We also discuss the moisture permeability of roofing underlayments in hot humid climates. Green links show where you are. Copyright 2. 01. 7 Inspect. Apedia. com, All Rights Reserved. Roofing Felt Underlayment Requirements RecommendationsClick to enlarge any imageOur photo page top shows felt underlayment in good condition as a worn out roof was being stripped. It looks as if the installer of asphalt roof shingles still visible at below right but now worn out may have placed roofing felt on top of a still older wood shingle roof. Above is a peel and stick mineral surfaced roofing underlayment shown during installation of a metal standing seam roof. Photo courtesy Galow Homes. Article Contents. Is Roofing Felt Underlayment Needed Under Roof Shingles, Tiles, Slate, Wood Shingles or Shakes As stated in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction The roof deck should be sound and level before laying the underlayment. Fifteen pound or heavier felt underlayment is required by code in some areas. Whether or not it is required, underlayment is cheap insurance against problems. There are several good reasons to install underlayment It protects the roof deck from rain before the roofing is installed. Arm Architecture Reference Manual Edited By David Seal Pdf Free' title='Arm Architecture Reference Manual Edited By David Seal Pdf Free' />It provides an extra weather barrier in case of blow offs or water penetration through the roofing or flashings. It protects the roofing from any resins that bleed out of the sheathing. It helps prevent unevenness in the roof sheathing from telegraphing through the shingles. It is usually required for the UL fire rating to apply since shingles are usually tested with underlayment. Our OPINION is that on new asphalt shingle, tile, fiber cement, slate, and many wood roofs, most roofing contractors apply an underlayment membrane of roofing felt tar paper, or fiber reinforced roofing felt. A special underlayment may be recommended by the manufacturers of specific roofing product and hybrid products. Our photo left shows new felt underlayment in place during an asphalt shingle roof installation in New York. While the requirement for felt underlayment beneath asphalt roof shingles seems to be a topic of almost timeless argument subject to much arm waving and little reading of manufacturers instructions and warranties, various sources recommend or require installation of a felt underlayment over the roof deck before asphalt roof shingles are installed. Booth Roberts reported at length on the uses of underlayments on asphalt shingle roofs, citing quoting Asphalt shingle underlays are commonly used throughout North America. The National Roofing Contractors Associations NRCAs definition of underlayment includes some important functions To separate the roof covering from the roof deck To shed water To provide secondary weather protection. The authors point out thatResins from green lumber roof decks have been known. Underlays are quickly applied and. Underlays have remained intact after. Underlays provide secondary weather protection. Other functions of underlays have been reported 8. Two of the more important ones are air flow resistance and. Air flow resistance reduces windblown. Moisture storage provides. We know of no. experiments that quantify these advantages. There are disadvantages to underlays. Felt materials can. Peterson reported. California due to heat build up 1. Explaining how an. The liquid water transmission test in. ASTM D 4. 86. 9 for asphalt felt underlayments for shingles. Take care to ensure that the. Slipperiness and poor ultraviolet UVNRCA, Building Code, Manufacturers Recommend or Require Felt Underlayments on Shingle Roofs. Booth Roberts and other sources also report that underlayment is required or recommended below shingles. Reference numbers are to references in the cited document. NRCA NRCA recommends underlays on all shingle roof systems. A 1. 99. 0 survey indicated that. U. S. roofing contractors always used underlays. Roof Warranty The absence of underlays can invalidate some. Manufacturers Requirements typical requirements found in roof shingle manufacturers installation instructions specify the use of underlayment Non perforated, Type I, No. Type II, no. 3. 0, asphalt saturated felt complying with ASTM D 2. ASTM. D 4. 86. 9 or ASTM D 6. Oakridge Pro. 30 shingle instructions. Canadian building codes do not require general full. Many Canadian roofing. Typically, underlays are used more over wood plank roof. Underlays are more likely to. There also are provincial preferences, for. Ontario roofing contractors tend to use underlays. Qubec. Local building code requirements here is an example from Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The Reapers Are The Angels By Alden Bell there. All dwellings, structures attached to dwellings, and all conditioned heated andor cooled structures, require eave. This. barrier shall consist of at least two layers of underlayment cemented together, or be a self adhering polymer modified. It must be installed the full length. On roof slopes of 21. On 41. 2 or greater slopes, the balance of the roof shall be one layer of 1. Five Best Practices Reasons for Using Roofing Felt Underlayment. Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction lists five good reasons to install roofing underlayment Roofing underlayment or felt protects the roof deck from rain before the roofing is. Roofing underlayment or felt provides an extra weather barrier in case of blowoffs. Roofing underlayment or felt protects the roofing from any resins that bleed out of. Roofing underlayment or felt helps prevent unevenness in the roof sheathing from. Roofing underlayment or felt is usually required for the UL fire rating to apply. The roof deck should be sound and level before laying the. Fifteen pound or heavier felt underlaymentis required by code in some areas. Whether or not it is. Underlayment On Standard Slopes where Asphalt Roof Shingles are Installed. As stated in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction On roofs with a slope of 4 1. Vertical joints should lap a minimum. Figure 2 2 at left. Secure each shingle course along seams and edges with. In high wind areas, apply fasteners. For best protection against leaks, run felt 6 inches. Valleys should be lined with a. Side. courses of underlayment should run over the valley lining. See ASPHALT SHINGLE VALLEY FLASHING or see page 5. Best Practices GuideUnderlayment Application of Asphalt Shingles on Low Slope Roofs. Continuing from from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction Asphalt shingles can be used on roofs with. See UNDERLAYMENT DOUBLE vs SINGLE.