For more than 30 years now, organizations as the National Roofing Contractors Association and the Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturer’s Association have included roofing felt in their roofing and waterproofing recommendations. It is a requirement under several building codes.
Read our article to fully understand the purpose and properties of felt on roofing projects in Miami, and how this product will add an integral layer of protection to your roof and your whole residence.
Sometimes called roofing felt underlayment, roofing tar paper, or roll roofing, this is a layer of protection installed between the roof deck and the roofing shingles, and is really common in homes in Miami.
Roofing felt is comprised of a base, made from natural materials or synthetic ones, and then coated or saturated with a protective coating such as bitumen, which repels water but still allows the product to breathe, besides other advantages, essential for hot and tropical climates like the Miami one.
Roofing experts have agreed that adding a layer of protection between your structural roof decking and your roof shingles helps create a better-looking and longer-lasting roof. In fact, there are a number of important ways roofing felt not only protects your roof, but also your residence. For example, here are a few important ones:
Wind-driven rain or snow can trap water under your shingles, putting your roof deck and inner residence at risk of moisture damage, leaks, rot and mold. Roofing felt helps ensure the water drains off the roof and doesn’t leak into your home. This is really important in Miami, because of the weather and climate, the rains are pretty common, that’s why felt roofing is really common in Miami.
In northern climates specially, ice or snow dams are another common cause of residential water damage. When the heat from your home melts snow or ice on your roof, the water can then seep into your roof’s nooks and crannies and ultimately into your residence, causing damage to ceilings, walls, or insulation. However, roofing felt offers additional protection against leakage, providing an extra layer of water resistance.
Roofing felt prevents the deck from being exposed to the elements before, or while, the shingles are being applied.
No matter what type of asphalt shingle you are using, whether traditional or more robust styles it is recommended to use a underlayment in Miami.
For many years, roofers used asphalt saturated felt under roofing shingles, and it was historically available in two standard weights: 15 pounds per hundred square feet and 30 pounds per hundred square feet. The 15 pound was for lighter weight projects, while the 30 offered more heavy duty protection. Today, the actual weights have changed, but the categories have stuck.
Roofing felt is commonly sold in rolls and the product label will give information on the area contained. Divide the area of your roof by the area of the felt rolls you plan to use, and allow an approximate 10% extra for waste.
If you are looking for a qualified roofing felt contractor in Miami, who is an expert on installing felt, make sure to contact Springer Roof. With reasonable prices, and the best quality for your project, we will make sure you get the best service.
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