Pros & Cons of a Synthetic Roof Underlayment in Florida

Your roofing system is a complex creature. While most homeowners focus on the big things like your shingles or tiles, your roof underlayment does essential work keeping your roof decking dry and leak-free. And a synthetic roof underlayment is one of the most popular options on the market.

But is it right for you? That’s what PITCH Roofing is here to help you decide. Today, we’re reviewing what a synthetic roof underlayment is as well as the pros and cons for Florida homeowners. With more than 60 combined years of local roofing experience among our founding roofers alone, we’ve got the local know-how to help you make the right choice for your home!

What Is a Synthetic Roof Underlayment?

Any kind of water-resistant roof underlayment serves the important purpose of keeping your roof decking dry. While your roofing material (shingles, tile, metal, etc.) should block out most moisture, wind-driven rain can force its way into your roofing system. When this happens, your underlayment is the last line of defense against leaks and mold development.

A synthetic roof underlayment represents a major improvement over traditional felt roof underlayments. Made from durable polymers, these underlayments last significantly longer than felt and offer increased water resistance. Since felt absorbs water in a way that synthetic underlayments do not, it shows signs of aging and wrinkling in ways that a synthetic roof underlayment won’t.

As an added bonus, synthetic underlayments even have improved UV resistance. Of course, ideally your underlayment will see as little of our intense Florida sunlight as possible. But for large roofs that require multi-day roof replacements, as well as homes with missing shingles, having this extra layer of protection can go a long way in keeping your roof safe and functional.

Pros & Cons of a Synthetic Roof Underlayment in Florida

Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of what a synthetic roof underlayment is, it’s time to talk about what kind of performance you can expect. Keep reading to see the good and the bad of synthetic underlayments!

Pro: Increased Durability & Weather Resistance

A synthetic roof underlayment has unbeatable weather resistance. This is important, because when hurricane-force winds tear off your shingles, your underlayment is the last line of defense. Thankfully, synthetic underlayments naturally resist water damage and will stand up against UV rays as well as rain in the time it takes you to get critical roof repairs after a storm. This way, your roof won’t be further damaged as you organize repairs!

Con: Higher Upfront Costs

If you want the cheapest possible underlayment, then felt could be right for you. But generally, we caution homeowners against treating price as the only factor. While synthetic underlayments have higher up-front costs, they also perform better across the lifetime of your roof.

So how much does a synthetic roof underlayment cost in Florida? It partially depends on the brand of underlayment you choose and who installs it. But as a rule of thumb, synthetic roof underlayments cost $0.30 to $1.15 per square foot. So while they’re more expensive than felt, they’re generally still affordable for most homeowners.

Pro: Longer Lifespans

A synthetic roof underlayment is built to last. The lifespan of your underlayment will depend on the manufacturing information, but these underlayments are rated for anywhere from 25 to 50 years. If you have a shingle roof, this means you can be confident that your underlayment will stay strong for at least as long as your shingles do.

Felt underlayments, on the other hand, last for about 12 to 20 years in Florida. And if your underlayment goes before your shingles do, you’ll have to tear off your roof to replace the underlayment. This is a huge hassle, and it’s a big reason why homeowners usually choose synthetic underlayments!

Con: No Industry Standard

While most homeowners choose a synthetic roof underlayment, its exact composition depends on the manufacturer. That’s because there is no set industry standard for synthetic underlayments. While some brands perform well, others may not live up to the same standards.

That’s why it’s crucial to have local roofers you can trust. At PITCH, we’ve been replacing and maintaining Florida roofs for a long time. We know which underlayments are worth your money, and which ones can’t hold up to our unique weather patterns. When you’re unsure of what to do, having reliable roofers in your back pocket is always a big help!

Pro: Resists Mold

When water penetrates your roofing system, mold is inevitable. This is doubly true in Florida, where our extreme humidity makes the perfect breeding ground for mold. Thankfully, a synthetic roof underlayment protects your home from this dangerous issue. Because synthetic underlayments naturally resist and repel water, they won’t let moisture into your decking and thus stop mold growth before it starts.

Get a Free Estimate for Your New Roof

Finding the right underlayment is an important piece of the puzzle when planning a roof replacement. Whether or not a synthetic roof underlayment is right for you, you can count on PITCH Roofing to help you make the best choice for your home. And working with our crew of experienced roofers couldn’t be easier.

To start the roof replacement process, reach out for your free, no-obligation roofing estimate. You can call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form. If you’d rather skip the in-person roof inspection, you can even sign up for an online-only estimate using satellite images of your home. At PITCH, we’re committed to making roofing easy for you!

A synthetic roof underlayment has a lot to offer. But just as important as what you put on your roof is who installs it. With deep local roots and a proven track record of success, given PITCH the opportunity to earn your business. When you give us a chance, we’ll show you why our customers love our dedicated approach to Roofing Done Right!