Gaithersburg Roofing: Article About Roofing Underlayment Details
This common roofing underlayment consists of asphalt or bitumen to create a strong membrane under standard shingles. It offers water-resistance, but not waterproofing abilities. In severe rains, it's possible for this felt to have some moisture seepage through its layering.
Gaithersburg MD Roofing FAQ: Is all roofing felt the same thickness?All underlayments have varying ratings or thicknesses. These ratings are usually noted with numbered indicators. A number 30 rating, for instance, is thicker than a number 15. Some contractors may try to layer low-rating underlayments, depending on the project and local conditions. Ideally, one underlayment layer is best with a high rating or thickness.
From a layman's perspective, a standard roof may appear to have just a single shingle layer on top of the structure's deck. However, professional roofing projects use a simple and effective layering technique to keep water from infiltrating the home's interior. A Gaithersburg Roofing professional lays down underlayment or membrane between the deck and shingles. This water-resistant felt is constantly being improved for even better moisture control during a homeowner's new roof replacement project.
In most cases, underlayment is rolled out in a single layer across the roof. It's normally black or dark gray to reflect its bitumen or asphalt components. For the best water resistance, contractors should overlap each underlayment section by about 19 inches. When rain strikes the shingles, some water may leak into crevices. With overlapped underlayment protecting against this leakage, there are no more crevices to trap water. Water slowly flows to the rain gutters and away from the property.
Old-fashioned roofing felt simply laid on the surface with some air gaps underneath its structure. Staples holding it down created the smooth surface. Today's underlayment actually conforms to the deck's shape, creating a second skin for the rooftop.
The roofing experts at Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Gaithersburg MD can assist you with any questions regarding roofing, siding or gutters.
Although the material is still stapled down, its quality engineering is much more streamlined to form a flat surface for shingle installation.
With all the modern roofing materials available, shingles are still installed with basic nails. As the nails punch into the shingles, underlayment and roof deck, the membrane actually creates a seal around each nail. The underlayment doesn't tear during nail installation, but simply wraps around the fasteners for a watertight seal. This ingenious material feature prevents water damage for many years.
Modern underlayment simply has a smoother surface, especially when stapled down. It's this surface that becomes the canvas for an aesthetically pleasing shingle installation. Shingles appear to have a much more flush angle with the roof, allowing the material to accent valleys and transitions as the architect intended. There are no low-lying or bumpy sections on the roof, so water cannot puddle or become trapped. If an area is snow-prone, this feature is critical to roof longevity and weight control.
Homeowners should watch the contractors as they install the new roof section by section. The entire process is fascinating as workers use engineering and physics principles to shore up a structure. Residents will see the underlayment and its proper installation, giving them confidence that the home won't see leakage issues in the foreseeable future.
