Roof underlayment Associates materials are buried under layers of roof decks. They are designed for the purpose of strengthening the surfaces of roofs against weather elements.

    Moreover, underlayment supports functional barriers in cases of damage from heavy draft, obstacles to heat and moisture infiltration, cushioning the effect of noise, anti-slip during installation, and chemical reactions on roof shingles. All elements must be dogged enough to carry the weight of concrete tiles.


    The Need for Underlayment

    Concrete roofing tiles, like most other roof tiles, are majorly used for the purposes of aesthetic appeal, lifespan, economic value, affordability, and durability. The challenge with concrete roof tiles is their lapses in with-standing water, and low and high temperatures. 

    This necessitates the use of roof underlayment in all cases. The lining of the underlayment prevents weather elements from gaining entrance into interior spaces.

    source: unsplash.com

    Types of Roofing Underlayment.

    Roofing underlayment has three categories, namely; felt paper, synthetic felt paper, and rubberized asphalt.

    Felt papers

    Felt papers are known as asphalt saturated felt owing to the fact that they are made from a blend of asphalt, bitumen, and cellulose, with asphalt as the major base component. Although similar to tar paper, the difference lies in the base components; asphalt as opposed to tar as a base component or tar paper. Due to the growing shortage in the supply of asphalt, papers are gradually losing their market position. The reason for saturating felt with asphalt is to solidify the strength of the roof level so as to enhance its capacity to counter the pressure from natural vertical forces of weather. They are resistant to damage with high roof protection capacities.

    Synthetic Felt Papers 

    Synthetic felt papers are made of non-bitumen polyethylene/polypropylene, which is very solid, flexible, water-resistant, and antifungal in nature. Compared to health papers, they are stronger and more resistant to wear and tear. In terms of coverage, it covers more ground than felt paper. It also has good quality resistance with a good concentration against appreciation and damage during installation. 

    Rubberized Asphalt

    Rubberized asphalt consists of layers of rubber installed on the surfaces of rocks, aided by adhesives. Rubberized asphalt is known for its elasticity and high capacity to conquer threatening levels of high temperatures. They are also customized to vary according to construction projects while retaining key properties that make-up for the shortcomings of concrete roof tiles, preventing moisture seepages.


    How to Spot and Identify Suitable Underlayments

    In order to understand the best underlayment for a concrete house, It is the only factor that makes up the considerations before selections are made.

    Underlays must be non-slip, providing sufficient safety measures for roofers who will need to move from point to point during installations. Among the three listed underlayments, the synthetic type possesses more preference for safety, installation speed, area coverage, and ease. The advantage of coverage with synthetics offers an ease of installation for installers when compared to the other two.

    Knowing that concrete roof tiles are delicate with their weight, it is very important that we are careful in selecting materials that will not overburden the load that the roof members are carrying. Thus, materials with light weights should be considered to eliminate splits.   

    For a start, synthetic felt papers are lightweight yet very strong, resilient, and durable. Unlike the felt papers and the rubberized asphalt, which have more weight. Apart from the anti-moisture efficiency of synthetic underlayment, it is slim, thereby making installation processes sleek, sweet, safe and easy.

    Under high temperatures, asphalt-based underlays become very prone to soaking moisture, which in turn compromises their integrity of usage. Consequently, they easily soften to become brittle and inefficient. In contrast, synthetic underlays do maintain their integrity under heated exposures.

    The ability to cope with extreme weather conditions and pedestrian pressures, while being able to oppose wrinkles in high temperatures, stands out as a strong factor. Any compromise to this specification could pose a big issue in the near future.

    Considering the vast application of synthetic underlays, the market price is higher than for asphalt. Nonetheless, this criteria can be weighed based on priced budgets, material functionality and the future cost advantage.

    Learn more about total costs related to concrete roofing.

    Because climates vary from zone to zone, the preference of roof underlays should be able to meet the standard building codes that specify recommended materials and quality. Specific underlayment for mild regions is not quite the same as for extreme cold, hot, humid and dry regions.

    It is obvious that concrete tiles demand time during installation, so selection of underlayment must be done considering those with long exposure limits. The importance of UV capacity comes into play as a result of the time lag involved in material usage on site. Expediently, underlays with prolonged exposure limits should be selected.

    The saturating rate of water is also very important to conquer fungus, rumples, and sun radiation. The synthetic underlay still comes above the felt underlay, which depreciates with extreme pressure of wind and wrinkles in the face of very cold climates. Worse still, asphalt inclined underlays are prone to break easily after being soaked.

    Individual components that make up the underlays affect their behavior. Imperatively, synthetic underlayments take the lead ahead of the asphalt-based variety in terms of benefits. The synthetic underlayment does not have unstable aggregates like felt and rubberized asphalt. This feature is what is responsible for the reaction that occurs during high temperature conditions.

    Sturdiness and durability rank as well. The underlayment must be tough and stout so as to hold the fort against the weather elements while being able to effectively bear the load of concrete tiles.


    Which Underlayment is the Most Suitable?

    The weight advantage, ultraviolet exposure limits, and rugged nature, among other enumerated points, give the synthetic underlays an edge over other categories of underlayment. With the overall exposure to the above specifications, choosing the best underlayment should not be a daunting task anymore for tile roofing procedures.

    Read also: Recommended Brands for Synthetic Roof Underlay

    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Matt Greenfield

    Matt Greenfield

    Matt Greenfield is an experienced writer specializing in home improvement topics. He has a passion for educating and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. Matt's writing focuses on a range of topics, including windows, flooring, HVAC, and construction materials. With a background in construction and home renovation, Matt is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques in the industry. His articles offer practical advice and expert insights that help readers tackle their home improvement projects with confidence. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Matt's writing is sure to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

    Learn More