The Right Materials

3 Common Metal Roof Underlayment Materials That DIY Roofers Should Know

26 January 2018 by Frank Lynch

Homeowners prefer metal roofing to other materials due to longevity. However, one of the primary reasons metal roofs are durable is the use of robust underlayment material. With proper underlayment material, cases of roof leakage and entrapment of moisture will become past tense. While laying a metal roof for a residential home requires the services of a professional, it is possible to install metal roofing on a small structure such as your garage on your own. That being said, it is critical to address several factors before going to shop for metal roofs. One of the elements is choosing the right underlayment that will complement your structure's roof. This article highlights different metal roof underlayment materials.

Felt Underlayment -- It is the most common underlayment that you will come across, and it comes in two types, that is, organic reinforced and inorganic reinforced. Although both underlayments perform their functions as required, inorganic reinforced felt underlayment can withstand the weather elements better than the former. A primary advantage of felt underlayment is that it is impregnated with asphalt for fire resistance. However, it is important to remember that felt underlayment is best used on roofs with a high pitch and in climates with low moisture loads. Therefore, if your garage roof has a steep slope, then a felt underlayment might be the best choice.

Plywood Underlayment -- As explained earlier, metal roofs are durable with some lasting up to thirty years. With proper maintenance, you will require little to no repair work on your roof during its useful life. However, you need to prepare for repairs at any time because external elements can damage metal roofs. To avoid damaging insulation when replacing a metal roof, use plywood as an underlayment. Plywood allows you to attached metal roofs on a platform that will protect the insulation whenever you need to perform repairs or replacements.

Mineral Surface -- When installing underlayment for metal roofs, most people ignore the need for an anti-slippery surface. However, it is not recommended because you might need to peel off sections of the roof during maintenance thereby stepping on the underlayment. If the material used is slippery, then you will require safety gear to stay clear of injuries. An underlayment that is impregnated with granular minerals boasts of anti-slippery capabilities. The attribute makes the underlayment less slippery thereby eliminating the possibility of falls. Notably, it is the most expensive underlayment but worth the investment.

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