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!

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Fixing Hail Damage – What It Could Cost to Restore Your Roof!

Of all the things that can damage a roof, hail can be the worst.

Depending on the extent of the damage and how widespread it is, hail damage roofing repair can be quite costly, too.

If your roof has been affected by hail, it is essential to have a roof repair company look at it before assuming everything is fine.

Even what seems like minor damage from the surface can be hiding bigger issues that will cause more extensive damage over time and costlier repairs.

Understanding Hail Damage

Hail damage can be sneaky, which makes it so important to have a roofing repair service check your roof after a hail storm.

Though dents and dings are easy to see on metal roofs as are broken or chipped shingles and tiles on ceramic and slate roofs, this is not always the case with dimensional or asphalt roofs that are more common across the country.

When architectural or dimensional shingles are hit by hail, a number of things might happen, some of which require roofing repair.

  • There might be no damage at all if it was lighter hail.
  • Hail could dent the shingles or remove some of the protective granular coating on the top of them which might seem minor yet still demands an inspection by a roof repair company.
  • Larger hail can actually crack or break shingles.
  • Although least noticeable by the naked eye but highly damaging overall, shingles impacted by hail can flex and crack on the underside, allowing water to get in over time so that everything under the shingles slowly rots away.

How Much Will Repairs Cost?

The cost of hail damage roof repair services will vary greatly depending on the:

  • Type of roof being repaired.
  • Extent of the damage.
  • What type of repair needs to be made.

Regardless of the type, a few chipped, cracked, or broken shingles can be easily repaired for a relatively low cost in comparison to repairing more extensive damage.

According to roofers, metal roofs may not need any repair at all if you can deal with the dents and dings or depending on how much of the roof is damaged, the other option is to replace each affected panel with the cost related to the damage.

Asphalt shingles present a different hail damage repair problem as they may look fine on the outside but have considerable damage underneath.

If there is widespread loss of the top granular coating or many dented or cracked shingles, the wise solution is to replace the whole roof.

Additionally, if your shingle roof is already older or in bad shape, roofers advise that the likelihood is high of more extensive damage that needs a total replacement.

Minimize Damage with A Prompt Roof Inspection

When a possibility of hail damage exists, it is critical to have your roof inspected quickly by a roofing company to detect hidden hail damage that requires repair.

The less obvious damage like dents and cracks or even broken adhesive seals are what can cause even more harm over time than the hail itself.

Having roofers tend to any problems sooner rather than later will prevent widespread water damage like rot that can destroy an entire roof from beneath the seemingly fine shingles.

Therefore, the true cost of repairing hail damage depends on finding all damaged roofing materials to prevent additional deterioration from happening.

Also note that how much your homeowner's insurance will pay to repair this damage depends on your policy; however, the longer you wait to look for potential problems, the greater the chance your claim could be viewed as neglect and denied.

Reduce Cost By Getting Hail Damage Repaired Fast

Hail can produce different degrees of damage to a roof depending on the roofing materials, hail size and severity of impact, age and condition of the roof, and many other variables.

Though some damage is more obvious, much of the hail damage that requires roofer repair is invisible to the untrained eye.

Your best chance to keep repair costs lower is to schedule an inspection with a roof repair service right after a hail storm and take it from there.

Prevent the additional damage that can come from unseen leaks to keep repair costs as reasonable as possible!

Need Hail Damage Roofing Repair in Conroe Texas?

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Practical Reasons For Having New Roofing Installed!

If you are debating whether to invest in a new roofing installation now or to put it off as long as you can, you should know that there are multiple reasons why hiring roofers to do it now makes more sense than waiting.

Whether your installation is suffering from ongoing roof maintenance issues or is simply nearing its suggested retirement age, consider the less obvious but equally important reasons why replacing the roof on your home or building now is more practical than continuing to put it off.

1. Prevent Unnecessary Damage

An old roofing installation that needs to be replaced could be contributing to undetected structural damage.

Even when regular roof maintenance has been done and repairs have been made as needed, there comes a time when the possibility of accumulating damage due to these repeated minor problems must be recognized.

Rather than end up with a much larger repair bill to fix structural or other issues, invest in a new roof and stop it all.

2. Increase Property Value

The age and condition of the roof is an important factor when determining property value.

The more work a home or building needs, the less it is worth.

When you choose to call roofers before a property value assessment, the appraised value of your building will be much higher, sometimes even higher than the cost of the roof itself.

Alternatively, a bad roof can disproportionately reduce value.

3. Create More Curb Appeal

Appearance matters, whether it is a house in a neighborhood or a business location somewhere.

Newer roofing installations always produce a more attractive and well-kept appearance that stands out and relays the message that a home or building is maintained and there is owner pride.

4. Improve Energy Efficiency

According to experienced roofers, as a roof ages the less energy efficient the materials become as they slowly degrade over time.

Add to this the idea that roofing materials are continually being improved and made more environmentally friendly and energy efficiency could be improved considerably by investing in a new installation sooner rather than later.

5. Better Materials and Warranties

In the 20+ years that even shorter-lived roofing materials may last, many new and improved products that last longer and perform better will be introduced.

Replacing older materials with newer ones reduces your need to hire roofers to do increasing amounts of roof maintenance since today’s materials are of better quality.

Today’s materials also carry better and longer warranties.

6. Sell Faster

If trying to sell your home or building, one of the most attractive features that will help property sell faster is a new roofing installation.

Between the benefits of improved appearance and curb appeal, increased property value, energy-efficiency, and longer-lasting, higher-performing materials, the property will attract more interest and sell faster than if left with an old roof that is already aging.

7. Home Health and Comfort

With a new roof, issues are eliminated like attic dampness and mold growth that can affect indoor air quality, increase allergies, and cause various respiratory illnesses.

An energy-efficient, high-performing roof also makes it easier to keep the interior of a home or building at a comfortable temperature in all seasons.

Ready to Get That New Roofing Installation?

With so many important reasons illustrating the importance and practicality of a new roof, what are you waiting for?

Whether selling, dealing with too much roof maintenance and repairs, wanting to reduce utility bills, or just desiring a home or building to look nicer, all of these things can be resolved at once when you call a roofer for a new roof!

Looking for Roofers in Conroe Texas?

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Don’t Make These Mistakes When It’s Roof Replacement Time!

Any commercial or residential roof replacement is a large and expensive investment in your home or building.

Naturally, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend more than necessary on a roof or end up with one that has problems over time or does not last as long as it should.

How can you avoid these problems when a roof replacement is needed?

Be certain to get long-lasting, quality work from a roofing service by being sure to avoid these common roofing mistakes!

1. Putting It Off or Never Get Round To It

If you already know you need to replace your roof due to signs of aging or other problems, delaying the inevitable is probably not going to save any money and instead might actually cost you more.

As the roof condition worsens, it increases the likelihood that there will be undiscovered leaks or other problems that cause additional damage requiring additional roofing services.

You could go from needing a new roof to needing structural work done as well!

2. Hiring the Wrong Roofer

Being a roofer is an exacting job that requires skill, training, and attention to detail.

It’s essential to thoroughly research and interview roofers before hiring to be sure you choose a reputable service that:

  • Has competent, well-trained employees.
  • Is honest.
  • Offers a good warranty.
  • Provides a great new roof at a reasonable price.

The roofer you hire should be:

  • Licensed and have proof of insurance.
  • Trained and approved to install the products they use.
  • Willing to perform a thorough and honest inspection.
  • Able to provide a detailed estimate.
  • Ready to stand behind their quality workmanship.

3. Installing New Materials Over Old

Though it may seem like a money saver to install new materials over the old to avoid removal and disposal costs, it’s a huge mistake.

That will not provide a proper surface to install new roof materials, make getting accurate inspections harder, and cause any future problems to cost twice as much.

In addition, since it is very unlikely that an experienced roofer will do that, so consider it a red flag if a contractor suggests doing that as a way to cut costs.

4. Skimping On Material Cost

There is a huge selection of materials out there to use to install a new roof with a wide range of prices.

You may not be able to afford the highest costing materials; however, don’t settle for the least expensive either.

In terms of roof materials, you definitely get what you pay for.

Installing a roof using cheaper materials with a short life expectancy is a waste of money when compared to the added cost of better materials that will last exponentially longer if well maintained.

5. Not Looking At the Fine Print

Roofing estimates and warranties from roofing services can be complicated, so it’s essential to read them over carefully and understand what you are and are not getting.

Have estimates provided by potential roofers spelled out in detail to include materials and labor, cleanup and disposal costs, as well as any other warranted fees you may be charged.

A warranty should be written in plain language and include details about manufacturer’s warranties, contractor warranties, how they apply, and who pays for what under which conditions.

Know ahead of time your recourse if there is a problem with the roof materials or workmanship, what it will take to resolve it, and what you might do to void the warranty.

Avoid Common Mistakes To Get A Quality Roof

Replacing your roof requires a lot of forethought and research to choose a roofing service that will do a superior job on your roof.

Before you call any roofing service, consider how to avoid these critical mistakes to be certain of getting your money’s worth and a long-lasting, trouble-free roof!

Need A Roof Replacement?

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