header image
Blog

Why Your Roof Should Have Underlayment

Why is underlayment such a critical material to use when installing a roof? Take a look at the ceiling above your head. Above that, you have an attic, within the attic space, your decking, or plywood provides a barrier between the shingles and your roof’s decking. Between the decking and your roof’s shingles should be an underlayment that helps keep your roof from deteriorating quickly and/or allows for zero water entrance. 

 

Why is Underlayment Necessary?

 

Underlayment is like having a tarp on your roof as a layer of protection against the elements. While the shingles do most of the hard work, if they are damaged or blown off during a storm, the underlayment will keep your decking dry. The underlayment alone is not a long-term solution, but it will hold up until you are able to replace the shingles.

 

What Are the Different Kinds of Underlayment?

 

Tar Paper

 

Tar paper underlayment has been around since the 1800s. It is a combination of tar and sheets of paper or fiberglass.

What are the pros of tar paper? 

 

  • Fairly inexpensive
  • Breathes well 
  • Can be used when installing all types of roofs


What are the cons of tar paper?

  • Very heavy and dense
  • Can tear easily (during installation and overtime)


Synthetic

 

Klaus Larsen Roofing of Hudson Valley uses synthetic underlayment, which is very durable can only be torn with a knife or scissors. It is fast and easy to install, UV and water-resistant, and helps provide for a safe roof installation."

What are the pros of synthetic underlayment?

  • More than double the square footage of tar paper by weight
  • Won’t tear without extreme force
  • Better water tightness

 

What are the cons of synthetic underlayment?

  • Doesn’t breathe as easily but works great as long as your roof is properly vented

 

Now that you know what’s providing an extra layer of protection over your home, you may know when it needs to be replaced or repaired.

 

If your shingles or underlayment are damaged, we can help! Schedule a FREE estimates with Klaus Larsen Roofing of Hudson Valley for all of your roof replacement and repair needs!

 

Our Service Area

Proudly Serving New York

We serve the following areas

  • Accord
  • Arden
  • Beacon
  • Bearsville
  • Big Indian
  • Blooming Grove
  • Bloomingburg
  • Bloomington
  • Boiceville
  • Buchanan
  • Bullville
  • Burlingham
  • Campbell Hall
  • Central Valley
  • Chelsea
  • Chester
  • Chichester
  • Circleville
  • Clintondale
  • Connelly
  • Cornwall
  • Cornwall On Hudson
  • Cottekill
  • Cragsmoor
  • Ellenville
  • Esopus
  • Florida
  • Fort Montgomery
  • Gardiner
  • Glenford
  • Goshen
  • Greenfield Park
  • Greenwood Lake
  • Harriman
  • High Falls
  • Highland
  • Highland Falls
  • Highland Mills
  • Highmount
  • Howells
  • Hurley
  • Johnson
  • Kerhonkson
  • Kingston
  • Lake Hill
  • Lake Katrine
  • Marlboro
  • Maybrook
  • Middletown
  • Milton
  • Modena
  • Monroe
  • Montgomery
  • Montrose
  • Mount Marion
  • Mount Tremper
  • Mountainville
  • Napanoch
  • New Hampton
  • New Paltz
  • New Windsor
  • Newburgh
  • Olivebridge
  • Otisville
  • Phoenicia
  • Pine Bush
  • Pine Hill
  • Pine Island
  • Plattekill
  • Port Jervis
  • Rifton
  • Rock Tavern
  • Rosendale
  • Ruby
  • Salisbury Mills
  • Shandaken
  • Shokan
  • Slate Hill
  • Southfields
  • Spring Glen
  • Stone Ridge
  • Thompson Ridge
  • Tillson
  • Tuxedo Park
  • Ulster Park
  • Unionville
  • Verplanck
  • Walden
  • Walker Valley
  • Wallkill
  • Warwick
  • Washingtonville
  • Wawarsing
  • West Hurley
  • West Park
  • West Point
  • West Shokan
  • Westtown
  • Willow
  • Woodstock
Our Locations:

Klaus Larsen Roofing of Hudson Valley


1-845-209-2357
Service Area
Free Quote