When it comes to protecting your Southern Ohio home from unpredictable weather conditions, the layers beneath your visible roofing materials matter just as much as the shingles themselves. Roof underlayment serves as a critical secondary moisture barrier, providing essential protection against water infiltration when primary roofing materials fail or become damaged. Among the various underlayment options available today, traditional felt underlayment continues to be a consideration for many homeowners and contractors.
Felt roof underlayment, also known as tar paper or asphalt-saturated felt, has been used in residential roofing for over a century. Despite the introduction of newer synthetic alternatives, many roofers still value felt for specific applications. The material comes in different weights, typically #15 and #30, each offering varying levels of protection and durability for different roofing needs.
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of felt underlayment compared to synthetic options is essential for making informed roofing decisions. Weather resistance, installation requirements, cost effectiveness, and longevity all factor into choosing the right underlayment for your roof. The right choice depends on your specific roofing system, local climate conditions, and project budget.
Traditional Felt Underlayment: What Makes It a Time-Tested Solution
Traditional felt underlayment has earned its reputation through decades of reliable performance in diverse weather conditions, including those we experience in Southern Ohio. This asphalt-saturated felt consists of organic materials (typically cellulose fibers or recycled paper products) that are thoroughly saturated with asphalt to create a water-resistant barrier. This composition allows felt to adapt to our region’s humidity in summer and frigid temperatures in winter.
Installing felt underlayment follows a straightforward process that works well with various roofing materials common in our area. Roofers typically roll out the material horizontally across the roof deck, overlapping each sheet by 2 to 4 inches to create a continuous protective layer. For steeper roofs, #30 felt provides enhanced durability and tear resistance compared to the lighter #15 variants.
The natural composition of felt offers additional benefits beyond water resistance. It breathes well, allowing trapped moisture to escape rather than condensing in your attic space. This characteristic is particularly valuable in Southern Ohio’s seasonal transitions when temperature fluctuations can create condensation issues. Felt also integrates seamlessly with traditional flashing methods and provides good traction for installers working on sloped surfaces, contributing to workplace safety during installation.
The Advantages of Choosing Felt Underlayment for Your Roof
For budget-conscious homeowners in Southern Ohio, felt underlayment offers significant economic benefits compared to synthetic alternatives. The initial investment is typically lower, making it an attractive option for those working with tight renovation budgets. While the exact savings vary by the size of the project, the difference can be substantial enough to allocate funds to other important roofing components, like quality flashing or superior shingles.
Perhaps the most underappreciated benefit of felt underlayment is its superior breathability. Unlike some synthetic options that trap moisture, traditional asphalt-saturated felt allows water vapor to escape from your home. This natural ventilation capacity is particularly valuable in Ohio’s climate, where seasonal humidity fluctuations can create serious moisture issues in poorly ventilated attics. By allowing your roofing system to breathe, felt underlayment helps prevent condensation that can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and insulation damage.
The #30 felt option provides enhanced protection for homes in areas exposed to severe weather, offering nearly twice the thickness and durability of #15 felt. This heavier option stands up better to Ohio’s occasional severe storms and provides additional protection if your primary roofing materials become compromised.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider with Felt Underlayment
While felt underlayment has served the roofing industry reliably for decades, Southern Ohio homeowners should be aware of several limitations before making their final decision. One primary concern is durability during installation. Felt underlayment can tear relatively easily when walked on or during windy conditions, creating vulnerable spots in your roof’s water barrier. For homes in our region that experience both summer storms and winter precipitation, these tears can become problematic entry points for moisture.
The material also faces limitations when it comes to exposure. Traditional felt shouldn’t remain exposed to the elements for extended periods. In Southern Ohio’s unpredictable weather patterns, this can create scheduling challenges if installation delays occur. Most manufacturers recommend covering felt within days of installation, unlike synthetic alternatives that can withstand weeks of exposure. Additionally, felt’s ability to perform well is reduced in extreme temperature fluctuations that our region experiences from summer to winter.
Weight and handling issues also deserve attention. When dry, felt underlayment is reasonably lightweight, but it becomes significantly heavier when wet, making installation more difficult during damp conditions. Storage is another challenge, as felt rolls must be kept dry before installation. For larger Southern Ohio roofing projects, this means carefully coordinating material delivery and providing proper on-site protection from moisture, which adds complexity compared to the more weather-resistant synthetic alternatives available today.
#15 vs. #30 Felt: Choosing the Right Weight for Your Project
When selecting felt underlayment for your Southern Ohio home, understanding the difference between #15 and #30 felt can significantly impact your roof’s performance and longevity. The numbers refer to the approximate weight of the material per 100 square feet, with #15 weighing about 7 to 12 pounds and #30 weighing approximately 12 to 27 pounds. This weight difference translates directly to thickness and durability.
Felt with the weight of #15 is the lighter option, typically measuring about 7 to 8 mils thick. It’s generally suitable for homes with steeper roof pitches (6:12 or greater), which are common for Colonial and Victorian-style homes throughout Southern Ohio. The steeper pitch allows for quick water runoff, reducing the demand on the underlayment. For more modest pitches (4:12 to 6:12) found in many ranch-style homes, #30 felt provides better protection with its 15 to 16 mil thickness and enhanced tear resistance.
Climate considerations play a crucial role in this decision. Southern Ohio’s weather patterns, including heavy spring rains and winter snow loads, demand reliable protection. While #15 underlayment might save money upfront, #30 underlayment typically offers 25% to 30% longer lifespan and superior resistance to Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles. For homes with longer anticipated roof life or more complex architectural details like dormers or valleys where water concentration occurs, the additional investment in #30 felt typically pays off through enhanced protection and reduced risk of premature failure.
Felt vs. Synthetic Underlayment: Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Choosing between felt and synthetic underlayment represents a critical decision for Southern Ohio homeowners planning a roofing project. Both options offer distinct advantages that must be weighed against the specific needs of your home and local weather conditions. Understanding these differences helps ensure your roofing system provides optimal protection against Ohio’s weather patterns.
Weather resistance remains a primary consideration for Ohio homes. While traditional felt underlayment absorbs up to 20% of its weight in water, synthetic options offer superior moisture resistance during heavy rains and snow melt common in our region. Synthetic underlayment typically withstands exposure to the elements for 3 to 6 months without breaking down, compared to felt’s 14 to 30 day limit. This extended amount of exposure provides valuable flexibility during unpredictable weather delays that can affect roofing schedules.
Installation differences also impact your project timeline and effectiveness. Synthetic underlayment rolls cover approximately 10 squares of roof surface area (1 roofing square = 100 square feet), while felt typically covers only 4 squares per roll, requiring more material handling and seams. Additionally, synthetic materials remain stable in temperature extremes, maintaining their integrity during both summer heat and winter frost. Meanwhile, felt becomes brittle in cold Ohio winters and may wrinkle during hot, humid summers.
Making Your Final Decision: Is Felt Underlayment Right for Your Southern Ohio Home?
Deciding on the right underlayment for your roof requires careful consideration of several factors specific to your situation. For many Southern Ohio homeowners, felt underlayment makes the most sense when working within tighter budget constraints. If your roofing project needs completion quickly, the lower material cost and widespread availability of felt underlayment can be advantageous. Homes with steeper pitches also benefit from felt’s excellent grip, making installation safer and more effective.
Local climate considerations should influence your decision as well. If your home has proper attic ventilation, felt’s breathability works well with seasonal humidity changes. However, for low-slope roofs or areas with extended exposure to harsh weather, synthetic alternatives might provide better long-term protection despite higher initial costs.
When consulting with roofing contractors, ask specific questions about underlayment recommendations for your particular roof. Ask about their experience with both materials in Southern Ohio weather conditions, the installation techniques they use to maximize felt performance, and how they address potential vulnerabilities around penetrations and valleys. Regardless of which underlayment you choose, proper installation remains crucial. Ensure your contractor follows manufacturer guidelines for nail patterns, overlap requirements, and sealing methods to maximize the effectiveness of your underlayment system and extend the life of your entire roof.
Ensure Your Roof’s Longevity with Elite Roofing & Construction
Understanding the pros and cons of felt roof underlayment is crucial for any roofing project, especially in the diverse climates of Southern Ohio. If you’re weighing the options between traditional and synthetic underlayment, Elite Roofing & Construction can guide you through the best choices for your home. Felt underlayment has stood the test of time, offering a cost-effective solution with adequate protection against moisture. However, considering its susceptibility to tear during installation and its performance under extreme weather, consulting with professionals becomes essential.
At Elite Roofing & Construction, we specialize in providing top-tier roofing solutions that cater to the specific needs of your home. Whether you’re deciding on the right underlayment weight or need advice on installation best practices, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t compromise on the safety and durability of your roof. Call us today at (937) 500-7663 and ensure your roof underlayment is installed perfectly to withstand Ohio’s challenging weather conditions.