The latest generation of mechanically attached synthetic and peel-and-stick underlayments are allowing relief organizations to save weather-damaged homes that in the past would have fallen victim to mold, mildew, and rain damage. (Photograph courtesy of Cosella-Dorken Products Inc.)

Jim Sullenger, the executive director of Restoration Point Foundation, is no roofing expert. What's he's learned, however, is that the current generation of mechanically attached synthetic underlayments are allowing his organization to save weather-damaged homes that in the past would have fallen victim to mold, mildew, and rain damage.

The head of the Mississippi-based disaster relief group volunteered to speak at a press conference held at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla., to sing the praises of these new products.

The benefits of the high-end underlayments are no secret to most roofing contractors. Despite their higher prices, synthetic underlayments are overtaking traditional roofing felts at a rate of 10 percent to 12 percent a year, according to a study conducted by a third-party research firm.

Restoration Point and other disaster relief groups have typically relied on blue plastic tarps to cover and protect damaged roofs. Some of RSI's readers will never forget seeing the virtual sea of blue tarp covered roofs when flying into Orlando for the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) annual convention in 1993 after Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, Fla., and several other communities.

"There are a lot of dynamics beyond just the material that make these products better," Sullenger says. "In terms of safety for the volunteers, underlayments we use feature a non-slip surface."

In disaster recover operations during Hurricane Katrina, Sullenger's group found that emergency workers could apply long-term protection for damaged roofs four times faster than laying down less durable "tar paper" or resorting to sometimes ineffective — and always slippery — roof tarps.

In addition, once the sun comes out in these southern locations, ultraviolet (UV) damage quickly makes the vulnerable tarps useless.

To demonstrate the advantages of its mechanically attached underlayment (Delta-Roof), supplier Cosella-Dorken installed the product on a hurricane-damaged roof in Mississippi in December 2006. According to Sullenger, the underlayment was exposed to sun, wind, and rain for more than a year and displayed no ill effects. The roof was finally shingled over last month.

After the field test, Restoration Point roofers began using the product early last year.

"It's much easier to handle, which is important considering the extreme weather conditions we are often working in," Sullenger says. "I can't tell you how fabulously products like these perform. The underlayment we used outperformed any material we have ever come across. We're enthusiastic about it, to say the least."

Strict regional codes like those found in Miami and Dade County, Fla., now require that contractors install peel-and -stick underlayments on all steep-slope reroofing projects. While this may seem like overkill to some roofers, it makes perfect sense to the insurance companies that paid out millions of dollars in claims for water damage incurred during reroofs after the devastating 2004 hurricane season.

During that time, one insurance company had just paid out a $600,000 claim for a failed roof on a Florida church. During repairs, the low-cost felt paper underlayment specified for the reroof blew off, causing another $1.2 million in damages. Nightmare scenarios like these were common all along the Gulf Coast in 2005.

Fortunately, the contractor has an unprecedented number of choices when it comes to roof underlayments. In the last five years, the number of brand name products has increased from three or four to more than 50.

"We are proud to be working with a great organization like Foundation Point," Tom Fallon, vice president, marketing and operations for Cosella-Dorken Products, says. "Not only are they helping families on the Gulf Coast in times of extreme hardship, they have put our products to the ultimate real-world test."