Table of Contents
Why Roofing Felt?
It acts as a barrier between the effects of weather elements and your entire roof deck by preventing water from getting in. It’s installed directly onto the roof decking. Roofing felt paper is made from a natural base layer of materials, primarily wood cellulose or polyester/fiberglass. As soon as it has been established, it is coated with a protective layer of asphalt called bitumen.
Is roofing felt waterproof? Not entirely. This layering process makes the underlayment water-resistant but does not completely waterproof it.
Water-resistant roofing felt acts as a barrier between your domestic roof decking and the elements by protecting it from water damage. It is applied directly onto the deck, usually with tar or asphalt, to provide an additional layer of protection from external conditions.
The choice of roofing material is generally made of wood cellulose or polyester/fiberglass as its base layer. This natural foundation is coated with bitumen, an asphalt sealant that provides an additional protective waterproof coating.
It’s important to note that while roofing felt can provide exceptional protection against the elements and specific amounts of moisture, it isn’t wholly waterproof by itself. So while it will help protect your entire roof deck from water damage, such as minor leaks and excess moisture, you may need additional roofing materials like shingle Roof Felt or flashing to ensure your investment remains in top condition for years to come. A synthetic roof underlayment provides an exceptional protection level.
What is Roof Felt Used For?
Your home’s roofing system protects you and your loved ones from all the elements:
- Snowfall
- Rainfall
- Scorching Sunshine
- Windstorm Damage
- Other Forms of Extreme Weather
They also protect all our belongings—everything we house in our homes, from furniture to books to appliances like the TV and washer/dryer.
In a genuine sense, slate roofs allow us to live our lives inside. A form of roofing is a relevant aspect of our lives, and we must understand it better. You probably didn’t know that your sloped roof consists of more than just shingles. In fact, the underlying layer beneath your shingles, known as roofing felt, roofing paper, or underlayment, plays a significant role in the proper function of your domestic roof.
Roofing felt is an essential part of the roofing system installed in homes. As a barrier between the shingles and the underlying structure of your home, the felt paper serves as a protective layer. Weather-related damage can be prevented by protecting it from moisture, mold, and other types of decay.
Without an adequately sealed layer of roofing felt beneath the shingles, your roof would be vulnerable to water damage and other dangerous entities that could cause extensive problems for your property. Roofing felt gives us extra protection for our low-slope roofs against all sorts of obstructions, making it possible to preserve the interior and exterior integrity of our homes.
It’s important to remember that while roofing felt is usually found to spread between two layers of shingle material, it can also be helpful when it comes to replacing just one shingle on its own. Specialty roof adhesive can be used on any area where individual tiles have been removed or added with additional materials such as tar paper or roll roofs installed under the new tiles before they are laid down.
This will reduce any potential shifts in position due to heavy winds or hail storms that could cause further damage. The Innercity Roofers Company knows how crucial your domestic roof maintenance is and how utilizing products like roofing felt can help alleviate many homeowners’ issues.
The roofing felt underlay is not always considered a necessary component of your roofing system, yet, it acts as a moisture barrier from rain and other types of weather. The first line of defense against the elements is the roof’s shingles, but they can’t always keep everything out.
In contrast to asphalt shingles, these are not sealed at the corners and overlap one another. It is possible for water to seep into your home through weak areas on your roof structure if a strong wind is blowing during a rainstorm. A house’s shingles will also become brittle as they age, making them less effective at protecting your home. That’s why another layer of protection from roofing felt underneath is vital.
Those who live in snow and ice-prone areas should consider installing the roofing felt, which prevents roof decks from becoming saturated with water after ice dams form. Without roofing felt, water buildup would seriously damage a concrete tile roof, especially for low-pitch roof coverings.
Roofing felt, also known as tar paper, is a layer of protective material used in different roofing system types. It is a moisture barrier between the effects of weather elements outside and your home’s interior. This can help to prevent leaking during heavy rain and protection against ice dams during winter months.
The primary benefit of adding roofing felt is that it prevents water from seeping into your home due to any imperfections in your shingles or if they become brittle and less able to protect your house over time. Roofing felt also helps bridge the gaps between overlapping shingles.
This further protects against possible water damage through existing weak spots in the roof and helps secure everything down more firmly overall. All these minor issues caught early prevent more significant problems later on, which cost much more money, making roof felt an intelligent investment for homeowners.
Different Types of Roofing Felt
As it happens, there are a few different roofing waterproof roofing underlayment options you can consider, some of which aren’t even made of felt. Some are easier to install than others.
The often referenced as standard black felt roofing paper, traditional, asphalt-saturated, and most commonly used in residential housing projects, comes with the following:
- Two Levels of Thickness:
- 15 lb and 30 lb
- Combination Wood Structural Panel
- Underlayment
The panels have a moisture-resistant barrier built in and are made from the wood structural sheathing. Providing a two-in-one solution, it is becoming increasingly popular.
Synthetic: Synthetic roof underlayment offers better water resistance than standard felt underlays and is UV-, insect-, and rot/fungus-resistant as well. This option is a little more pricy than traditional felt.
Peel-and-Stick Materials: This type of roof waterproof roofing underlayment has a peel-and-stick back that allows for painless roofing felt installation. These are more commonly used in areas that have a limited amount of precipitation or snowfall.
Roofing Felt: 15 lb vs. 30 lb
Two different grades of roofing felt have been used throughout the history of roofing. These two are classified by:
- Weight:
- 15 pounds per hundred square feet
- 30 pounds per hundred square feet
- The 15 lb felt was typically used on lighter projects
- The 30 lb felt was put on more heavy-duty tasks
While the actual weights of the felt types have changed, the categories and their benefits remain the same. Both present slight problems since they can tear quickly, though you will have more difficulty with that in the 15 lb over the 30 lb. The heavier weight is typically used in areas with inclement weather.
Roofing felt is used to provide a layer of protection between the shingles and the decking on a roof.
Both types of roofing felts present slight problems because they can tear pretty easily; yet, you will have more difficulty with tears from using 15 lb roofing felt than from using 30 lb roofing felt. This is why it’s relevant to consider each type’s different benefits and drawbacks when selecting which one is best for your project. Ultimately, this decision should be based on the nature of your project and where it is being placed for maximum results that won’t compromise or put your home or building at risk.
Our roofers have experience with various kinds of roofs, like:
- Church Roofs
- Green Roofs
- Hip Roofs
- Mansard Roofs
- Metal Roofs
- Sheet Metal
- Solar Shingles
- Slate Roofs
- Gabled Roofs
- Glass Roof
- Asbestos Roofs
- Concrete Roof Tiles
- Conventional Roofs
- Flat Roof Membrane
- Modern Roofs
- Commercial Roofing
- Copper Roofing
- Corrugated Steel
What Are The Types of Roofing Underlayment?
There are three main types of roof underlayment used under roof materials and available for homeowners looking to install or replace their roofs:
- Asphalt-Saturated Felt
- Non-Bitumen Synthetic Underlayment
- Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment
- Built-Up Roof Membranes
Asphalt-saturated felt, and synthetic underlayment are water-resistant. Rubberized asphalt underlayment is waterproof.
Roofing underlayment provides an extra layer of protection between the roof deck and the standard roofing material in any roofing system.
Asphalt-saturated felt is one of the most traditional types of roofing underlayment, made from organic materials such as cellulose fibers and asphalt paper coated. As a result of its water resistance and excellent moisture resistance, this underlayment provides excellent protection against moisture, but it may not withstand extreme weather conditions very well.
In contrast, non-bitumen synthetic roofing underlayment, or “synthetic underlayment,” is made from polypropylene or polyester reinforced with fiberglass. It is more durable than traditional felt and provides better resistance to UV light and high building temperatures. Synthetic underlayment also comes in different grades, depending on the expected exposure level to weather elements during installation.
Finally, rubberized asphalt underlayment is a modern alternative offering a higher degree of waterproofing than other roofing underpayments. This blend of asphalts, synthetic rubber polymers, and fillers is often called ice and water shield or peel-and-stick rubberized asphalt membrane underlayment. With this combination of materials, a rugged yet flexible surface that is impervious to water and wind is created.
Roofing professionals commonly use three types of underlayment when it comes to roofing. These include:
- Asphalt-Saturated Felt
- Non-Bitumen Synthetic Underlayment
- Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment
Asphalt-saturated felt is a tried and tested material that has been in use for many years. It is made from organic or fiberglass material treated with asphalt to create a water-resistant barrier between the roof deck and the shingles. The felt paper comes in rolls and is easy to cut and install. However, it is susceptible to tearing when exposed to wind, compromising its effectiveness.
Non-bitumen synthetic underlayment, on the other hand, is a newer option that offers several advantages over traditional felt paper. Made from polymers or fiberglass coated with a blend of polypropylene or polyester fabric, synthetic underlayment provides better resistance against tearing and wrinkling during installation. It’s also lighter than felt paper and less prone to absorbing moisture, making it less prone to mold growth. Rubberized asphalt underlayment is another option that provides superior waterproofing performance by adding rubber polymers to the mix. This type of underlayment can be used in high-stress areas such as valleys and eaves that receive the most moisture damage.
Get Your Asphalt Roofing Felt Installed with Innercity Roofers Company
Contact us at Innercity Roofers Co. with any questions regarding roofing felt! If you have an HOA to get approval from, we can ensure we comply with your new roof. We’re roofing experts with many years of experience, and we extend our offer to help.
Are you planning a roof over your head and want to install asphalt roofing felt? Look no further, as Innercity Roofers Company is here to help. They are experienced professionals in the industry who offer residential and commercial services for all your roofing needs.
With their quality installation and products, you can be confident that your roof will sustain any weather conditions – giving you peace of mind for years to come. And if you have an HOA (Home Owner Association) involved in your roofing process, Innercity Roofers Co. has you taken care of there, too; they will make sure they’re compliant with all regulations, so you don’t have to worry about getting into legal trouble.
At Innercity Roofers Company, we also provide comprehensive customer service-including consulting every step of the way and answering any questions or concerns regarding anything asphalt roofing related. So what’re you waiting for? Contact us today and get on the road toward getting a well-crafted roof structure with our respected company.
