Total Roof Protection – Synthetic or Felt Underlayment?

Roofing underlayment is one of many essential components that make up a roof.

Available in multiple types, this seemingly insignificant layer places under the exterior roofing materials actually plays a critical role in how well any roof installation done by a professional roofing company performs.

Before assuming any underlayment product used by a roofer will work on your roof, it is important to understand how they work and which products work better for which applications.

What Is The Purpose Of Underlayment?

Underlayment is a thin protective layer that roofing companies install between the roof decking and external roofing materials.

It is a breathable, water-resistant barrier that protects a roof from moisture that might get under the shingles or other exterior materials.

Although a professional roof installation job would normally be watertight on its own, the underlayment provides secondary protection to the decking in case any moisture does seep under the shingles.

Because underlayment is water-resistant rather than waterproof, it also allows for a certain amount of breathability to aid roof ventilation.

Felt Vs. Synthetic Underlayment - Pros and Cons

There are two types of underlayment used by roofers today: felt and synthetic.

Although they both serve the same purpose, each has definite pros and cons that should be considered before choosing the one appropriate for your roof.

Felt Underlayment - A fabric made of fiberglass fibers and asphalt, felt underlayment is one of the first materials ever used by roofing companies to provide an element of water-tightness to any roof.

PRO

  • Readily available in multiple sizes and thicknesses for nearly any application from most suppliers.
  • Less costly as it is made from less-expensive materials, much more cost-effective for the right roof.

CON

  • Prone to tearing as this less durable material can tear more easily.
  • Heavier and can add significantly more weight when installed on a roof and take longer to install.
  • May absorb water and become wrinkled under the shingles.
  • Slippery which makes it unsafe to work on and more challenging to install.
  • Some warranty Issues as roofers and roofing product manufacturers may void warranties if felt underlayment is used.

Synthetic Underlayment - A fabric made of synthetic polymers, synthetic underlayment has become a popular choice for many roofing companies due to its many positive attributes in comparison to standard felt underlayment.

PRO

  • More moisture-resistant, non-absorbent, and repels moisture.
  • Lightweight and faster to install with 1/4th the weight of traditional underlayment.
  • Durable, strong, and tear-resistant.
  • Non-slip surface that is much safer for a roofing installation.
  • Recommended by most materials manufacturers and professional roofing companies.

CONS

  • Depending on type and thickness, synthetic may be up to four times the price of comparable felt underlayment.

Which Underlayment Is Best for Your Roof?

Underlayment is something that every roof needs, regardless of the type chosen.

Although standard felt underlayment is great to use in drier regions where moisture is not much of a concern or when cost is a limiting factor, synthetic underlayment is much preferred by most roofing companies because of its many positive features.

Discuss the options with your roofer before finalizing any roofing job!

Need A New Roof in Conroe Texas?

Roofers Conroe Is The Roofing Company You Need!

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Do You Know What Maintenance Your New Roof Needs?

So you just hired a roofing company to install a new roof on your home or commercial building and that structure will be protected from the elements for the next two decades or more - and things are looking good.

Do you know what happens next?

While you may not have to worry about that new roof for years to come, that’s only partially true.

Even new roofs require at least some amount of roof maintenance to ensure they continue to perform well and last their full expected lifetime.

Follow these simple tips to keep that brand new roof properly maintained so you get your money’s worth from your investment!

Roofing Maintenance Is Critical

As perfect as that brand newly installed roof may look today, it starts aging the minute it’s finished and exposed to the elements.

Roofs withstand a lot of extremes that gradually wear them out and break them down.

The only way to slow this process from day one is have a good roofing maintenance program and keep records of all work performed.

Inspection, prevention, and repairs when required are what will protect your roof and insure that it lasts as long as it’s meant to.

Perform Regular Roofing Inspections

A highly important part of roof maintenance and what is most overlooked is hiring a roofing company to perform routine inspections.

Right from the start, it’s critical to keep an eye on the roof to be sure that there are no problems with the workmanship that appear over time, problems with the materials, or unexpected damage.

Any of these concerns if undetected could result in considerable damage to your new roof and might not be covered by warranties or insurance if not detected and remedied when they first occur.

In addition, a routine roof inspection every year will allow your roofer to detect any developing problems and take care of them before they cause more deterioration to the roof.

You may also want to bring your roofer out to do an extra inspection after a bad storm like a hurricane or hailstorm to look for storm damage.

This type of damage can occur to any roof at any time, even if it’s brand new.

Keep It Clean at All Times

Another part of new roofing maintenance is to keep it clean and clear of debris.

Clean the gutters religiously every spring and fall, then check frequently for leaves, branches, and other debris that may be laying on top as there should be nothing on your roof.

If your roof is prone to grow moss, mold, or algae, have your roof company come out and do a professional cleaning periodically, as that kind of growth can gradually deteriorate a roof.

Establish A Maintenance Plan With Your Roofing Company

Your newly installed roof is a big investment in the protection and value of your home or commercial building, so be sure to keep in mind that roofs need maintenance right from the start to prevent unnecessary damage over time.

Create a plan with your roofing company once the roof is installed and work together to get a long, full service life from with few problems!

Just Installed A New Roof in Conroe Texas?

Talk to Roofers Conroe About Vital Roofing Maintenance!

Call (936) 298-2162 Today!

Tell Me How To Maintain My Company’s Commercial Roof!

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Every roof requires a certain amount of maintenance by expert roof companies to keep them in good shape and prevent the need for expensive roof repair. Although the roof on your commercial building may seem to be less complex than one installed on a residence, it really is no different. As a matter of fact, detecting damage and maintenance issues on your commercial building can be even more difficult.

To help make sure your roof stays in great condition, you should find qualified roof services that can provide the maintenance it requires throughout the years.

Practice Proactive Maintenance

The most important factor in keeping your commercial installation in great shape and preventing expensive roof repairs is being proactive with maintenance. Proactivity is more than just checking for damage and then repairing it. Proactivity is working with experienced roof companies that understand your specific roofing system and can provide the preventive maintenance necessary to prevent damage.

Rather than waiting for problems to arise and risking the possibility of more substantial damage, continue to protect your system to ward off potential problems. A "break-fix" approach to roof services usually ends up costing more in the long run than frequent inspections and preventive care.

You may also need to provide certain maintenance such as inspections, resealing seams and flashing, prompt roof repair of noted problems, and other preventive measures to satisfy the terms of your roofing warranty.

Arrange for Frequent Inspections

The second most important factor in providing effective maintenance to your roof are inspections. For commercial buildings, especially those in areas that see extreme high or low temperatures, most roof services recommend a bi-annual inspection since a lot can happen in six months.

Inspections of commercial roofing systems involve much more than a simple walk-over and visual inspection. They include moisture and thermal inspections using specialty equipment to determine the presence of leaks and other roofing problems as well as a routine cleaning if one is necessary.

Inspections Reveal Common Problems

Inspections allow contractors to continually monitor the most common problems that affect commercial roofing installations. This includes leaking seams, damaged or missing flashing, drainage problems, and the gradual failure of the installation due to age and other reasons.

When performed in the fall and the spring, inspections can reveal damage that has occurred over the winter and summer, leaving enough time for roof repair before the more extreme weather comes again.

Inspections After Storms

Besides your routine inspections, you should also arrange for additional inspections with roof companies after damaging storms have passed. Wind, hail, and other storm damage can very easily go unnoticed and usually requires a trained eye to detect it. If not discovered for a long period of time, your building could sustain more widespread damage that requires more extensive and costly roof repair.  

Although your specific maintenance requirements will differ depending on what type of roof is installed on the top of your building, the best protection for your building revolves around prevention. Schedule frequent, routine inspections by qualified roof companies as well as special inspections after extreme weather events. Roof services will then make suggestions for preventive care that will avoid leaks and other damage that require roof repair.

With this plan, you can be one step ahead of potential damage so your roof always stays in great shape!

Need Experienced Roof Services In Conroe Texas?

Contact GMA Restorations To Inspect Your Commercial Roof!

Call (936) 209-2162!

Choose A Hail-Resistant Roof And Add Up Your Cost Savings!

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Hail can severely damage a roof if it is not protected from its impact. To safeguard your home and reduce the need for roof services, you could benefit from a roof with impact-resistant materials. While hail-resistant asphalt shingles are a popular choice, metal roof companies stress that most metal installations provide the same protection. A metal roof that is rated to protect against hail will reduce your need for costly metal roof repair just like any other hail-resistant material.

Finding the Best Protection

Hail is unpredictable, ranging in size from small BB-sized pellets to balls of ice as large as softballs. To protect your home, you need roofing materials tested and confirmed to be strong enough to withstand the force of hail. Impact resistance is measured in classes, with Class 4 rated materials having the highest immunity from hail damage.

All Class 4 materials installed by roof services may still suffer damage from extremely large hail; however, it does offer the best protection against hail up to a few inches in diameter. Regardless of the material, anything rated with Class 4 impact resistance is suitable for protecting your home against the damaging effects of hail.

Metal As A Viable Option

Although impact-resistant shingles are a popular choice to protect against hail damage, metal is another material to think about. Many people do not realize that most metal roofing is Class 4 rated, meaning it can usually withstand the same hail that comparable yet more costly asphalt shingles can without the need for metal roof repair.

Depending on the type and thickness of the steel and the pitch of the installation, metal roof companies have great success providing hail resistant metal installations for their customers. When you also consider the fact that a metal installation is usually no more costly than upgraded Class 4 asphalt shingles, metal gives you another choice in your effort to protect your home against the ravages of hail.

Do Hail-Resistant Materials Really Save Money?

Whether you choose upgraded Class 4 asphalt shingles or a metal roof installed by experienced metal roof companies, hail-resistant materials can save you money over the lifetime of a roof. The primary savings is a greatly reduced chance of needing costly roof services to correct damage caused by hail, both today and in the future.

Additionally, most insurance companies offer a discount when you install Class 4 impact resistant materials. This includes durable metal, which is less likely to require metal roof repair because of hail damage. Although you may pay a more initially for a metal roof, the potential savings by avoiding severe hail damage outweigh the expense. Instead of facing large deductibles and other expenses due to the need for a new roof, your home will have the best protection possible from these durable materials.

Roofing is expensive. As a homeowner, you look for ways to save money while protecting your home in the best way possible. By choosing hail-resistant materials including metal roofs installed by metal roof companies, the money you spend on roof services will go much further. Class 4 hail-resistant materials greatly reduce the chance that you will need metal roof repair, making metal a cost-effective protection from hail damage!

Seeking Metal Roof Companies In Conroe Texas?

GMA Restoration Has Experience With Metal Roofing!

Call (936) 209-2162!