Is roof felting really necessary? If you are starting a roofing project, you might be asking yourself that question. Many national roofing organizations recommend that you use felting for your project. In most cases, roof felting is a requirement for building codes. With this helpful article, you can understand the purpose of felting or synthetic paper for your roof.
What Is Roof Felting?
Some reputable roofing companies might call this material felt underlayment, roll roofing, or roofing tar paper. This layer of protection is installed between the shingles and roofing deck.
The roof felting contains a base made from natural materials, such as wood cellulose. Some types of roof felting use synthetic polyester or fiberglass for the base. The felt is saturated with a protective coating of asphalt, which can help to repel water. In addition to that, the layer allows the felting to breathe.
Do You Need Roof Felting Paper?
Many licensed roofing companies recommend that you use this felting paper for your project. When there is an additional layer of protection between the roof decking and the shingles, you will have a longer-lasting roof on your home. On top of that, the felting not only protects your roof but can help to stop damage to your home.
Stops Water Seepage
Roof felting paper is a great water repellant. Throughout the year, snow or rain can trap water under your shingles. With that, your roof deck is at risk for moisture damage, wood rot, and mold development. Roof felting helps strain the water off your roof so that you don’t have to worry about seepage into your home.
Provides Extra Protection
This felting is another layer of protection for those vulnerable areas. In colder climates, snow dams and ice can cause significant damage to a home. Once that water melts, it can seep into the interior of your home, causing damage to the insulation, ceilings, and walls. You can prevent damage by installing felting paper. It provides a significant layer of water and ice protection that seals around roof fasteners and other parts of your roof. With that, your roof has an extra layer of protection from water and ice.
Shingles are another spot where your roof can suffer some damage. With this felting, you have some extra protection. Roof felting can extend the life of your roofing deck. If the weather loosens some of your shingles, that roof felting continues to protect the wooden deck from rain or snow. However, don’t allow damaged shingles to remain on your roof. You want to repair them as soon as possible.
Maintains Fire Resistance
If you want to protect your home from fires, it could be a good idea to use roof felting in combination with Class A shingles. These rating tests are conducted with the underlayment in place. If you skip the felting paper, even the highest-rated shingles could lose some of their fire resistance. You want to choose a felting underlayment that meets all of the existing building codes in your community. In some places, you will need to install roof felting to meet those local ordinances.
Protects Your Roofing Deck
When you have a team working on your roof, you want to ensure the whole structure is protected from rain or snow. It can take days to install shingles on a roof. With roof felting, it protects the wooden deck from exposure to the elements.
Along with that, roof felting can help prevent wood stains from damaging your shingles. Some types of wood can leach tiny amounts of resin over the years. As a result, your roof shingles can become stained. With roof felting, it blocks all those resins from reaching the surface of your shingles.
Improves Uniformity and Appearance
Most roofs do not lie flat or straight. In many cases, the roofing layer can provide an even surface for the installation of the shingles. This felting can prevent something known as picture framing. That effect occurs when the wood decking can be seen through your shingles, creating an uneven appearance.
When Should You Use Roof Felting?
It doesn’t matter what type of shingles you plan to use. For any project, you need to have underlayment.
Over the years, there were two types of standard weights for the paper: 15 pounds per hundred square feet and 30 pounds per hundred square feet. The 15-pound paper was used for lighter projects, while the 30 provided more heavy-duty protection. Today, those weights have changed, but many contractors still refer to the paper by those categories.
How Much Roof Felting To Use?
This type of roof felting is sold in a rolled form. You can look on the product label to find all of the information for your project. If you divide the roof area by the number of felting rolls, you can find the right amount of material for the roofing job. However, always add about 10 percent to your total to make up for paper that could be wasted in the project.
Always Use Roof Felting
As you can tell, roof felting plays a vital role in the safety and health of your structure. It can help keep out moisture and provide a barrier between the roof and the rest of your home. In some communities, you will be required to use this felting for your roofing project. It is always a good idea to use this felting for your roof. Along with the other benefits, it will give you some peace of mind that your home will remain safe from unnecessary and preventable damage.
Choose the Right Licensed Roofing Company
No matter the roofing job, we can help you choose the proper underlayment for the project. At RGB Construction, we understand that your home and roof should be protected throughout the years. Our team will find the right products that keep your structure safe and secure. Whether you need to fix damaged shingles or want a new installation, RGB Construction is ready to help. You can schedule a consultation by calling us at 856-264-9093.
