The Evolution of Roofing Underlayment
Building codes are constantly changing to ensure that structures such as your home are built safely. This includes everything down to the underlayment on your roof. Follow us as we travel through time and see how underlayment has changed throughout the years.
Humans have been using roofs for millions of years. The original purpose was to move water and snow quickly off and away from the top of the house. This came in many different forms. Homes were built with slate, thatch, clay tile, or wood shingles. It wasn’t until the 19th century that more than one layer of roofing material began to gain popularity.
How the California Gold Rush Revolutionized Roofing
Along with the gold rush came the invention of tar paper. As individuals migrated west in hopes of finding riches, the ability to build houses and towns quickly became very important. Tar paper was cheap and offered some level of waterproofing.
As you can imagine, tar paper alone was insufficient to keep the mining shanties dry for a long time. Finally, in 1903, asphalt shingles were invented in Grand Rapids, MI. There was just one small problem. The wood used for sheathing was typically made of white pine or cedar. The sap from the wood caused the asphalt shingles to deteriorate more quickly than they expected. So, they put tar paper over the wood to protect the asphalt shingles.
The Test of Time
The tar paper was a great way to protect the asphalt shingles. However, it did little to protect the roof from water damage. The material tore easily. If the roof leaked, it offered little in the way of protecting the interior of the home, and the tar paper deteriorated quickly. Over the decades, roof installation contractors tried using thicker paper.
Eventually, the roof installers caught on to the use of asbestos. This material seemed great because of its water resistance and durability. As the asbestos industry grew, so did the realization of its hazards. Companies started using less of it, and eventually, in 1989, the EPA attempted to ban the product. That ban was overturned in 1991, but by then roof installation companies were already starting to phase the use of asbestos out.
In America, the link between cancer and asbestos came to light during the 1930s. Creating regulations around the product was slow, but it did scare some manufacturers in the roofing industry to think of other ways to create a waterproof underlayment. Enter the fiberglass shingle in the year 1960. This material was good for its water resistance at first, but unlike asphalt shingles, they couldn’t stand up against the wind and freezing temperatures. They didn’t last.
asphalt felt because the material is cheap. Rest assured someone
is going to pay for it in the long run.
Modern Roofing Materials
An equivalent of tar paper is still used today. The product is now called "asphalt felt." The concept is the same. Recycled corrugated paper and sawdust are combined to create felt, and asphalt is then infused into the paper to provide it with water resistance. It still has a lot of the same problems that it had 200 years ago. The product still tears easily. While the asphalt felt does offer some water resistance, it does not stand up to the test of time like the new and superior products we offer, such as our self-adhering modified bitumen underlayment.
Synthetic underlayments are relatively new in the construction world. It was only made a little over 20 years ago. It offers the water resistance and safety that roofing underlayments have been lacking for millennia!
This is where Klaus Roofing Systems of Cincinnati comes in. Our underlayment is a peel-and-stick that adheres directly to the plywood. When nails are driven through it, there is a rubbery “goo” that stretches and seals around each one. That way, if water ever gets under the shingle, it won’t leak. Instead, it will run down towards the gutter. Our fully-adhered membrane provides wind mitigation. It protects your Bellevue, KY, house from roof leaks if you suffer hail damage, and because of the leak protection, our synthetic underlayment helps prevent wood rot.
synthetic peel-and-stick underlayment. Prevent leaks with your next roof, call us today!
The roofing industry is constantly evolving. Klaus Roofing Systems of Cincinnati promises to evolve with it. We want to make sure that your Verona, Kentucky, home is protected for decades to come! So, as roofing materials get better, we will too! Call us today and book your free estimate if you’d like to evolve with us.
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