Find solution
What is the difference between plush and felt?

To roofing contractors: how much difference is there between a 15lb felt, 30lb felt, and/or water+ice shield?

  • I am re-doing my roof with a roofing contractor, but I'm not sure what are the best options available. I want to know if a 15lb felt can do the same as a 30lb felt or a water and ice shield. Or, is one option better than another? How effective is a water and ice shield? What is the best, yet cheapest option?

  • Answer:

    1st answer is great, 2nd answer is very very bad!! Building codes in most states require one layer on the bottom of the eave. Unless, your eave exstends more than 3 feet from the house. Then 2 layers is required. It is pretty spendy but very very worth it and required. For paper, we usually throw down 15 lb paper. The idea of paper is this..... #1. Roof Deck protection - underlayments serve as water shedding protection in case of roofing leaks. #2. Shingle Protection- underlayments keep wood resins 3away from the shingles. some resins can damage shingles. #3. Deck leveler- shingle underlayments help create a flat and even deck surface. We very rarely use 30 pound felt. I think you'd be pretty safe with 15 pound. I have the roofing bible right in front of me!! *Pro Field Guide*

dlee_the... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

30lb is a far superior barrier to water and will last about 1/3 longer than 15lb. Best not to skimp here.

MnS7BAYS

30lb felt is a lot heavier than the 15lb, and the ice shield you mention is a totally different animal altogether and much more expensive. The ice shield, such as Weatherwatch, is a pressure sensitive (sticky on one side) and a very tough membrane that you cannot rip by hand (the asphalt felt you can easily tear). The idea behind the ice shield is that its plastic membrane will seal around any fasteners driven through it so no water can pass through. Many building codes now require this material to be installed along the lower edge of a roof that is over a heated area to prevent the formation of ice dams and subsequent leaking down your inside walls. When I did my roof I had one area where the slope is not very great at all - it used to be over a porch - and i covered that whole area with Weatherwatch. It's expensive but head and shoulders over the felt. The 30lb felt is better and the ice shield may be required by code in any event, and at the very least it is a good idea. "Best" and "cheapest" do not equate.

Kokopelli

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.