Why High-Performance Underlayment Is Essential For Any Roof
Florida is no stranger to severe storms. Beautiful beach days can quickly turn into brutal tropical storms in a matter of moments. Ensuring your home, business, or other property is capable of withstanding the worst mother nature has to throw at us is no easy task, but the right building materials can make surviving a storm that much easier. When preparing for Florida’s worst, there is no substitute for high performance underlayment.
What Is A High Performance Underlayment?
Let’s break the question of “what is high performance underlayments” into its two topics, starting with “what are underlayments?”
Simply put, an underlayment is any material that is installed between the frame of your roof and the top layer of roof covering (Shingles, Tile, Metal, etc.). The primary function of an underlayment is to prevent water from entering your home, which can cause water damage or even mold,
High perfomance underlayments are thick self-adhered membranes that are applied to the roof deck and create a shield that water simply cannot penetrate. These membranes are usually made of a modified asphalt layer that can be combined with either fiberglass or polyester to gain additional benefits.
What Are The Benefits Of High Performance Underlayments?
Now that you know what high performance underlayments are, you may be wondering what the benefits are and why you should be considering it for your roof.
Increased Waterproofing
A common misconception is that your roof’s shingles are all the waterproofing your roof needs.
While shingles are water resistant, they aren’t strictly waterproof. When storms are strong enough, high wind speeds can play havoc on your roof, exerting enough force on your shingles to lift them, while accelerating rain to a point where water can make its way between the shingles into your roof. Constant and long periods of rain can cause water to soak past your shingles into your roof deck, even in the absence of strong winds.
This is where underlayment shines. As a functionally single layer, it acts as an additional waterproof layer, with no seams or weak points for water ingress, and being self-adhesive, has enough mechanical strength to stick to your roof deck, long after your shingles may have failed. This ensures that not even the roughest storms can defeat your roof.
Mold Prevention
Some high performance underlayments are breathable and allow condensation and humidity to escape while keeping the water out. Older underlayment techniques, such as asphalt felt, achieved waterproof properties by creating a solid barrier that not even water vapor could escape.
When water vapors get trapped, it creates the ideal breeding ground for roof mold, which can cause serious health issues for occupants, and weaken the integrity of your roof’s structure.
Superior Wind Resistance
Just as we previously mentioned, because underlayments are self-adhered, every point of underlayment is making a contact to your roof deck, making an incredibly strong bond that will continue to hold even when exposed to direct wind.
Suitable For A Variety Of Roof Styles And Finishes
Underlayments can be trimmed and shaped to fit any roof, no matter how complex the design or how steep the slope. As long as there is a roof deck, it can be attached. Shingles, tiles, and metal panels can now all have top-tier waterproofing characteristics when combined with high performance underlayment.
Can Be Left Exposed
We all know the stress of trying to get a roofer in after a big storm to replace shingles, especially if the threat of high UV exposure or another storm is on the horizon. While not ideal, self-adhered underlayments are strong enough to withstand direct exposure to sun, rain, and wind for up to six months. Giving you peace of mind that your roof is protected no matter the circumstances.
Are All Underlayments Equal?
While all self-adhesive water barrier underlayments share similar properties such as being waterproof and wind-resistant, some are better than others. Tag & Sticks synthetic high performance underlayment is a two-layer, single-step installation solution.
At twice the thickness of competitors, with half the effort to install, it offers superior protection, while lowering your liability as roofers have to spend less time on your property installing it. Your liability is even less as heavy tools such as tar mops and blow torches aren’t required when completing installation.
The Best High Performance Underlayment For South Florida Roofs
Too many roofing contractors and owners alike have underestimated how important it is to opt for high-quality underlayment for new roofs. This hidden layer plays a critical role in protecting your home from the elements, extending the lifespan of your roof system, and providing peace of mind during harsh weather conditions. By investing in Tag & Stick’s 2-ply modified underlayment with mechanical attachment, you’re making a wise decision that safeguards your biggest investment – your home.
Roofs don’t rest, and neither do we! Don’t wait until hurricane season to inspect your roof. Call us today at 954-255-3107 to speak with a roofing and underlayment expert.