When we mention the word roofing, what usually comes to our minds is tiles, shingles or even sheets all of which are the visible components that protect us against rain and also the sun. Roofing underlayment, however, is just as vital of a material but what is commonly ignored as being one of the many covering layers just behind the outer layer. It is this layer that makes your roof a watertight one. It is particularly the roofing underlayment that has been of great essence in protecting residential and commercial buildings especially in areas with a very blowing weather such as in India.
What is Roofing Underlayment?
Roofing underlayment is a kind of a guard installed in between the roof deck and the covering which is placed on the outside of the building. It provides you with a secondary barrier to moisture, wind, and other outside factors. Just imagine it like a wall of silence. Due to the fact that water might get through your shingles or metal panels water, the underlayment plays the role of preventing its seepage underneath.
India has two major type of roofing underlayment; the traditional felt based (bitumen) and new-age Synthetic roofing underlayment. Although the old options were effective, the artificial ones are quickly emerging due to their longevity, their malleability as well as their waterproofing capacity.
Why Synthetic Roofing Underlayment Is Gaining Popularity
Let us tell the truth of it – indian roofs are battered. It is real compared to monsoon rains and raging summer heat. It is here that synthetic underlayment excels. It is non-heavy, easy to fix and much water-resistant. In contrast to conventional alternatives, synthetic underlayments do not wrinkle or tear as easily meaning less callbacks to the contractor and less damage to the homeowner.
In addition, the synthetic roofing underlayment price has turned out competitive over the past years, which makes an increasing number of both builders and single homeowners willing to change to such a high-quality product.
Roofing Underlayment in India: Adapting to Local Needs
India is rich in climatic zones varying as the humid coast to dry center and the snowy mountains create the need to install smart construction materials. Roofing underlayment in India has developed that covers these various geographies.
For instance:
- Coastal regions such as Kerala or Tamil Nadu do not have bargaining power when it comes to waterproofing since they experience regular rains and air with salty moisture.
- The snow melts can infiltrate even the smallest of cracks thus infiltrating in northern states such as the Himachal Pradesh where the underlayment is not of the best quality.
- Heat resistance is necessary where there is dry climate as in Rajasthan.
Real-Life Example
Take the example of Rohit who is a house owner in Pune. His family would have lived with a leaking ceiling in their living room, every time it rained during the monsoons. But even after rework of the roof tiles two times, the problem remained. The effect of the problem finally vanished after a local contractor came up with an idea of placing synthetic roofing underlayment under the lower tiles. His family felt at peace because of the investment which was just a bit more than simple felt. I have not seen any drop in the house within two years, he says.
It is little wonder then that underlayment is a silent but all-important hero in any roofing system simply because of its real-life effect.
Advantages of Using Roofing Underlayment
- Backup with Waterproofing: Shingles or tiles may crack, slip out of alignment, or just wear down. Even in case of damage on the top layer, underlayment will provide protection to your home and keep it dry.
- UDL enhances the life span of the roof: Underlay can extend the lifetime of property as a whole because of the lowered water, heat and wind weightiness on roof structure.
- Resistance to fire and UV: Good synthetic underlayment offers additional resistance to fire and UV rays and this criterion is unavoidable in more hotter cities in India.
- Improved Safety during Installation: Synthetic sheets have a tendency of being anti-slippery, thus safe to workers during the installation of the roof and more so at steep pitches.
- Sound Proofing: Although not their main use, some types of underlayment are able to dampen out door noise, providing a cost effective method of sound proofing the inside.
Cost Considerations
It would cost a different amount depending on various criteria: the underlayment used, the brand, the place, and square footage. But when the Synthetic roofing underlayment price drops to a more affordable rate because of competitions and its production in the domestics, it is no longer a luxury.
Although the initial cost of the traditional bituminous felt is lower, it frequently requires earlier replacement or repair. Man-made substitutes might be expensive per square inch, but they can last a very long time due to which they prove overall cheaper.
Future Trends in Roofing Underlayment
The roofing sector is fast becoming innovative. We are now witnessing to self-adhesive underlayments, vapor permeable membranes that release moisture vapor as well as hybrid products which use recycled materials combined with synthetic materials to altering a more eco-friendly image.
Due to the increasing role of sustainability in the Indian construction industry, the potential ceiling in demand of recyclable, durable and energy efficient roofing underlayment can only be up.
Conclusion:
Underlayment roofing is not the most fascinating part of your construction job, but its influence can make it enormous. You are constructing a small house in a rainy area of Kerala or a huge business premise in Delhi, underlayment is what ensures that you keep the rain out and the building standing. As our choices on the synthetic roofing underlayment market expanded and synthetic roofing underlayment price fell, there are no excuses to compromise.
FAQs
Q1. Why is roofing underlayment important?
Roofing underlayment is quite an essential component of armor between the exterior protection layer and the interior arrangement of your roof. It offers an insurance cover against leakage, particularly when cemented forms.
Q2. How long does roofing underlayment last?
This is based on type and quality. Normal bituminous felt can be expected to last 10-15 years (up to 20 30 years with proper installation), whereas newer synthetic underlayments can range between 25 35 years or more depending on the type and how well installed.
Q3. Can you reuse roofing underlayment?
No, underlayment is not made to be reused. When it is removed, it generally becomes no longer water proof or structurally sound. Replacing a new sheet will help in maximum performance and security.
Q4. How much does roofing underlayment cost per square foot?
The prices depend on location and material, but generally:
- Strict felt: 10 to 20 rupees per square feet.
- Synthetic underlayment: 25 45 per sq. ft.
You should never disregard the installation and labor costs which may be a factor in the end quote.
