What Is Your Roof’s Underlayment and Why Do You Need It?

When it comes to their roof, many homeowners often only prioritize the visible components – the shingles, gutters and flashing. However, there’s more to it than what you see on the surface. One of the most important parts of your roofing system is the underlayment. It may not be visible, but it plays a major role in the health and stability of your roof. 

What Is the Importance of the Underlayment?

The underlayment is a water-resistant material installed on top of your roof’s decking before all the other materials and components like the shingles and flashings are laid. It serves as an additional layer of protection from water and moisture from penetrating the deck. This prevents wood rot, attic leaks and mold growth. 

Moreover, the underlayment also acts as the last line of defense when shingles are blown off during severe weather. The protective layer ensures your home is dry until your roofer can replace the missing shingles.

What Are the Three Types of Underlayment?

There are three types of underlayment available on the market. These are:

• Asphalt-saturated underlayment, which is made of felt paper saturated with asphalt. Although this type of underlayment is not as popular as in the past, it’s still reliable, flexible and water-resistant. It’s also the most affordable type out of the three. 
• Non-bitumen synthetic underlayment, which is the most common type of underlayment used among roofing contractors. It has the same qualities as asphalt-saturated, but with better resistance. It’s also a cost-effective choice for most homeowners as it can be applied to the entire roof.
• Rubberized asphalt, which is the premium type of roof underlayment. It has all the protective capabilities of the previous two, but thanks to its higher percentage of asphalt and rubber polymer, it’s completely waterproof. It has a sticky back side with a protective membrane, which creates a “natural” waterproof seal between the underlayment and roof deck. 

When you need a new roof, you can turn to the roofing contractors at Krech Exteriors. As a GAF Master Elite® roofer, we offer the highest quality roofing materials with the strongest product warranties in the industry. The roofing systems we install are complete with all the necessary components that help enhance your home’s resistance to the local climate, including the underlayment.

To learn more about the products we offer or request an estimate, give us a call at (651) 688-6368, or fill out our online contact form.