What Is Roofing Felt Used for? Exploring Its Purpose and Benefits

If you’re wondering what roofing felt is used for, our roofing experts have the answers you are looking for. Roofing felt is crucial in protecting your roof from moisture and wind damage and even improves energy efficiency. 

Acting as a waterproofing layer and underlayment for shingles, it adds durability and extends the lifespan of your roof. 

With added insulation and moisture protection, roofing felt ensures your home stays dry and secure. Discover the essential role of roofing felt in this informative article.

Roofing Felt Waterproofing and Protection Benefits

Always use a layer of roofing felt under your composition roofing to ensure complete waterproofing and moisture protection.

Roofing felt is a crucial component of any pitched or flat roofing system, providing a barrier against water penetration and preventing moisture damage to the underlying structure. It is commonly used in various applications, including residential and commercial roofs. For additional protection against water penetration, we recommend installing an ice and water shield.

The benefits of using roofing felt are numerous:

• It functions as a waterproofing layer, preventing water from infiltrating the roof and causing leaks.
• It provides an extra layer of protection against ice dams, which can potentially result in significant damage.
• Roofing felt helps to improve the overall durability and lifespan of the roof by reducing the risk of moisture-related issues, such as mold and rot.

When properly installed, roofing felt offers reliable moisture protection, making it essential for any roofing project.

Underlayment for Shingles and Other Roofing Materials

Use roofing felt as the underlayment for shingles and other roofing materials to provide added protection against water infiltration and enhance the longevity of your roof. 

Roofing felt offers several benefits that make it an ideal choice for underlayment:

• Waterproofing: Roofing felt serves as a barrier, inhibiting water from infiltrating the roof and causing damage to the underlying structure.
• Moisture protection: It helps to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and rot.
• Temperature regulation: Roofing felt helps to insulate the roof, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• Strength and durability: It adds an extra layer of protection against impact and helps extend the roof’s lifespan.
• Easy installation: Roofing felt is lightweight and easy to install, making the process quicker and more efficient.

To install roofing felt, start at the bottom of the roof and work your way up, overlapping each layer to ensure complete coverage. Secure the felt using roofing nails or staples, and trim any excess material.

Protection Against Wind Damage

Roofing felt provides essential protection against wind damage to ensure the longevity and stability of your roof. 

When strong winds blow, the roofing felt acts as a barrier, preventing the wind from getting underneath the shingles and causing them to lift or tear off. 

This wind resistance is crucial, as it helps maintain your roof’s integrity and reduces the risk of leaks. The felt also acts as an additional layer of protection against water infiltration, preventing leaks from wind-driven rain. 

By effectively sealing the roof and preventing wind damage, roofing felt plays a vital role in safeguarding your home and preserving the structural integrity of your roof for years to come.

Added Insulation and Energy Efficiency

By providing an extra layer of insulation, roofing felt helps improve energy efficiency in your home. Here are some key benefits and cost-effective advantages of using roofing felt for added insulation:

• Reduced heat loss: Roofing felt acts as a barrier, preventing heat from escaping through the roof. This aids in sustaining a comfortable temperature inside your home and diminishes the necessity for excessive heating.
• Enhanced energy savings: Enhanced insulation means your HVAC system doesn’t need to exert as much effort to maintain the desired temperature, leading to reduced energy bills.
• Prevention of air leaks: Roofing felt helps seal any gaps or cracks, preventing drafts and air leakage, which can significantly impact energy efficiency.
• Enhanced sound insulation: Besides thermal insulation, roofing felt provides sound insulation, reducing external noise and creating a quieter living environment.
• Increased property value: The added insulation benefits of roofing felt can increase the overall energy efficiency of your home, making it more desirable to potential buyers and potentially boosting its resale value.

Roofing felt’s cost-effectiveness and insulation benefits make it a valuable addition to any roofing project, helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Increased Durability and Extended Roof Lifespan

Roofing felt provides several advantages that contribute to increased strength and improved structural integrity. By adding an extra layer of protection, roofing felt acts as a barrier against moisture, preventing water damage to the underlying structure. It also helps to distribute the roof’s weight more evenly, reducing stress on the supporting beams and preventing sagging. 

Additionally, roofing felt provides an additional layer of insulation, helping to regulate temperature and lower energy costs. Its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as strong winds and heavy rains, further enhances its durability. 

Overall, using roofing felt can significantly extend the lifespan of your roof, ensuring long-lasting protection for your home.

If you are curious how roofing felt compares to another material used for underlayment, you can read our post about “Felt vs Synthetic Underlayment”.