Knowing about the pros and cons of peel-and-stick roofing would be immensely beneficial for those who have previously handled such projects.
The comprehensive coverage of this topic allows for better decision-making on implementing roof maintenance procedures.
Pros and Cons of Peel and Stick Roofing
Are you a DIYer looking to weatherproof your roof? If so, you might have heard about peel-and-stick roofing.
In this guide, we’ve included relevant points about peel-and-stick roofing, its material, its lifespan, and its pros and cons.
It’s necessary to emphasize that this guide only focuses on the pros and cons, not a “how-to.” In other words, you won’t find information on peel-and-stick installation here.
Peel-and-Stick Roofing
Roofing underlayment serves several crucial functions, including providing a weather barrier to keep out moisture.
Tons of peel-and-stick roofing products are available to help DIYers obtain the necessary supplies for essential maintenance and waterproofing.
Waterproofing is one of the vital requirements for improving a home’s resale value.
Proper underlayment installation protects your home from moisture penetration, reducing noise and increasing energy efficiency.
With these benefits, it’s clear why you need peel-and-stick roofing. However, knowing the pros and cons will help you weigh your options.
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An Overview of Peel and Stick Underlayment
Peel-and-stick underlay is becoming more common in the building construction sector. An alternative name for it is a self-adhering roofing system.
It is a synthetic protective coating installed directly onto the roof deck before the other roofing material is applied. The subfloor includes an adhesive backing to provide a tight, waterproof seal.
Peel-and-stick roofing protects the roof from leaks and other related damage via a further layer of defense against water getting under. The roofing system doesn’t call for extra fasteners, like nails.
Therefore, peel-and-stick roofing may be an excellent choice if you want something more secure.
Peel-and-Stick Material
What material(s) is peel-and-stick made from?
This is made from rubberized polymer mixes consisting of polyester or high-density polyethylene that lock out moisture from your structure while also withstanding tears, thus having better performance over felt underlayments.
The best part is that peel-and-stick doesn’t need to be nailed in; you only need to peel and stick it where it best serves.
Now, the best-known peel-and-stick brands use the best materials. These brands include EPDM Peel-and-Stick Roofing Patch, Titanium PSU-30, GRACE, and MFM Peel & Seal.
You can explore more of the best-known peel-and-stick brands available.
The Lifespan
Before we get into details on the pros and cons of peel-and-stick roofing, it’s necessary to discuss the lifespan of this underlayment briefly.
Compared to traditional fet, peel-and-stick roofing lasts between 15 to 40 years. However, certain brands tend to promise longer lifespans than others.
To have an accurate picture of things, consider reading buyer reviews.
Peel-and-stick roofing lifespan may also be dependent on how well it’s installed. When improperly installed, it wouldn’t last for long and vice versa.
As a DIY’er, you’re better off researching extensively how best to install or call the pros to handle the project.
Typical Issues with Peel and Stick Underlayment for Roofs
As was already said, peel-and-stick roofing has some drawbacks.
These include issues with UV radiation breakdown, thermal sensitivity, lack of breathability, incorrect setup, moisture trapping, durability, and cost concerns.
Let’s quickly go over these concerns so you can decide if it’s the best choice for your roof.
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Moisture Trapping
Naturally, peel-and-stick roofing aims to protect against water intrusion. However, it may also hold water between the rock deck and the base.
Such an event can eventually cause rot, mold growth, and structural damage. The only way to avoid moisture retention is to ensure adequate ventilation and drainage.
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Inability to Breathe
How can this be an issue? Well, roofing systems typically need ventilation to release accumulated moisture. Installing a peel-and-stick underlayment could hinder this crucial breathability, leading to moisture buildup and hot air under the roof.
High-humidity areas are prone to this problem; if you live there, consider using a more breathable roofing option to avoid it.
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Water Infiltration And Wind Damage
Lack of adhesion causes water intrusion and wind damage to peel-and-stick roofing, which generally relies heavily on adhesive ingredients to be effective.
If the adhesion isn’t sealed correctly, it won’t remain stuck to the roof as designed, which could lead to severe problems like water infiltration and wind damage.
Ensure correct surface preparation and temperature conditions during installation to prevent such catastrophic events. This will maximize adhesion.
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Sensitivity to Temperature
Regrettably, heat and frigid temperatures can damage any form of roofing. Peel-and-stick may not bond well because they mainly depend on their adhesion.
In hot conditions, the material may soften and lose its integrity. Thus, it would help if you considered utilizing an underlayment appropriate for the area’s climate.
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Materials for roofs that are incompatible
Incompatible roofing materials pose a serious risk when using peel-and-stick roofing.
Likely, This kind of underlayment won’t work with the materials your roof is made of. Recall that several materials are used to make roofing.
Metal roofs can expand in hot weather and compress in cold temperatures. This expansion and contraction may cause the roofing to rip or buckle.
Finding suitable roofing materials requires expert advice before utilizing any roofing option.
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Poor Installation
Porous installation is a serious issue with this type of roofing. Errors like unsuitable overlap, wrong adjustment, or insufficient sealing can jeopardize the integrity of the entire roofing system.
It is vital to know that improper installation may adversely affect the efficiency of even the best synthetic underlayment.
Refer to the manufacturer’s handbook before starting this do-it-yourself project. You can also hire an expert to finish the task for you, which will help you cross this problem off your list.
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UV radiation breakdown
In general, roofing materials are not friendly to UV rays. If your peel-and-stick roofing system is exposed to heat, it may degrade from UV radiation.
This tragic event may lead to leaks and malfunctions. However, you can prevent this situation by protecting your roofing from UV light. Inspect and maintain your roof regularly.
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Durability Issues
The lifespan of peel-and-stick roofing is several years.
However, the material’s quality and the installation technique are key factors that impact how long it will remain effective. The roofing type lasts longer when thicker, which may increase overall costs.
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Cost Considerations
Lastly, another drawback of this kind of roofing is the expense factor.
Generally speaking, peel and stick is more costly than the standard choice. As stated earlier, a thicker underlayment will cost more. This isn’t the best option if you’re not financially stable.
Before making significant decisions, compare the upfront cost to the possible long-term savings on changes and repairs. This will help you make well-informed financial plans.
Is Peel-and-Stick Roofing Worth It?
This is where to take a closer look at the pros and cons of peel-and-stick roofing. The findings guide you on whether or not to proceed with this underlayment installation.
Let’s begin with the pros;
Pros of Peel-and-Stick Roofing
Peel-and-stick roofing leaves no mess behind, is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, durable, versatile, easy to install, and offers superior waterproofing.
Other pros of peel-and-stick roofing include energy efficiency and require minimal disruption. Let’s briefly discuss these pros as follows;
i. Leaves No Mess Behind
Nobody wants to deal with a lot of mess after roof maintenance or installing an underlayment.
A clear advantage of peel-and-stick roofing is that it leaves little to no mess behind. With no requirement for specialized tools (due to self-adhering installation), little mess is involved.
ii. It Is Cost-Effective
When it comes to affordability, peel-and-stick roofing is easily among the most affordable you’ll find. Its ease of installation means that minimal labor costs are involved.
For DIY projects, such costs are eliminated. What more? You don’t need extra purchases (by way of supplies), as peel-to-stick roofing comes with self-adhesive surfaces.
iii. Environmentally Friendly
Most peel-and-stick roofing is recyclable. This means you can reuse them without disposing of them in landfills. Plus, you may earn an energy tax credit in the process.
iv. Durable
Durability is one of the benefits of using peel-and-stick roofing.
Being impenetrable to moisture and able to withstand adverse weather conditions, this roofing will efficiently serve your needs and can last a minimum of 15 years.
Peel-to-stick roofing is also elastic and flexible. This feature adds to its strength.
v. Versatile
A clear benefit of peel-to-stick roofing is its versatility.
In other words, it can be used on various surfaces, including curves and roof types. The results are also aesthetically appealing.
Consider exploring the different projects to apply this roofing.
vi. Easy to Install
Ease of installation is one of the hallmarks of peel-and-stick roofing. The installation process is a no-brainer.
However, you’ll need basic installation knowledge as a DIY first-timer. There are many instructional videos on YouTube and home improvement websites to learn this simple skill.
vii. Provides Superior Waterproofing
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of peel-and-stick roofing is its superior waterproofing.
It offers far-reaching solutions to any moisture problems you have or wish to tackle. However, it must be said that proper installation is necessary for best results.
viii. Energy Efficiency
If you’ve spent a ton of money on utilities (heating & cooling) before installing peel-and-stick roofing, this will likely change after installation.
That is because the material has insulating properties coupled with its reflective surface.
ix. Minimal Disruption
Peel-and-stick roofing is less invasive than roof replacement, which impacts a significant part of your everyday routine. In other words, there are no noisy machineries to contend with.
Cons of Peel-and-Stick Roofing
Having identified the pros of peel-and-stick roofing, it’s time to consider the cons.
The installation will require multiple coatings, may be scarce to find, and cannot be compared in longevity to other roof types. Let’s discuss;
i. Installation Requires Multiple Coatings
Installing peel-and-stick roofing can be slow and tiring as it requires multilayering. In other words, multiple coating is needed.
This is necessary to achieve a particular thickness. This isn’t a project you should do if you’re in a hurry, as each layer has to be dry enough for the next.
ii. It May be not Easy to Find
Earlier, we mentioned a growth in the popularity of peel-and-stick roofing among homeowners.
While true, finding this material can be challenging as it’s not widely available. Some patience is required on your part.
iii. Cannot be Compared in Longevity to other Roof Types
Peel-and-stick roofing doesn’t come close compared to different roof types like slate, clay tile, or metal roofing. Some roofs can last up to 2 centuries, while peel-and-stick an average of 18 years.
These are the pros and cons of peel-and-stick roofing. With the information provided, you can weigh your options and decide whether to proceed with installation or explore other options.
Common Peel and Stick Roofing Problems
Roofing underlayment may be the best choice if you’re looking for the best defenses against water-related damage to your house.
On the market, you can explore many types of roof underlayment. They consist of a peel-and-stick and asphalt-felt roofing system. There are perks and drawbacks to each of these roofing systems.
The asphalt underlayment can cause the ingress of water via fasteners such as nails and screws. However, peel-and-stick roofing is different. It adheres to the roof deck by peeling, as the name suggests. It’s far easier to install, and you could make it a do-it-yourself effort.
While a peel-and-stick roofing system might seem like a superb solution, there are a few potential problems you need to take note of. This article is going to point out some peel-and-stick problems. In addition, we’ll list some ways you can resolve the issues and how to prevent future occurrences.
Is it Worthwhile to Use Peel and Stick Underlayment?
Do you believe installing a peel-and-stick roofing is necessary in light of the abovementioned issues?
Yes, that is the response. Compared to the typical ones, it provides superior protection against moisture and other related damage, making it a good investment.
As stated earlier, the installation is simple enough without hiring an expert.
A peel-and-stick roof system can be a fantastic choice for your home. As has been said countless times, it provides protection and convenience.
However, you must recognize and address potential issues before taking significant action. This will increase the longevity and peace of mind of your roof.