Solve Roofing Challenges With Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment

Harsh environments, government regulations and certain roofing substrates can influence the type of roofing underlayment builders choose for a job. This is because some forms of underlayment can weaken under certain conditions or may not meet regional safety standards. As a roofing underlayment manufacturer, it’s important that you offer roofing underlayment that can overcome these challenges to meet your customers’ needs.

Fortunately, self-adhered roofing underlayment offers distinct advantages compared to other underlayment types. Find out what these advantages are, how they help you address key builder challenges and why you should add self-adhered roofing underlayment to your portfolio.

Hurricane-force wind uplift can cause shingles to detach, leaving the rest of the roof vulnerable to more damage. As a result, some regions have implemented regulations that ensure their roofs will be properly equipped to handle heavy storms.The 7th Edition of the Florida Building Code, which became law in 2020, includes provisions for roofing underlayment that apply to new construction as well as to re-roofs. The new law gives roofers three options:

• Use two layers of mechanically attached underlayment.
• Use one layer, but only after taping all seams in the sheathing.
• Cover the entire roof with a self-adhered membrane.

While all of these options will ensure the roof is safe during severe weather, the first two roofing underlayment options will add time to the installation process. This is because they require fastening the underlayment to the roof after the initial application.

How Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment Can Help

In contrast, the third option, self-adhered roofing underlayment, is as easy as peeling off a release liner and unrolling the underlayment onto the roof. This can improve installation time to help finish projects faster, while still offering superior protection against severe weather. Additionally, self-adhered roofing underlayment meets governmental regulations and rigorous wind uplift tests. Since the underlayment seals to the roof, wind can't catch it as easily. This allows it to provide strong protection during high-wind events.

Not all types of roofing underlayment are ideal for all climates.Some types of underlayment may wrinkle, which can cause water to pool and eventually penetrate the roof. This creates moisture damage in the building envelope. For buildings in rainy or snowy climates, it’s important to use an underlayment that can provide a layer of protection between the shingles and the roof to avoid leaks. If the underlayment is prone to wrinkling, it may be ineffective in wet regions.

How Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment Can Help

Self-adhered roofing underlayment does not wrinkle; since the entire backing is coated with adhesive, it will stay in place once laid on the roof.The backing creates a waterproof seal between the roof deck and the underlayment. This helps prevent water from penetrating the roof, even in leak-prone areas like eaves, valleys, vents, chimneys and skylights.These properties make self-adhered roofing underlayment ideal for regions with heavy annual rainfall or severe winter weather.

As many homeowners look to buy or build a forever home, they lean towards long-lasting materials like metal and clay tiles for their roofs.Metal and clay roofs can last 50 years or more. While these options are excellent for creating a durable home, it means that the roofing underlayment needs to have a long lifespan as well.It must stand up against prolonged exposure to high and low temperatures, winds and other wear and tear that occurs over time.Therefore, when using long-lasting roofing materials, it’s important to also use high-quality underlayment. However, some types of underlayment last only 25 to 30 years. If the underlayment cannot last as long as the materials on top of it, the roof may need maintenance despite using long-lasting tiles or shingles.

How Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment Can Help

Self-adhered roofing underlayment is long-lasting and very durable against long-term exposure to the elements.Since every inch of the underlayment is covered with adhesive, it can trap out water, debris or other disturbances that may shorten its lifespan.There are also self-adhered options designed for hot and cold temperature exposure; this ensures the underlayment will not degrade if exposed to a wide range of temperatures.

In addition to helping builders overcome challenges, manufacturing self-adhered roofing underlayment can help your company in the following ways:

• Broaden your customer base: Since it is versatile and high-performing even in challenging environments, self-adhered roofing underlayment can help you branch out to new regions.
• Stay on top of market trends: This type of underlayment has become more popular in recent years. Adding it to your portfolio will ensure you offer a solution that will be attractive to customers for years to come.
• Improve brand image: By creating long-lasting, easy-to-install underlayment, your company will be known for your high-quality product.

Bostik’s butyl and hot melt adhesives offer superior durability and stability ideal for self-adhered roofing underlayment.These solutions can help you manufacture underlayment that easily solves common roofing challenges. To learn more or request a sample, contact a Bostik representative today.

You can also learn more with this relevant content:

• Your Roofing Underlayment Adhesive Could be Holding You Back
• Is Your Roofing Underlayment Adhesive Up to Par?
• How the Roofing Underlayment Market is Evolving