The Unseen Shield For Your Roof
The true strength of a roof lies beneath the surface. Discover the critical role of synthetic underlayments and ice & water shields in protecting your home.
Get a Roofing EstimateWhat Are Synthetic Roof Underlayments?
A roof underlayment is an essential layer of protection between your roof decking and the finished roofing material, acting as a secondary weather barrier. It's designed to catch any water that might seep past your primary roofing membrane.
Modern synthetic underlayments offer superior tear resistance and UV stability compared to traditional felt paper, providing an extra layer of durability and extending the lifespan of your entire roofing system. An investment in high-quality underlayment is an investment in the long-term health of your home.
Premium Synthetic Underlayments We Use
GAF Deck-Armor
This premium underlayment combines strength and breathability to help protect your home against wind-driven rain and trapped moisture. It's a key part of the GAF Lifetime Roofing System.
Owens Corning Deck Defense
A high-performing synthetic underlayment featuring a textured surface for better grip and traction, ensuring a safer and more secure installation.
CertainTeed DiamondDeck
Made from a unique polypropylene and polymer composite, this underlayment offers superior tear resistance, exceptional slip resistance, and reliable water protection.
Grace Vycor Select
A lightweight, self-adhering membrane with a slip-resistant surface that maintains water integrity even in hot weather. Its unique ripcord feature improves application efficiency.
What Are Ice & Water Shields?
An ice and water shield is a premium, self-adhering rubberized asphalt membrane that creates a watertight seal on the roof deck. Unlike standard underlayment, it forms a complete, self-sealing waterproof barrier.
It is placed in high-risk areas like eaves, valleys, chimneys, and skylights, which are most susceptible to damage from wind-driven rain and ice dams. For premium roofs (slate, metal, tile), we highly recommend covering the entire roof deck with an ice & water shield for ultimate protection.
Premier Ice & Water Shields We Use
Grace Ice & Water Shield
The premier self-adhered membrane, composed of a rubberized asphalt adhesive and a slip-resistant, high-density polyethylene film for ultimate waterproofing.
GAF StormGuard Leak Barrier
A film-surfaced barrier highly resistant to tears. Its high-temperature synthetic surface is suitable for use under both asphalt shingles and most metal roofing systems.
Henry Blueskin RF200
A self-adhered ice and water shield made from a tough, SBS modified bitumen compound. Its unique sand-surfaced layer offers excellent slip-resistance for installers, making it ideal for use under shingles, tile, and slate roofing systems.
A Complete Defense System
Underlayment and ice & water shields aren't redundant—they're two parts of a comprehensive strategy to keep your home dry and protected for decades.
Layer 1: The Main Shield
High-quality synthetic underlayment covers the entire roof deck, serving as a powerful, breathable, and water-resistant secondary barrier against moisture.
Layer 2: Critical Area Defense
The ice & water shield is applied to vulnerable areas (eaves, valleys, etc.) to create a self-sealing, waterproof barrier that stops ice dams and wind-driven rain.
Combined Protection
Together, these layers form a synergistic system. The underlayment provides broad protection, while the shield offers an impenetrable seal where it's needed most, ensuring total peace of mind.
Do It Once, The Right Way!
Cutting corners on these unseen layers leads to costly future repairs. We install the proper materials for your climate and roof, ensuring a robust defense that lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Synthetic underlayments are significantly more durable, tear-resistant, and water-resistant than traditional asphalt-saturated felt paper. They also offer better UV stability, meaning they can be exposed to the sun longer during installation without degrading.
An ice and water shield is a self-adhering, rubberized asphalt membrane that creates a completely watertight seal with the roof deck. It's designed to protect the most vulnerable areas of your roof from ice dams and severe, wind-driven rain.
While it's typically required only in critical areas like eaves, valleys, and around penetrations, we highly recommend full coverage for premium roofing systems like natural slate, metal, Spanish tile, cedar, or composite materials to ensure maximum longevity and protection.
Underlayment is your roof's secondary line of defense. Shingles or tiles are the primary barrier, but if water gets past them, the underlayment prevents it from reaching your roof deck and entering your home, protecting against leaks, rot, and mold.
Secure Your Home's First Line of Defense
Ensure your new roof has the ultimate protection from the elements. Contact our experts today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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