Types of Roofing Paper

Many people may think that all that is covering the roof of their homes are the shingles because that is what they can see. In actuality, there is more to roofing than just the shingles. Under the shingles, tiles or other roofing materials is another layer called the underlayment. The underlayment is a layer of paper that helps keep the seams of the roof from leaking. It also helps to protect the wood of the roof and helps the top layer such as shingles, tile or metal to adhere to the roof. Roofing paper comes in several different types depending on what the paper is going over and what is going over the paper.

Roofing felt, also known as tar paper, is probably the most common type of roofing paper. It is so widely used because it is one of the best papers for sealing cracks, seams and nail holes. It also offers great protection for the wood or other roofing material it covers and it can be used under any type of roofing material. Roofing felt is made of fiberglass infused with bituminous materials. Bituminous materials are also used in the production of asphalt; this is where the paper gets the name tar paper. The bituminous material is what gives roofing felt most of its virtuous properties, such as sealing and adherence.

Synthetic roof paper is new to the market but is becoming very popular. This type of roofing paper is made of synthetic polymers. Because synthetic roof paper is tear resistant and wrinkle-free it lays down more even on the roof and is much safer for workers to walk on while installing. Other advantages include the fact that synthetics weigh less and are made in light colors, which means that the roof will stay cooler. Synthetic paper is also made in larger sheets, which saves roofing contractors a lot of time on installation. But this type of roofing paper is much more costly than roofing felt.

Self-adhering roofing paper is used in areas of the roof where ice dams are likely to occur or where the roof is known to leak. Self-adhering roof paper is the best choice for ice and water barriers. Self-adhering paper is costly. This type of paper is installed as a first layer on the roof in the areas where it is needed and then the other type of paper is installed over it. the Self-adhering paper is thicker than other types of underlayment and it does not require any fasteners for installation. Self-adhering paper may be used on the entire roof if it is flat or has a low degree of slope.