Here at Chase Construction North West Inc., we are dedicated to staying on top of trends and innovations in the roofing industry. This is especially true in the case of the shift from one product to another that is of better caliber and provides better safety features. Over the last 10-15 years, precisely such a shift has occurred in the underlayment market. Asphalt felts are now becoming a thing of the past and while in the early 2000’s there were only a few types of synthetic underlayment, the options are now vast. The reasons for this change can be attributed to the following factors.
Why Synthetic Is Becoming the Norm:
In today’s market, there is an endless array of synthetic underlayment brands. This exponential growth is mostly due to the sheer number of contractors who place value in the performance level of the product they use, and the final product they enact. Synthetic underlayment offers a number of enhanced features as well as 
performance factors and with the price gap between synthetic and asphalt felt continuing to shrink, felt is becoming almost obsolete in the industry. One of the most key features of today’s improved underlayments is enhanced walkability in both wet and dry conditions. This benefit plays a role in both the quality of roof enacted and the safety of rooftop workers, both of which are of highest priority to roofing contractors. A survey of GAF Master Elite® roofers, a title we have held for many years, found that the most valued attribute of an underlayment by far is walkability/safety 
followed by strength/tear-resistance. Typically made of polypropylene, synthetic underlayments are virtually untearable and do not absorb moisture. This helps to avoid wrinkling and telegraphing, both of which take away from the finished look of your roof. These factors combined are the reason for the migration away from felt and towards synthetic underlayment.
GAF’s Many Options:
We partner with North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF, a leader in the 
synthetic underlayment market. They earned this title first in 2006, when they introduced Deck Armor™ Premium Breathable Roof Deck Protection and then in 2011, with TigerPaw™ Roof Deck Protection, one of the most popular synthetic products on the market. Now, in order to provide a superior, cost-competitive option for contractors who still haven’t made the switch from asphalt felts, GAF has designed FeltBuster® High-Traction Synthetic Roofing Felt. The product is 
designed for use with asphalt shingles and incorporates both tough synthetic construction and a special spunbound walking surface. Additionally, its’ medium gray surface is cooler to work on than either traditional black felts or the leading low-cost synthetic felt replacement. Thank you for your continued push toward safety and innovation GAF!
About Us:
We here at Chase Construction North West Inc., are dedicated to knowing and incorporating the newest and safest technologies into our roofing projects. We are GAF Master Elite roofers and use all of their latest products in order to provide the most value to our customers. One of our knowledgeable project estimators would love to explain the benefits to you today! We specialize in all types of roofing, whether residential or commercial and our customers are happy with our service and final product every time. Call us today Puget Sound! We provide services in King County and Pierce County, along with major cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Renton, Auburn, Des Moines and all of the surrounding cities. If you are in need of roofing, decking, waterproofing, or skylight installation services, contact Chase Construction North West Inc. today! fill out our free estimate form or call us at (253) 445-8950.
