Synthetic Underlayment Performance: Fact or Fiction – Part 1

May 10, 2013 at 22:30

Tony Chalupnik

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Synthetic Underlayment Performance:
Fact or Fiction Part 1

I read an article about synthetic underlayments recently and the author was discussing the introduction of new underlayment products entering the marketplace in recent years.  I was interested in his opinion because he is a prominent contributor/author in one of my favorite Roofing Magazines, Western Roofing.  His comments about the advent of new and innovative alternatives, to traditional, (Organic) Asphalt and Paper, “black” underlayments were interesting.  “Black” underlayments have a consistent track record and certain ASTM standards in place to specify a quality, or at least minimal manufacturing standard.  When his discussion moved to the lack of testing and performance requirements for synthetic underlayments, this piqued my interest.

I have been marketing synthetic underlayments in the Southwest US since 2002. With over 13 years under my belt, I’ve witnessed first hand that some of these synthetic “felts”(sic) perform admirably, yet others failed miserably when the heavy rains came down and intense UV sunshine broke down the dimensional stability of the product.  With so many synthetics on the market and no real standard to compare one from another, this begs the question; Is there any agency or testing body willing to call these manufacturers to a quality manufacturing standard?  After waiting for over 13 years, I’m still waiting!

Most of what I read and hear is dialog about helping provide information to, “better understand the various roles that an underlayment will need to play in a given roofing system.”  That sounds nice and all, but addresses nothing definitive about the virtues and/or drawbacks of synthetic underlayments versus “Black” felts.  Plus, it does not answer the critical question: Which synthetic underlayments are performing well on a consistent basis in various regions of the country, which are not, and why?

In my opinion, I believe a reliable synthetic will outperform asphalt based felt paper in a given application most of the time.  That is a fact backed up by many raving fans of synthetic underlayment I talk to on a daily basis.  Of course, the operative word is “Reliable Synthetic.”  How to find a “Reliable Synthetic” is the challenge I would like to address in this article.  

I speak with many contractors in the Southwestern US who think many, if not all synthetic underlayments are less reliable than “Black” felts because of problems they have experienced first hand using poorly produced synthetic.  I can understand why many contractors believe this, but when I hear a contractor tell me, all synthetics have problems, this is just not the case, and that is the fiction of synthetic underlayments.

Let’s talk about some pertinent facts:

1. Not all synthetic underlayments are created equal.
(Kind of goes without saying, but I want to get it out there first)

2. There are a small handful of synthetic underlayments on the market that have performed well for over a decade and do not have problems like leaks, UV fatigue, buckling, worm runs, insurance claims and/or resulting lawsuits.  Unfortunately, some manufacturers are shipping out lower quality products that have not been properly field tested and/or manufactured under strict quality standards.  If you are considering synthetic underlayment for an upcoming project, next week’s blog will list some prudent guidelines for selecting a trouble free product.

As a teaser for next week’s blog; Most of the failures I have witnessed in the past ten years involved poorly produced synthetic underlayments and/or less robust products applied under tile roofs. Tile roofing presents many challenges for synthetic underlayment and only a few manufacturers have what it takes to perform consistently.  For the sake of this conversation, I will be addressing tile applications. Comp and metal roofing applications tend to be more forgiving for synthetics and have not presented as many problems for contractors.  In addition, as I look around the Southwestern US, tile re-set jobs represent a tremendous opportunity for contractors to expand their business replacing burned out “Black” felts with a reliable synthetic alternative. These applications demand a heavier, well made product that can withstand the abuse and traffic of tile application.  

Join me for the conclusion in Part 2 the week of May 20th.

 Be sure to comment below or on our Facebook page, The Roofing Hub.

All the best,

 

Tony

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