[Jim McC]

I just got 3 estimates for Owens Corning Duration shingles, and was wondering if I should go with the synthetic felt or regular felt paper? Is the synthetic felt a better product? The price is only $250 more.

Thanks.

 

[PatChap]

It's major appeal is to the installers. It is much nicer to work with, offers far better traction and doesn't blow away.
It also protects better in the case of blowoffs, since it doesn't blow away nearly as bad as regular felt, so imo the $250 is well worth it.

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks.

Is there a better shingle for the same money as the OC Duration?

 

[Windows on Wash]

+1

Well worth the investment in my opinion and the Duration is a good shingle. Right up there with the other well regarded dimensional shingles.

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks guys

 

[ParagonEx]

Synthetic doesn't serve much of a purpose if covering with shingles the same day. We normally use 15# felt.

 

[Windows on Wash]

If the roof is covered the same day, it definitely serves less of a purpose, however, I still prefer it for the blow off resistance as well.

We have come back to service storm damaged roofs that were new installs of ours and I have never had even the slightest concern if it was a roof that was spec'ed with synthetic underlayment and a proper cap fastener.

It isn't going to leak no matter what in that situation.

I have gone back to roofs that had storm damage where the shingles were blown off near a seam in the felt and the felt was taken with it, leaving the deck exposed.

 

[ParagonEx]

How will it not leak through the nail holes from the old shingles if the shingles are blown off?

I like synthetic and do think it has a purpose, just not in every application.

 

[ron45]

For those that can afford to say it's only $250 more, by all means just go for it.
Does it really matter if it's better or not, no.....

It's going to be under the shingles, if for some reason the shingles blow off is it covered under some warranty.???????

No mattrer, you have enough money so why question it....

 

[PatChap]

It isn't the warranty that matters, the stuff just offers better protection.
While I haven't used the OC synthetic, the discount stuff I have used is great. The shingles may blow away in a severe storm, but the paper stays where it's put.
It also doesn't wrinkle if it gets wet, so their won't be any telegraphing through the shingles if it's left over night and there's some dew.
Is it necessary? No, it isn't, but for what I imagine is a reasonable %wise upgrade, it protects better and makes sense.

 

[Windows on Wash]

How will it not leak through the nail holes from the old shingles if the shingles are blown off?

I like synthetic and do think it has a purpose, just not in every application.

Most blow offs we see, the nails stay down on the deck and the shingle tears through. The nails seal themselves in this case and as long as you are running a button cap staple or nail, the underlayment is basically sealed.

Either way, you aren't getting a gushing leak from a nail hole. My concern (in the case of wind damage) is the felt being torn back and at that point, all the water is going right under the felt on the next layer and in at the next plywood seam in the roof.

For those that can afford to say it's only $250 more, by all means just go for it.
Does it really matter if it's better or not, no.....

It's going to be under the shingles, if for some reason the shingles blow off is it covered under some warranty.???????

No mattrer, you have enough money so why question it....

I disagree for the reasons stated above and for Pat's reasons below.

It isn't the warranty that matters, the stuff just offers better protection.
While I haven't used the OC synthetic, the discount stuff I have used is great. The shingles may blow away in a severe storm, but the paper stays where it's put.
It also doesn't wrinkle if it gets wet, so their won't be any telegraphing through the shingles if it's left over night and there's some dew.
Is it necessary? No, it isn't, but for what I imagine is a reasonable %wise upgrade, it protects better and makes sense.

+1 on the install end of things.

It is as much a benefit, if not more, to the install end of things. Better slip resistance, doesn't wrinkle up, stays down if a thunderstorm rolls through.

We have some thunder clappers that can roll through without much warning and when the synthetic is down...it isn't coming up. We can get the thing dried in and know that we are water tight at that point. I have sat by with baited breath when the felt is down from time to time.

 

[cibula11]

Walkability alone is worth the $250 in my opinion.

 

[ChuckF.]

Re $250, when I got roof quotes about two years ago, some of the roofers told me that the cost difference was so little between felt and synthetic that they would no longer quote felt, because first synthetic was safer for their employees, and second, if an unexpected rainstorm blew in there would not be a major tarp emergency and possible insurance claims.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Make no mistake, stuff is slick as a cats back when its wet, but dry...its much more solid.

 

[Windows on Wash]

We sell the systems warranty with all of roofs. Just gives you the assurance that the roof is being done right and that you have the backing of multi-billion dollar manufacturers behind you.

I would put either shingle on my roof (i.e. Duration or Landmark). We are doing my next door neighbors and we are putting Landmarks there.

As far as the felt vs. synthetic goes...if the roof gets closed in quickly and/or you don't have any weather, its really a non-issue. I prefer the synthetic for the fudge factor myself.

I will say this, Certainteed overcharges for their synthetic stuff so many times we run the Roofers Select in those Certainteed installs.

Irregardless, the most important thing is the install company putting the roof on. The best shingle, put on by a bad installer is a bad install.

If you have a company that is doing a systems warranty (i.e. Preferred/Platinum or 5 Star), they are taking the extra steps and clearly doing it right. You can't be a crap company and offer those options.

 

[hotrod351]

great stuff, and your only going to drive 10,000 nails though it. its only purpose is it wont blow away, but then you going to install a roof over it. another better mouse trap.

 

[SnowBirdVa]

Hello y'all,

We are having our Florida house roof replaced in a few weeks and the roofer has offered the OC WeatherLock Mat. Is this the same product you are discussing here?

We are selling this house and some would say it will not be our concern but there is an issue that does worry me. Our realtors, both of whom I trust, were here yesterday and one said that there have been problems with the product in south Florida with it trapping water/moisture under the mat where mold then grows on the wood substrate because the mat doesn't breathe. Apparently there have been lawsuits over it.

Has anyone here heard anything to this regard? Yes, it won't be my problem but I believe in doing it right the first time. And it is a very big roof and would save us $700 if we go with traditional felt, but that is not the first consideration. Preventing mold in Florida is the question here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PatChap]

Weather lock is oc's line of ice and water barrier. It's self adhering and creates a vapor barrier over the deck.the installed shingles also create a class 1 vapor barrier, so smarter men then me will have to explain the mold issue.
Proper venting is key whether you use it or not.