If you’re planning to replace your roof, one of many decisions you’ll face is your choice of underlayment material. An underlayment is an important part of any roofing system; it is located on top of the sheathing and acts as a barrier against weather elements such as rain, ice and wind. You can choose from several different options for your underlayment, including builder’s felt, multiple synthetic materials and self-adhesive ice and water shield. The material you choose will depend on your region’s climate, your roof’s slope and local fire code requirements. Your Charleston roofing contractor can help you select the optimal underlayment for your roof.
Asphalt-saturated felt, typically known as builder’s felt, is a common underlayment material that has been in use for decades. Although the material itself has a paper base, the paper is saturated or coated with asphalt to increase its weather resistance. Builder’s felt is applied by rolling the product across the roof deck and nailing it down. Many homeowners and contractors choose this underlayment material because it is both affordable and easy to install, though it does have a few drawbacks. Asphalt-saturated felt is prone to tearing, especially in hotter climates. It doesn’t breathe well, so it has a tendency to trap moisture inside the layers of a roof.