The number one thing when investigating a roof replacement is to make sure you are purchasing a system that has a manufacturer's warranty. By choosing Renaissance Roofing, Inc. (a GAF President’s Club Contractor) for your roof replacement, you will be educated thoroughly on the different products. This provides confidence that you are buying a system with products with strong durability and that grant you the best warranties. We always advise installing products that are manufactured by the same brand, rather than generic off-brands – by doing so, homeowners can obtain extended warranty protection.
Roof deck underlayment provides crucial protection against moisture, prevents leaks, and is a vital part of enhancing the durability and longevity of your roof. When it comes to protecting your roof decking, it is important to pick products that you know you can rely on.
After your old roofing components are removed, the deck surface is inspected and any rotten or damaged boards will be replaced. The next product that is installed over your decking is ice guard. At Renaissance Roofing, Inc., we offer two ice guard products on our proposals: WeatherWatch and a generic ice guard. Ice guard is installed according to building code, a minimum of 66” up eaves or 2 feet into the heated unit to avoid water and snow penetration. Ice guard is also installed around penetrations, skylights, valleys & dormers, chimneys, flashings and transitions.
We always recommend installing the WeatherWatch ice guard for several reasons. For one, it helps prevent leaks in the most vulnerable parts of your home and reduces the risk of costly repairs due to wall and ceiling stains from leaks. Weather Watch also meets all the code requirements where local building codes require the use of leak barriers, all while being eligible for the best warranties that GAF offers. The generic ice guard is not an eligible product for GAF’s Lifetime Limited warranty.
After the ice guard is installed, underlayment is applied to the entire remaining roof deck. GAF offers the following products for deck protection: Shingle-Mate, FeltBuster, TigerPaw, and Deck-Armor. While Shingle-Mate and FeltBuster are less expensive options, our professional opinion is that they are an inferior product to GAF’s TigerPaw and Deck-Armor. We highly recommend going the next step up with GAF’s TigerPaw or Deck-Armor deck protection underlayment, as they perform better.
GAF’s Shingle-Mate is a fiberglass enforced underlayment, a slight upgrade from the 30# felt option. Shingle-Mate will lay flatter and smoother than traditional felt protection. GAF’s FeltBuster is a synthetic roofing material. Compared to TigerPaw and Deck-Armor, FeltBuster is thinner and has almost a tinfoil-like consistency in our opinion.
TigerPaw Premium roof deck protection features a moisture control design that reduces damaging moisture on the roof deck, allowing it to lay flatter. TigerPaw’s synthetic, non-woven material provides at least 7 times greater tear strength than standard #30 felt (please ask for a sample from your estimator to compare). Non-asphaltic, polypropylene underlayment will not rot or become brittle – unlike conventional felts, which can disintegrate over time.
While TigerPaw is a great product, Renaissance Roofing, Inc. also offers an upgrade to the GAF Deck-Armor Premium roof deck protection. Deck-Armor offers all the same great qualities as TigerPaw —breathable technology, durable, long-lasting construction, a great look for your home with its resistance to buckling—and the same lifetime limited warranty eligibility but with even more protection. Deck-Armor is thicker, and its breathable technology (has the highest perm-rating for this product in the market) helps manage the roof system's moisture and provides a secondary layer of wind-driven protection. Deck-Armor’s claim to fame is that in the event of windblown shingles, DeckArmor is made to help withstand the elements for up to 180 days while your roof is being repaired.
Installation of Tiger Paw or Deck Armor
TigerPaw and Deck-Armor roof deck protection are both installed above the ice guard on the roof. They are the roof's secondary layer of protection from the elements, including rain, snow, and wind. These are the layers that lie between the shingles and the roof deck. Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, which is why it is so important that it is protected by quality materials that can withstand different weather conditions.
When deciding on deck protection, it is crucial to choose a durable, water-tight material. Inferior underlayments will not provide nearly as much protection as TigerPaw and Deck-Armor and will not be covered under GAF’s Silver and Golden Pledge limited extended warranties. Have peace of mind knowing your roof will be protected with high-quality underlayment such as the GAF WeatherWatch, TigerPaw and Deck-Armor.
Renaissance Roofing, Inc. is here to help you decide what is best for you and your home! Please feel free to contact us to set up a time for your personal roof evaluation.
