What is the best underlayment for a tile roof in San Antonio?
The best option is Westlake Royal TileSeal™, which provides superior waterproofing and longevity compared to standard alternatives.
The Longevity of Your Tile Roof Depends on the Quality of Your Underlayment
Tile is a highly durable and long-lasting roofing material, but it can be vulnerable to moisture intrusion if the underlayment begins to fail. Particularly in San Antonio, where we experience extreme storm seasons with heavy rains, replacing the underlayment of a tile roof is crucial for increasing the roof’s lifespan and keeping your roof in excellent condition.
As experienced tile roof installers, our team at Dolan Roofing & Construction always advises homeowners to choose a high-quality underlayment for their tile roof. Alternative options can be cheaper, but a better product is likely to save money in the long run. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Roof Underlayment?
Roof underlayment is a layer of material installed between a roof’s decking (the bottom layer of the roof) and the exterior material, such as asphalt shingles.
Underlayment serves as a barrier against moisture. While a roof’s shingles or tiles are layered in such a way that water flows down and off the roof, there is still plenty of opportunity for water to seep under these materials. Underlayment protects against this and prevents issues like rot, mold, and leaks.
Why Tile Roof Underlayment Matters in San Antonio
Not only is underlayment necessary for a tile roof, but it may actually be even more important than the roof tiles themselves. While roofing tiles resist damage from storms, wind, and more, the underlayment is the source of water resistance for tile roofs.
Without it, moisture would quickly penetrate to reach the roof’s decking, leading to rot and potential leaks.
Tile roofing is highly durable and can last for 50–100 years—or even longer. With such impressive longevity and damage resistance, it’s easy to assume that the roofing material alone provides adequate protection for your roof. But the underlayment is not to be overlooked!
Our Recommended Underlayment: Westlake Royal TileSeal™
Our team at Dolan Roofing & Construction recommends Westlake Royal (formerly Boral) TileSeal™ as the top tile roof underlayment for homeowners in San Antonio.
All tile roof underlayments provide some protection against moisture. However, there’s a significant difference between water-resistant and waterproof. TileSeal™ is a fully waterproof material that provides superior protection for your roof for much longer than other, cheaper underlayments.
Additionally, TileSeal™ typically lasts 20 years or more, outpacing many standard underlayments. While alternative underlayments do have their place, especially when considering budgetary concerns, we always recommend TileSeal™ as the top product.
Signs Your Underlayment Needs Replacement
While for traditional roofs the underlayment will typically be replaced along with the rest of the roof, for a tile roof, the underlayment will not last as long as the tiles. This means homeowners should know the signs that their underlayment needs to be replaced. Common signs include:
- Leaks
- Water stains or moisture issues in your attic
- Excessive algae or moss buildup
- Age of the underlayment
Our Approach to Underlayment Replacement
At Dolan Roofing & Construction, we frequently replace underlayments as part of our tile roof lift and relay service. This service includes:
- Removing roof tiles
- Removing battens and underlayment if necessary
- Inspecting roof decking
- Installing new roof underlayment if necessary
- Replacing battens and roof tiles
- Completing a final walkthrough and inspection
By lifting and relaying the tiles of the roof, our team is able to assess the underlying sections of it and ensure everything is in good enough condition to last for years. This service should be completed every decade or so.
Dolan Roofing & Construction: San Antonio’s Tile Roofing Experts
At Dolan Roofing & Construction, we’ve worked with tile as a roofing material in San Antonio for many years. While it’s an ideal roofing solution for homeowners in San Antonio, its longevity and durability only go as far as the quality of the underlayment beneath it.
If your tile roof is due for an inspection or lift and relay, our team is ready to restore your roof and extend its lifespan! Contact us today to schedule your free inspection.
Tile Roof Underlayment FAQs
How long does underlayment last?
A roof’s underlayment typically lasts for 10–20 years or so. Because this is significantly shorter than the lifespan of a tile roof, it’s necessary to replace a tile roof’s underlayment a few times during the roof’s service life.
Can I reuse existing tiles during underlayment replacement?
Absolutely! Almost all tiles will be reused during the lift and relay process, though some breakage of tiles is inevitable.
What is the cost range for underlayment replacement?
Expect costs to start between $600-$800 per square.
