Knowing your home's roof underlayment replacement cost can help estimate the cost of roof replacement. Learn about the factors that affect prices.
3 Roof Underlayment Types to Consider
Understand the differences between types of roof underlayment
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Choosing among roof underlayment types depends on your budget, roof material, and local climate conditions affecting your home's protection needs.
Felt underlayment costs $0.05 to $0.50 per square foot, synthetic costs $0.15 to $0.55, and rubberized asphalt costs $0.50 to $0.90.
Your roofing material influences the best choice: asphalt shingles work well with felt or rubberized asphalt, while metal roofs need synthetic for heat resistance.
Hiring a local roofing professional keeps you safe during installation and ensures your underlayment is properly matched to your roof and climate.
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Roof underlayment is an important part of your roof’s ability to stay insulated and keep water out of your home. This layer is applied over the roof sheathing, providing a foundation to attach the shingles to and underneath the shingles.
Roofers commonly use several types of underlayment materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Learn the differences between underlayment types and how to select the best one for your roof.
| Underlayment Material | Expected Life Span (In Years) |
|---|---|
| Felt | 10–25 |
| Synthetic | 25–35 |
| Rubberized asphalt | 25–35 |
1. Felt Underlayment
Photo: Lex20 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Felt underlayment, also known as felt paper or roofing felt, is one of the oldest and most commonly used underlayment materials. It’s made of organic paper or felt matting that’s been saturated in asphalt to make it water-resistant.
It comes in two weights: 15 pounds per 100 square feet (No. 15 felt) and 30 pounds per 100 square feet (No. 30 felt). No. 30 felt is often used for house roofing, and No. 15 felt is mainly used for sheds and other smaller detached structures.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most affordable | Prone to tearing |
| Provide better breathability | Can’t be left exposed |
| Water-resistant | Not fully waterproof |
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners in areas without severe weather
2. Synthetic Underlayment
Photo: kalpis / Adobe Stock
Synthetic underlayment is a newer type that has grown in popularity over the past few decades. The material is made of woven synthetic polymers like polypropylene and polyethylene. Synthetic underlayment is more durable than felt and offers resistance to mold and fungal growth. It’s also heat-resistant, making it a good choice in areas with extreme temperatures or for metal roofs, which can trap excess heat.
Although it’s a popular choice, one of the problems with synthetic underlayment is that it may trap moisture due to being less permeable than felt underlayment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Faster to install | More expensive |
| Lightweight | May trap moisture |
| Durable | Not eco-friendly |
Best for: Homeowners looking for a long-lasting durable underlayment
3. Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment
Photo: Lex20 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Rubberized asphalt underlayment, also known as self-adhered underlayment, is made of asphalt and rubber polymers. Unlike felt and synthetic underlayments, rubberized asphalt has a sticky backing that allows it to adhere to the roof decking without fasteners.
It’s the most waterproof material out of the three options and provides the highest level of protection against roof leaks and extreme temperatures. It’s also the most expensive of the three and has the highest roof underlayment replacement cost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best waterproofing | Most expensive option |
| Easy to patch | Less coverage per roll |
| Doesn’t break, tear, or crack | Difficult to install |
Best for: Homeowners in areas with extreme temperatures who want the highest level of waterproofing
Things to Consider When Choosing Roof Underlayment
The best underlayment type for your roof depends on several factors, including cost, weather, and your roof’s style and material.
Budget
The three types of underlayment vary in cost, so your budget may dictate which kind you choose. Felt underlayment averages between $0.05 and $0.50 per square foot, synthetic underlayment averages between $0.15 and $0.55 per square foot, and rubberized asphalt underlayment is the most expensive at an average of $0.50 to $0.90 per square foot.
Type of Roof
Your roof’s material can also be a deciding factor in which underlayment is best. Asphalt shingle roofs work well with rubberized asphalt or felt underlayment, while metal roofs may need a synthetic underlayment for heat resistance.
Climate
The kind of weather your home experiences the most will help you decide on the right underlayment material. Felt underlayment is a budget-friendly choice in areas without extreme temperatures or high winds. Homeowners in areas that experience very hot or very cold weather, high winds, or heavy snow or rain should opt for synthetic or rubberized asphalt underlayment.
Can I Install Roof Underlayment Myself?
Homeowners with extensive roofing experience may be able to tackle installing roof underlayment, but this job is often best left to the pros. A local roofing company will be able to advise you about the right material for your roof and correctly install the underlayment.
Any roof work involves significant safety risks, especially when installing material that may be slippery to walk on and difficult to handle. Hiring a roofer means that trained and experienced professionals will be able to safely tackle the job and ensure your home is properly protected against the elements.
Roofing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.3★ avg. • 120 total reviews
- Chance R.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLC - Jeremy P.
This place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
- David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Kevin S.
I am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Rob B.
Manuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
- Julie K.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree Service - Marcia L.
I've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
- Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Paul F.
Bradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc. - Madison B.
I would absolutely recommend this business. They offer a variety of services, including: painting, roofing, and refinishing wood flooring. I hired them to refinish the original hardwood flooring in my home built in 1874. The job was quite challenging, as the floors were extremely aged and...
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