What is underlayment?
Underlayment is the first protective layer applied to your home’s sheathing. There are a few different types of underlayment contractors used commonly today, it’s important to understand the differences before choosing a contractor.
Roofing felt, also known as tar paper, is the traditional underlayment option.
Roofing felt comes in 15 pound or 30 pound options, referring to the thickness of the material. It’s the most common underlayment we find when replacing a roof. We commonly see roofing felt failures on concrete tile roofs, even though the tiles are in good condition. We don’t advise using roofing felt as an underlayment option.
Synthetic underlayment is a better option than tar paper. Since it’s not an organic compound, it tends to last longer than tar paper. GAF Felt Buster is at the lower priced level of synthetic underlayment, and since the price is comparable to 30 lb tar paper, it’s an easy choice.
GAF Tiger Paw and GAF Deck Armor are premium synthetic roofing options. We use Tiger Paw underlayment on all main roof areas with our Golden Pledge warranty package.
Tiger Paw Premium Roof Deck Protection combines strength and long term durability to help protect your home against wind driven rain.
Deck-Armor Premium Breathable Roof Deck Protection combines strength and breathability to help protect your home against wind driven rain and trapped moisture.
GAF Storm Guard is a premium peel-and-stick, self sealing option for roofing underlayment
By creating a barrier at the most vulnerable areas of your asphalt shingle or metal roof (at the eaves and rakes, in valleys, around chimneys, etc.), StormGuard Film-Surfaced Leak Barrier helps prevent leaks due to water backing up in your gutters, wind-driven rain, and in cold areas, damaging ice dams. It will also help protect your home from expensive wall and ceiling staining from leaks. StormGuard is a key part of the GAF Lifetime Roofing System. It’s eligible for Lifetime ltd. warranty when used on Lifetime Shingle roofs and it’s an eligible component of GAF residential enhanced warranties.
The 50 year GAF Golden Pledge warranty requires we use GAF synthetic underlayment paired with Storm Guard leak barrier along the eaves, valleys, and other areas more prone to leaks. It’s important to remember that roofing products are designed as a system, and all components are important to the longevity of your new roof.
Contact us today to get a free estimate including the products listed above.