Roofing underlayment is important in providing an additional protection layer under shingles. When comparing roofing underlayments, you’ll find that most of them have several features in common, which is why the quality of the material you choose is essential.
Tar paper is less wind and sun resistant than roofing felt, so a roof covered with tar paper deteriorates much faster, increasing the risk of rotting and cracking over time. Synthetic roofing felt has a gripping surface that prevents slipping or falling, so it is much safer than tar paper, which is difficult to walk on.
As you can see, both of these materials have a lot to offer, but which one is right for you?
To help you make a decision, we have written a short and comprehensive comparison guide that shows exactly how the latest synthetic roofing felt stacks up to – and surpasses – the competition.
Is Roofing Felt the Same as Tar Paper?
Roofing felt and tar paper aren’t much different from each other. Besides, they work the same way – by adding another layer of protection to the roof deck, providing a barrier for moisture.
The difference between the two is that tar paper is made of tar, while roofing felt is simply a fiberglass mat made of a synthetic, inorganic material known as asphalt. Roofing felt offers more longevity but less safety during installation. Tar paper is much safer and prevents slipping or falling, but it is less wind resistant and deteriorates much faster.
To help you choose between roofing felt and tar paper, we must look at each of their pros and cons.
Note: When buying roofing products, ensure they meet all industry standards.
What is Roofing Felt
Roofing tar, also known as tar paper, is a thin layer of material installed between the roof deck and shingles. It’s made from natural materials like wood cellulose or synthetics like fiberglass/polyester, forming a powerful layer of protection to your roof.
Roofing felt consists of wood cellulose or polyester inside and a protective asphalt coating on the outside. Since it is synthetic, the paper helps to repel water and can still breathe.
Although roofing felt gives your house aesthetic value, its major purpose is to help protect the roof from water damage.
Pros of Roofing Felt
These are all the benefits of using felt paper on your roof:
- Prevents moisture damage: The primary role of roofing felt is to repel water. When that happens, the roof lasts longer because mold due to moisture is kept at bay.
- Backup protection: Roofing felt offers maximum protection against residential ice or water damage. This is especially important in northern climates where ice is common.
- Sometimes, heat from inside your house may melt ice dams on the roof, causing water to seep into nooks on the roof. If the situation is not combated quickly, the leakage may damage the house walls, ceiling, and insulation. Fortunately, a felt paper can help you avert all these risks.
- Additional weather protection: Shingles are the first point of contact when it comes to protection against extreme weather elements. However, applying an extra layer of protection can increase the lifespan of your roof deck.
- Aesthetic purpose: Roofing felt enhances the look of your roof. Also, it enhances uniformity, especially if the roof deck isn’t lying on a perfectly uniform surface.
Cons of Roofing Felt
- Maintenance: having felt paper underlayments means you should be ready to spend enough dollars to cater for constant repairs. For your information, polyester materials are highly affected by heat. Even after repairs, the damage is evident, and the roofing becomes untidy.
- Needs professional installation:
- During the installation of felt papers, it’s always a good idea to seek the help of professional roofing contractors and especially one who has extensive experience in specifically felt paper roofing. They will help you set it up so well to boost its anti-UV resistance, especially in hot climates.
What is Tar Paper
Tar paper is a type of material that is typically used in construction. It is made by impregnating paper with tar, which gives it a waterproof quality.
Tar paper is often used as a vapor barrier between layers of insulation or as a shingle underlayment. It can also be used to line foundation walls and other areas where moisture might be a problem.
Tar paper for roofing is often impregnated with asphalt instead of tar. This makes it more durable and better able to withstand the elements. Asphalt-saturated tar paper is also sometimes used as a temporary roofing material instead of more expensive options like metal or slate.
While tar paper is an inexpensive and effective way to waterproof a construction project, it is not without its drawbacks. One of the biggest problems with tar paper is that it can be difficult to remove once installed. This can be a problem if you ever need to make repairs or changes to the underlying structure. Tar paper can also be messy, producing an unpleasant smell when installed.
Despite its drawbacks, tar paper is still popular for many construction projects. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to find, and can be an effective way to waterproof your home or office.
Pros of Tar Paper
Let’s talk about the important benefits of tar paper.
- Protection: Tar paper is a great moisture barrier. It prevents water from leaking into the house.
- Cost-effective: Tar paper is more budget-friendly as compared to felt paper.
- Readily available: Tar paper can be found almost everywhere.
- Diverse uses: Unlike felt paper, tar paper can be used elsewhere besides roofing. Many construction contractors use it on walls, floors, and other critical areas.
Cons of Tar Paper
- Durability: Tar paper is less durable than roofing felt.
- Low-tear resistance: Unlike roofing felt, tar paper can easily wear out, especially with strong winds and other weather extremes. It is, therefore, more prone to damage than felt paper, and for this reason, only a few people like to use it.
- Lastly, tar paper needs to be replaced over time because it quickly loses its ability to shed water and may even rot.
- Messy to work with
- Produces an unpleasant smell when it is first installed.
Want to find out how long you should leave your felt on the roof before installing shingles? How long can roof underlayment be exposed should answer the question for you
Roofing Felt vs. Tar Paper – In-Depth Comparison
1. Cost
Cost is the first thing that comes to mind when considering a protective layer for your roof. And since installing a new one or repairing these materials can be costly, it’s understandable why pricing can be one of the factors that top your list.
There’s a huge gap between roofing felt and tar paper prices. The former is a bit pricey, at about $100 per 100 square feet, while the latter cost is as low as $5 per 100 square feet.
Although the high cost of roofing felt is unfavorable, they offer much more in terms of durability. On the other hand, tar paper is affordable but compromises on longevity.
2. Weight/Thickness
When comparing their thickness, there is no difference between roofing felt and tar paper. And so, while you might not think that the thickness or weight of these materials is important, they impact the prices and labor cost of your roof replacement, which is why you need to consult your roofer before choosing a specific weight or thickness.
Generally, the most common weights for roof felt are 15 and 30 pounds. These are preferred for residential roofs, but each has advantages and disadvantages. However, the general rule of thumb is that a 15-pound felt is ideal for a rooftop with a slope of 4:12 or higher, while a 30-pound felt is best suited for low slopes that may need a double layer or weightier felt.
Remember, since there is no standard for what you have to lay, you must decide what to use on your roof. However, the slope of your roof can help you decide what is acceptable.
3. Weather Resistance
Resistance is simply the ability of a material to withstand extreme external factors such as weather. When it comes to roof deck protection, it’s always a good idea to opt for durability over price.
Both roofing felt and tar paper are tough, but the former is more moisture resistant. Felt is an excellent water barrier thanks to its polyester coating.
On the other hand, tar paper is greatly affected by UV and tough weather, which makes it wear faster than felt. Most tar paper manufacturers place the life of this underlayment at a maximum of 10 years.
Another thing to keep in mind is that tar paper consists of pure tar, a natural material that’s very prone to dampness and is not sun resistant. So, it doesn’t really fulfill your expectations, especially in the long term.
4. Durability
Different roofs have different lifespans. Since you have to put an underlayment on nearly all roof types, you have to consider how long the underlayment will last to avoid tearing and repairing your roof before its actual time.
Therefore, which underlayment is more durable between roofing felt and tar paper? Synthetic roof felt is more durable than tar paper.
Modern roofing felt is typically made of synthetic fiber, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. These materials provide added strength and stand up to the elements better than tar. Additionally, roofing felt is less prone to rip during high winds, holds nails, and repels water better than tar paper.
After installation, a synthetic underlayment will last longer than a felt underlayment.
5. Water Absorption
Felt is an excellent waterproof underlayment. Its key components – fiberglass fleece and polyester – are widely used as a moisture barrier in many construction materials. It doesn’t absorb moisture or water easily, even in the coldest or rainy weather. When exposed to moisture, it repels instead of absorbing it.
On the other hand, tar paper is more prone to dampness because of its porosity. A little moisture or water exposure will wrinkle it quickly because it absorbs a lot of water. Therefore, if you want to install shingles with great success, you must do it as soon as the felt underlayment is laid down.
Roofing felt is a great waterproof material. Tar paper is also a great alternative, but it absorbs water and is susceptible to dampness, making it a turn-off to most people.
6. Installation Process
The goal of using an underlayment is to protect your roof from moisture and other damage. But to fully carry out these functions, you must install them correctly.
It’s easy to install synthetic roofing felt, which makes it a popular choice for many homeowners. This roofing material is relatively lightweight, making it easy to roll, and won’t add much weight to your roof. And because it’s synthetic, it has a gripping surface that prevents slipping or falling.
Tar paper is also easy to install, but it’s not as safe as roofing felt. Laying it is difficult since it doesn’t have the same gripping features, and you can slip or fall easily during installation.
Roofing Felt vs Tar Paper
Whether installing a new roof or repairing an old one, there are several factors to consider about the types of underlayment to use. There are a couple of key differences between roofing felt and tar paper. The key takeaway is that synthetic roofing felt offers much more and may be a worthwhile investment than tar paper.