Metal roofing systems are more complicated than many people realize. A metal roof is much more than just sheets of metal — your metal roof underlayment will play an essential role in keeping your roof dry and secure. In fact, making sure you choose the right type of underlayment for your metal roof is essential to its protection and longevity.
If you’re looking for the best metal roof underlayment for your home or commercial property, you’ve come to the right place. As your local roofing partner, PITCH Roofing is here to demystify all things roofing. Today, that means explaining everything you need to know about underlayments for metal roofs in Florida!
Why Do Metal Roofs Need Underlayments?
Traditionally, metal roof underlayments exist to protect against water damage in roofing systems that could otherwise be vulnerable. For example, they do essential work for tile roofs in keeping out water that is forced under the tiles by wind-driven rain. So why are they necessary for metal roofs?
While metal roofing sheets do a great job at keeping out rain, even during major storms, that isn’t the only way for water to penetrate your roofing system. For example, condensation can form on the inside of your metal panels, which would damage your roof decking without the proper underlayment.
Not all metal roof underlayments are created equal, though. In fact, which underlayment material you choose for your metal roof will have far-reaching effects on your roof’s performance across its lifetime. With that in mind, let’s talk about your different material options and how they perform!
The Best Types of Metal Roof Underlayments for Florida Roofs
Each climate has its own unique concerns, and that is especially true for metal roofs. Florida’s heat and humidity make a resilient, hardy metal roof underlayment essential for your roof’s protection. And when it comes to your underlayment material options, a few options stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Peel and Stick Underlayment
Peel and stick has many different names: self-adhering underlayment, ice and water barrier, etc. Regardless of what you call it, it’s all the same great protection. This metal roof underlayment is made of rubberized asphalt and self-adheres to create a watertight seal over your roof decking. Additionally, the flexible asphalt is capable of repelling water without cracking or buckling under the pressure.
Since these underlyaments stick easily to your roof, you can also expect a faster roof installation. This is not only convenient, but it helps keep your labor costs down. That’s important, because peel and stick is an expensive option for a metal roof underlayment. In fact, it comes with the highest material costs of your underlayment options: between $0.55 and $0.65 per square foot.
Even with these high material costs, though, many homeowners agree that this underlayment is worth the investment. As the only waterproof metal roof underlayment on the market, there is a lot to love about this material option!
Synthetic Underlayment
Unlike peel and stick, a synthetic underlayment is not rubberized. Instead, it’s made of either polyethylene or polypropylene, two types of synthetic plastic fibers. This is a relatively new roofing technology, but it’s already making waves across the roofing industry.
Because it’s made of plastic fibers, synthetic underlayment is highly resistant to tearing. As an added bonus, this metal roof underlayment does a great job of withstanding high temperatures, which means you don’t have to worry about your underlayment breaking down under the hot Florida sun.
While a synthetic roof underlayment is not 100% waterproof like peel and stick, it certainly comes very close. The plastic fibers naturally repel water, which keeps the water away from your decking until the vents in your roof have a chance to dissipate the water under your metal panels. And at a reasonable cost of $0.25 to $0.55 per square foot, this is a great, budget-friendly roofing option.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Felt Underlayment for a Metal Roof
If you’re familiar with common roof underlayment options, you may have noticed that there has been one important option missing from our list so far: felt. If you’ve ever had an asphalt shingle roof, you likely had a felt underlayment that held up well. But when looking for a metal roof underlayment, felt is one of the worst options you can pick.
This isn’t due to a problem with felt underlayments, but is instead caused by a normal function of metal roofs. As it gets hotter or colder, your metal roof will naturally expand and contract. As the metal sheets of your roof move, they will tear a felt underlayment to pieces. Then the next time water gets under your roof, your protection will already be severely damaged and incapable of keeping the water out.
So even though felt is technically the cheapest underlayment option on the market, we strongly discourage homeowners from choosing this option for a metal roof. With so many better options available to you, it’s best to leave felt underlayments to the shingle roofs!
Get a Free Metal Roofing Estimate with Your Preferred Underlayment
At the end of the day, both synthetic and peel and stick underlayments are great, hardy options. And no matter which ones you want as your metal roof underlayment, the professionals at PITCH Roofing will be able to help. If you’re ready to take the next step in the metal roofing process, it’s never been easier to get the ball rolling.
To get your free, no-obligation metal roofing estimate, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. One of our roofing experts will come to your home, inspect your roof, and talk with you about your roofing options. It’s at this time that you’ll be able to discuss your metal roof underlayment options and preferences.
Our professional roofing expert will then prepare a roofing estimate that’s tailored to your roof and your preferred underlayment. There’s no guesswork, no hidden fees, and no headaches! So when you’re in need of local roofing pros, don’t hesitate to reach out to PITCH Roofing. As veteran Florida roofers, nobody can protect your home and meet your needs like we can!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
