In Part 1 of our Roofing 101 series, we focused on the first layer of defense your roof provides — the leak barrier.
In Part 2 of the series, we shift our attention to roof deck protection, an underlayment that assists in shielding your roof deck from moisture infiltration.
In case you’re not familiar, an underlayment sits just above the leak barrier, and underneath the rest of the components of your roof. Underlayments can be made of different materials, including asphalt saturated felt and more modern, synthetic materials.
The significance of roof deck protection is the fact that it covers your roof deck and its sole purpose is to act as a secondary moisture barrier — going a long way in preventing wind-driven rain from breaching your roof and causing damage to your home.
That said, the roof deck protection product your roofing contractor uses is a critical component to the roof replacement process.
At Legacy Exteriors, our asphalt roofing brand of choice is GAF. Their products are fantastic, and they are also America’s #1 asphalt roofing brand. So no matter which roofing contractor you hire to perform your roof installation, be sure to discuss the brand they’re using for all seven parts of your roofing system (all of which are being covered in this series). You’ll also want to make sure that you are receiving all seven parts of a roofing system, and that your roofing contractor isn’t cutting any corners by leaving out things like a roof barrier or roof deck protection.
That said, let’s take a quick look at the different types of GAF roof deck protection, so you can get an idea of what to expect with a roof replacement.
Note: even if your roofing company doesn’t use these particular GAF products, it’s important to make sure they’re using something of comparable quality and durability …
Deck-Armor
Featuring “breathable technology,” Deck-Armor is incredibly strong.
As you might expect, it helps to protect your home from trapped moisture, and wind-driven rain, which can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, or rot.
Deck-Armor is lightweight, slip-resistant, and easy for roofing contractors to install.
In addition, breathable technology makes this product a great choice for premium roofing systems.
Tiger Paw
This premium, synthetic roof underlayment is UV-stabilized, and also features a moisture-control design.
It also provides excellent walkability for roof contractors.
As with all of these GAF roof deck protection products, Tiger Paw provides a tough layer of protection against wind-driven rain.
Tiger Paw is a versatile underlayment, and can be used with asphalt shingles, slate, metal, or mechanically-attached tile roofs.
A combination of strength and resilience means it won’t rot or become brittle.
Resists buckling, resulting in a smooth roofing appearance.
FeltBuster
Value-priced, FeltBuster is still a strong, durable product, making it a dependable underlayment.
This synthetic roofing felt resists tearing, and does not absorb moisture (which would lead to disintegration as time passes).
FeltBuster has another perk — it lies flatter than your typical felt underlayment, delivering a sleek, smooth roof aesthetic.
Shingle-Mate
Shingle-Mate is unique in that it’s constructed with fiberglass-reinforced felt.
Resists buckling and wrinkling as it protects your home.
Since conventional asphalt felt underlayment is prone to wrinkling and bubbling, the addition of fiberglass-reinforcement goes a long way in keeping your roof looking great while it effectively protects your home.
VersaShield
One of the perks of VersaShield is the fact that it offers fire-resistant roof deck protection, and it can help in upgrading the UL fire rating of a roofing system, in addition to being an excellent underlayment.
In addition, fiberglass reinforcement helps VersaShield lay flat for a beautifully smooth roof.
Learn More
Want to learn more about GAF roofing solutions? Feel free to check out our Asphalt Roofing page, which details all of GAF’s asphalt roofing shingles and colors.
Contact Us Anytime …
If you have questions about roofing, would like a complimentary inspection of your roof, or would just like to talk about roofing options (repair or replacement), feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors anytime. We’re always happy to help!
