As a homeowner, you will need to eventually contact a residential roofing service. Your roof will have issues due to weather, temperature changes, and even basic aging of the materials. These issues can lead to repairs, but eventually, they will lead to the need for a full roof replacement. One of the key components of this replacement is the underlayment you choose. Here are a few of the underlayment options available to you and why they matter to the life of your roof.
Materials
The material used for the underlayment is important for determining the right option for you. The material you choose will likely be either synthetic, felt, or an adhesive option. Each of these options will give you different benefits depending on your environment and your roofing type. For example, a felt or tar paper underlayment is the most common option you will see. This option is durable, works on most projects, and is easy to find and purchase. It will hold up to various weather conditions.
Water Protection
One of the leading things to keep in mind about choosing the right underlayment deals with water protection. The entire reason for using underlayment is to protect your roof deck from water in all its forms. Keep in mind, you are not just protecting your roof deck from rain. You are also protecting the roof from ice and snow. The ice can melt and move into small gaps in the roof. This leads to water damage. If the ice refreezes, it can form gaps as the water expands from liquid to ice and cause damage to the roof deck. If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains, you may want to choose an underlayment that provides protection against water intrusion. However, if you are in an area prone to ice and snow, a more durable underlayment material may be necessary.
Reduced Warping
An underlayment does not just help maintain a barrier between water and the roof deck. The underlayment also provides a barrier to humidity that can cause water damage and warping of the roof. By decreasing the amount of humidity that can build up between the shingles and the roof deck, you are also ensuring a reduction in warping and the need to have repairs to that portion of the roof.
For more information about choosing a roofing underlayment, reach out to a roofing contractor near you.