Is Ice And Water Shield The Same As Underlayment?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Synthetic underlayment

, like an ice and water shield, is quite a bit lighter, rolls out in large rolls, and is made of polypropylene, fiberglass, polyethylene, and polyester. … While they don’t seal the nails as ice and water shield does it is a superior underlayment when compared to traditional felt paper.

What is ice shield used for?

Ice and water shield is a self-adhering waterproofing underlayment that is used

in roofing to help prevent damage caused by ice dams and wind driven rain

.

What is ice shield membrane?

Ice and water protector, sometimes also referred to as ice and water shield, is

a waterproof roof underlayment membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage

. Ice and water protectors (sometimes called ice and snow shields in cold climates) are made with polymer-modified bitumen.

How does ice shield work?

Ice and water shield

acts as a gasket around each of those nail holes

, creating a watertight barrier that won’t let any leaks take place. If water does get under the shingles, it will stay on top of the ice and water shield and run off of your roof where it belongs.

How long does ice Shield last?

The original, fully-adhered roofing underlayment, Grace Ice & Water Shield®, now has an extended exposure

limit of 90 days

. For more than 35 years, Grace Ice & Water Shield® has been the brand that roofing contractors and architects trust most to specify and install on marquee projects around the world.

Should I put ice and water shield on my entire roof?

You may apply an ice and water protector on your entire roof, but this can also be costly overall. Instead, install it first

on critical areas of your roof

before you consider covering the whole roof. Install your ice and water protector covering at least 3 feet from the edge of your roof.

Where do you put ice and water shield?

  1. Ice and water protector needs to be installed directly onto the roof deck after you have placed the drip edge at the eave. …
  2. You should install ice and water protector before other underlayments, including roof felt.

Does ice and water Shield go over or under drip edge?

Although building code requires ice and water shield to

overlap the drip edge

, some drip edge manufacturers say the drip edge should be installed over the ice and water shield. … You can also opt to install membrane both above and below the drip edge, which both offers maximum protection and complies with building code.

Does ice need shield?

As you can see,

ice and water shield isn’t always necessary

, though in some places, it is required by code. And in areas prone to high winds and snow, ice and water shield becomes very important for the safety of the roof deck below.

Do you nail down ice and water shield?

When nails penetrate the ice and water shield on the roof, the rubberized nature of the material

creates a gasket effect on

the shaft of the nail. Leaks simply don’t happen. Not only does ice and water shield stop leaks caused by ice dams, but it also stops leaks created by fierce wind-driven rain.

Can ice and water shield be used as flashing?

Ice and Water Barrier however, is made of a more pliable like fiberglass matt. … Ice and Water barrier is also commonly used

around chimneys

, under all step flashing at dormers and roof to wall transitions, around pipe flashing and should also be used around skylights.

How do you remove ice and water shield?

Sometimes

shingles

come off the ice shield better when it is hot. In that case, let the area heat up a bit and then tear that area off, and then the shingles will separate from the ice shield. Sometimes shingles just won’t come up at all.

Can you use ice and water shield on a flat roof?


Yes, you can use an ice and water shield

on flat roofs. It provides two necessary layers of protection for your roof that will absorb small amounts of moisture under the membrane if any water passes through the leak barrier.

How long will ice and Water Shield last exposed?

Grace Ice & Water Shield can be left exposed for up

to a full 30 days

and can even be used as a temporary roof if final roof coverings are delayed.

What is high temperature ice and water shield?

Ice & Water Shield® HT is formulated with a proprietary adhesive with temperature

resistance of up to 260°F.

The membrane forms a watertight bond to the roof deck, and seals around fasteners of the primary roof covering and thus maintains the waterproof integrity of the roof deck.

Can you put ice and water shield over existing shingles?

No,

you can’t apply it on top of the old shingles

. You must apply this product as indicated by the manufacturer. Typically you’ll discover that you must apply the material directly to the wood roof sheathing that’s under the shingles and any old felt paper.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.