How much do roof underlayments cost?
A sturdy and reliable roof is uncompromisable for any homeowner, but do you know what it takes to make a roof that can stand through the year-round ferocious weather conditions?
When it comes to roofing, there is so much more to it than what meets the eye. Roofing underlayments are installed on your roof deck as the last resort to protect your house from precipitation and leakages.
There are a couple of variations to roofing underlayments, each type having its distinct benefits and purposes.
Felt underlayment
When it comes to roofing underlayments, felt has been the go-to option for a very long time, partly because of its affordability. However, it is now being superseded by other kinds.
Felt underlayments strengthen the roofing material on top, providing a sturdy roof. However, felt underlayment roofings are prone to moisture and can also be deteriorated by intense UV exposure.
Costing around $5 per square foot, it is a cost-effective option.
To conclude, felt underlayments remain to be the conventional choice among homeowners providing good utility. However, if you have a flexible budget, you can get more value from other types.
Synthetic underlayments
For the past few years, synthetic underlayments have been getting very popular among homeowners. The popularity shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the durability and versatility they offer.
Unlike felt underlayments, they are designed to be lightweight. After all, you don’t want to put excess weight on your roof.
On the flip side, one major downside to synthetic underlayments is their cost. On top of that, it is pretty challenging to install synthetic underlayment roofing, and it takes way more time.
The average cost of synthetic underlayment lies around $10 per square foot. That’s almost twice the cost of felt underlayments, but considering the value synthetic underlayments provide, the price is well justified.
Peel and stick
A self-adhesive underlayment, optimum for hot and humid weather conditions. Made up of rubberized polymers, “peel and stick” underlayments are flexible and provide more resistance against harsh weather conditions.
Installing “peel and stick” underlayments do not require nailing individual patches and gluing them to the roof. Thanks to the adhesives, the underlayment sticks to the roof itself.
Also, peel and stick underlayments are designed to be wrinkleless. Thus rainwater drains quickly and does not get trapped. In regions like Florida, building codes might require you to have a peel and stick underlayment roofing to claim insurance.
The overall cost of a peel and stick underlayment varies considerably based on a couple of factors. Still, there are almost no installation charges to them compared to synthetic or felt underlayments.
Ice and water shield
Also referred to as an ice and water protector, it is also a self-adhesive underlayment roofing. The ice and water shield is specifically designed to provide maximum protection from precipitation and moisture.
For colder regions, ice and water shields are crucial for protecting against ice dams. Moreover, hurricanes and thunderstorms with precipitation prove catastrophic for most roofing underlayments. Whereas with the ice and water shield, you are protected from all such dangers.
However, it is pretty expensive to belong to the higher tier underlayment type than the other options. For regions that face unusual precipitation levels yearly, the ice and water shield is worth investing in.
Why are roofing underlayments important?
It might seem irrelevant to put a second layer of roofing under shingles, but underlayments serve a crucial purpose.
Roof shingles are not fully equipped to withstand the wrath of extreme weather conditions; they are not sealed and can be lifted by strong winds.
This is where a roofing underlayment comes in, acting as the second line of defense underlayments protect your roof from moisture and keeps it intact in case of strong winds.
Unlike shingles, underlayments are installed side by side, so there’s no overlapping. This guarantees a sturdy and impenetrable roof.
Moreover, having underlayments installed on your roof increases the value of your real estate. After all, everyone wishes to have a reliable roof over their head.
How roofing underlayment works
All roofing underlayments follow the same fundamentals. Underlayments are placed under the actual roofing material.
Where older roofing underlayment models like the felt require to be nailed to the roof. Meanwhile, some self-adhesive roof underlays do not require nailing. The sheets have solid adhesive material on one side and will stick to the decking itself.
You must get your roofing done by professionals as even the slightest error can set your roof for failure in the long run.
Underlayments are made up of water-resistant material and act as a seal for your roof, water and moisture cannot seep through it, and thus, your actual roof stays unaffected.
Bottom line
Roofing underlayments are unnecessary, but this one-time investment can save you from so much hassle in the long run.
Your roof might be pretty robust with any shingle covering, but ask yourself, is it strong enough? Getting a roofing underlayment is the best you can do for your real estate.
Find out which type suits your needs and go for it. After all, it is better to invest in your roof now than after it gets ruined by a hurricane.
Contact ProTek Roofing, Heating & Air to learn more about our roofing services!
