Tile roofing is quintessentially Florida. Depending on the type of tiles you choose, you’re looking at a roofing system that could last 50 to 100 years or more. But while your tiles enjoy the limelight, there’s an unsung hero of these roofs: the tile roof underlayment. Serving as a water-resistant barrier, this piece of the puzzle is just as important as your roofing tiles.
We’re PITCH Roofing, and as your local roofing partner, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about water-resistant underlayments for tile roofs. To get started, let’s talk a bit about what a tile roof underlayment is and why it matters.
What Is a Tile Roof Underlayment?
While there are many different types of roofing tiles, they all serve the same general function of guiding water off your roof. However, even the best roofing tiles can fail to catch every drop, especially during a tropical storm or hurricane where wind-driven rain can force itself under roofing tiles. This is where your tile roof underlayment comes in.
Your underlayment is a protective, secondary barrier that catches this water. Below it is your vulnerable roof decking, which can rot and weaken if exposed to moisture. Your water-resistant underlayment, on the other hand, should have no problem getting a little wet and continuing to protect your roof.
Per the Florida Building Code, every tile roof requires a tile roof underlayment. But there are several different types of underlayments to choose from, and picking the right one for your property is crucial to ensuring your home’s long-term protection.
Types of Tile Roof Underlayment
Tile roof underlayments come in several different makes. While nobody will see your underlayment, some of these options are better than others, especially in Florida’s challenging climate. Let’s take a closer look at each of these options and see which could be right for you.
Rubberized Asphalt
Also called peel and stick, rubberized asphalt tile roof underlayments are quick and easy to install. By combining the durability of asphalt with the water resistance of rubber, these underlayments are hardy enough to withstand anything that Florida weather can throw at them. There are downsides, though.
While they do a great job staying in place, peel and stick tile roof underlayments are almost impossible to remove. This creates a problem, because your underlayment won’t last as long as your tiles. So when you go to replace the underlayment, you may have to replace the decking as well if your contractors can’t remove the underlayment.
This is not only inefficient, but it will increase both the labor and material costs of replacing your tile roof underlayment. For this reason, most homeowners tend to pick another option for their tile roof underlayment.
Asphalt-saturated Felt
This is an old-school option for your tile roof underlayment. Made from organic felt soaked in asphalt, this creates an effective barrier that will protect your home’s decking. The cheap materials and simple installation mean that installing this tile roof underlayment is extremely affordable.
That said, you often get what you pay for. Asphalt-saturated felt is prone to tearing, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures and UV rays like we see in Florida. For this reason, this option often breaks down faster than other tile roof underlayment options.
Synthetic Underlayments
A synthetic tile roof underlayment has become the gold standard. This option is made from a unique blend of polypropylene fibers, making it extremely water resistant. They also come with the added benefit of being thin and lightweight, reducing the amount of stress put on your roof. This is especially useful for tile roofs, since tiles are often extremely heavy.
Synthetic underlayments also last longer than other options like asphalt-saturated felt. While they do cost more than other types of tile roof underlayments, that extra investment pays off in better durability, longevity, and ease of replacement. On the Florida market, no tile roof underlayment is more popular than synthetic.
Replacing a Tile Roof Underlayment
As we’ve established, a tile roof underlayment will almost never last as long as your roofing tiles will. This means that at some point, usually every 20 years or so, you will need to have contractors remove your roofing tiles, replace the underlayment, and then re-apply your tiles. This process costs less than a roof replacement, but it’s still something you want to plan and budget for.
If you notice that your tile roof is leaking and your roof is around 20 years old, it could very well be time to replace your tile roof underlayment. Other signs that it’s time for a new underlayment include:
- Visible curling or buckling of your underlayment visible near the eaves of your roof
- Broken tiles throughout your roofing system — this indicates that your roof as a whole is getting too old, which will accelerate how quickly your underlayment ages
- A musty smell coming from your attic or dark stains on the ceiling
When you need to replace your tile roof underlayment, reach out to PITCH Roofing for help you can depend on. Founded by veteran Florida roofers with more than 60 years of combined experience, we prioritize quality workmanship and customer service above all else. See for yourself the difference that PITCH can make when you reach out for a free, no-obligation roofing estimate.
Get a Free Estimate to Replace Your Tile Roof Underlayment
Identifying problems with your underlayment can be a challenge, and replacing a damaged underlayment is even more difficult. If you’re dealing with problems or are just concerned because your roof is getting up there in years, PITCH will be there to help. All you need to do is reach out for a roofing estimate.
Get your free estimate by calling us at 727-677-4824 or by filling out our contact form. We’ll take a look at your roof, identify any issues, and discuss your options with you. When all is said and done, we’ll provide you with an itemized estimate for any work your roof needs. This ensures that there are no cut corners on the job and no hidden fees after we finish!
Many homeowners don’t think much of their tile roof underlayment, but it really is an essential part of your roof. If you suspect there’s an issue, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Roofing problems only get worse with time, so the best way to keep roofing costs low is to act quickly!
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.
