural roof frame and roofing shingles greatly improves the lifespan and durability of your roofing structure. It also improves the general quality of the service your roof provides.
Overall, underlayment is a very important part of a roof; it helps to protect the house and keep it safe and dry. Without it, the roof would not function as it ought to, and the inside of the house could get damaged.
Below are some more concrete reasons why roof underlayment is important:
1. Protection of the roof deck
The underlayment acts as a barrier between the roof deck and the elements. Hence, it helps keep away moisture, wind-driven rain, and other types of weather.
Consequently, this helps to prevent rot, mold, and other types of roof deck damage that can be costly to repair or replace.
2. Leak prevention
The underlayment adds another layer of protection against leaks, which can occur due to various factors. Adding an underlay to your roof helps protect it from factors like missing or damaged shingles, improperly installed flashing, or poor workmanship.
The underlayment can help to keep the building’s interior dry, preventing damage to the structure and contents.
3. Enhanced performance
Underlayment has the potential to improve the overall performance of a roofing system. It can help to reduce energy costs by reflecting heat and keeping the building cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Synthetic underlayment can provide better fire, wind, and impact damage resistance than most other materials.
4. Increased Durability
Since underlayment can provide an additional layer of protection for your roof, it can help extend your roof’s lifespan. It can also help reduce the need for expensive repairs or replacements.
5. Compliance with building codes
Many building codes require the underlayment installed on new roofs to ensure proper building protection. Failure to install the underlayment may result in building code violations and fines.
6. Improves the appearance
A high-quality underlayment can improve the overall appearance of a roof. It can make your roof look more appealing and thus increase your building’s overall curb appeal.
It is important to note that installing proper underlayment is not an option but rather a requirement and essential component of a good roofing system.
Furthermore, selecting the appropriate underlayment for your specific roofing requirements is important. Lastly, ensure the help of a roofing professional with experience when installing it.
You can reach out to us at Shoreline Roofing. We have the expertise to help you install a proper roof underlay.
Types Of Roof Underlayment You Can Install
There are several types of roof underlayment you can install. They include:
· Asphalt-saturated felt
This is one of the most common types of underlayment and is made of asphalt and felt paper. It is inexpensive and simple to install but can become brittle over time and may provide less leak protection than other underlayments.
· Rubberized asphalt
This underlayment is made of a rubber and asphalt mixture and is more durable and resistant to leaks than felt underlayment. It is also more expensive and difficult to install, but it can better protect the roof deck and the building.
· Synthetic underlayment
This underlayment is made of synthetic materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene and is known for its durability, moisture resistance, and UV ray resistance. It is lightweight, simple to install, and resistant to extreme temperature changes.
They are more expensive than the other types but perform better overall.
Conclusion
Now that you know the importance of roof underlayment, don’t hesitate to contact us at Shoreline Roofing for your underlayment installation. Call us at (250) 413-7967 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.