What is roofing underlayment & why do you need it? | Long …

Your roof protects your home from the elements. Pretty basic stuff, right? Less obvious are the parts that go into the whole roof system. Maybe youve never heard of roofing underlayment. Its doing a lot of work for you every day.

Roofing underlayment is a water-resistant or waterproof barrier material that is installed directly onto your roof deck. It is applied under all other roofing materials as an added layer of protection from severe weather.

There are three main types of roofing underlayment:

Asphalt-saturated felt and synthetic underlayment are water-resistant. Rubberized asphalt underlayment is waterproof.

Asphalt-saturated felt was the go-to roofing underlayment until about 15 years ago. Thats when synthetic products started gaining in popularity.

Synthetic underlayment (technically non-bitumen synthetic underlayment) is the preferred underlayment of most roofing professionals today.

Rubberized asphalt is more expensive than other types pf roofing underlayment. Why? It contains higher percentages of asphalt and rubber polymers, making it waterproof.

Roofing underlayment provides your roof with an extra layer of protection that shingles alone cant match.

Your shingles serve their own purpose: theyre the first line of defense. Shingles reflect the suns rays, withstand wind and block precipitation.

But shingles overlap and arent sealed at all corners. They can be lifted by strong winds. This makes shingles vulnerable to tear-off or infiltration by wind-driven rain. Shingles can become brittle from age. The heat of an unventilated attic can cook your shingles, too.

Water-resistant underlayment is enough for the surfaces of most roofs. It provides the protection that your roof needs during and after installation.

Big weather case study!

Even without the added protection of shingles, a superior product can withstand some seriously extreme weather.

The image below shows the wind damage caused by an extreme weather event in Hollywood, Maryland on July 19, 2011. The 20-inch diameter pine tree in this photo was snapped in half by winds reported to be in excess of 80 miles per hour.

In the background, you can see a church undergoing a roof replacement. CertainTeeds DiamondDeck water-resistant underlayment was the only roofing material on this roof when the storm hit.

This photograph of the church roof (below) was taken the same day as the one above. It shows that DiamondDeck alone protected this roof during an unexpected extreme weather event.

These photographs show that no parts of the underlayment were torn or lifted. There were no leaks. Thats strong underlayment!

There are regions where only waterproof roofing underlayment should be used. Waterproof underlayment is recommended for roofs in regions prone to high winds or ice damning.

Waterproof roofing underlayment should be used at:

Are you using roofing underlayment? What kind? Your roofing warranty may be contingent on the answer.Check your roofs warranty coverage itmay also define how (staples or wind strips) and where (eaves, low-slope roofs) the underlayment is to be installed.

Anew roof is a significant investment for most homeowners. Dont overlook your roofing warranty details.

Contact Long Roofing at (800) 417-5664. Visit us online to get a price, schedule a free, in-home consultation or find answers to any home roofing questions. Ask us about our industry-leading 50-year roofing warranty!

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What is roofing underlayment & why do you need it? | Long ...