Sandro Di Pede of Interwrap explains the new technology behind roofing underlayments like the Titanium UDL being used on the Mashpee affordable home. Used in conjunction with an ice and water barrier, the Titanium UDL underlayment creates a weather-proof roof that can remain exposed for up to six months before being clad in the outer roofing layer. This advance in building technology lets builders seal the envelope of the house and be more flexible with the roofing schedule without compromising the construction. This 100-percent-synthetic polymer underlayment is lighter but sturdier than traditional builder's felt. One 40-pound roll of Titanium replaces six rolls of number 30 felt. This equates to savings in time, material, and storage. The grey material makes for a cooler, reflective roof that reduces energy loads on the home during high-temperature seasons. Titanium UDL also has a Sure-Foot patented design that reduces slipping for roofing crews.

Jesse Gonzalez joins Bob at the Punta Gorda storm-ready home to explain the roofing process. The crew has already nailed on the 30 pound asphalt-impregnated felt paper. They are now hot mopping 90 pound roll roofing with asphalt adhesive to make it adhere to the felt paper below. Gonzalez shows Bob the decorative wood dormers on the front of the house that are wrapped in house paper to protect against water intrusion. Bob remarks on the decorative arches above the front entry porch and the front window. They mirror each other as design elements and will both feature decorative columns. Around the back of the house the crew is completing a section of roof deck. They are using 5/8-inch plywood sheathing for a stiffer, more wind-resistant roof deck. The crew uses metal plywood clips to align the plywood and keep it even for nailing.

Bob talks with Larry Janesky of Basement Systems Inc., about the equipment being put in place to prevent moisture damage. An underlayment is being put on the floor to prevent water transfer. The underlayment is a plastic intelocking subfloor made specifically for basements. Organic material, like wood, should not come into contact with the concrete subfloor because water vapor rises up through the concrete and can create problems with mold. Traditionally, people remodel basements by putting visqueen down on the concrete, laying down pressure-treated 2x4's, insulating in between the boards, and then laying down a plywood subfloor. The ThermalDry inorganic underlayment is a better solution as it has tracks to allow some air circulation. With a traditional subfloor, water vapor condenses into water underneath the visqueen then transfers to the wood and organic materials in the subfloor, causing mold and rot. Plumbing leaks can also result in a wet subfloor, causing the plywood to buckle and mold to grow. ThermalDry underlayment is quick to install, which saves time and money. The panels lock together with teeth and a shiplap design to stop the water vapor. The tiles allow for a little expansion and contraction and take up only a half-inch of the basement's ceiling height. This underlayment system costs about the same amount as the traditional method but, unlike traditional subfloors, does not require replacement after a water episode. If there is a water problem, the tiles can be lifted up, dried, and put back in place once the water issue is addressed. On a flat floor, the tiles will lay flat and the perimeter tiles will be secured to the floor. The completed floor will be made up of three layers: the underlayment, the pad, and the carpet. These multiple layers will minimize any sound from the rigid plastic coming into contact with the concrete slab. The Melrose home has a wavy basement floor, so extra fasteners will be put in to hold the underlayment down. A dehumidification system will be put in the basement to draw water out of the air before it becomes a problem. It's important to use a dehumidifier designed specifically for basements as most dehumidifiers are rated for 80 degree temperatures and basements typically are much cooler than this. In this project, the dehumidifier installed was a SaniDry Basement Air System which has air filtration built in and is Energy Star rated.

Bob meets up with Tim Colgan to look at the Kahrs white oak flooring being installed in the bedroom. Earlier in the week the carpenters put the oriented strand board (OSB) underlayment down with construction adhesive over the old boards. The flooring installers first put down is their proprietary padding made of Airolin foam beads in between two layers of plastic. The padding provides sound and moisture resistance and additional comfort. There are no nails or glue involved in the installation. The end seams are put together first. Once the board is laid into the previously installed row it's topped with a heavy plastic block. There is no need to use a hammer. The secret to the tightness of the installation is in the interlocking joint � it's completely mechanical. However, some play is built in to accommodate environmental changes. The backside of the product is spruce and the inner core is finger-jointed pine with quarter sawn vertical graining. Because of this all the expansion will be vertical and won't affect the wear layer of the floor. As for durability, Kahrs guarantees two full professional sands of the product. The finish is an acrylic urethane, which is actually harder than polyurethane and is non-yellowing. Eighty percent of the Kahrs line is natural colors � not stained � which eliminates the problem of the lighter natural color of a dark stained wood showing through with scratches and wear. The installed starting price point is about $8.00 a square foot. Because this is a floating floor expansion is left around the perimeter. A special "T" molding is used to join two like heightness floors and give it a finished look.

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Since 1999 Renovation Experts has helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners locate and hire a local residential remodeling contractor. Renovation Experts is a premium network of over thousands of remodeling contractors, who carry out bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, attic and roof

…integral part of a home's overall roof system. Underlayment provides a vital second layer of protection…
…install the felt paper, synthetic underlayment, or roof shingles. "Self-adhering underlayment works great on low-slope applications…

Underlayment should be nailed to the subfloor plywood and not into the the floor joists below to make the underlayment and subfloor plywood work together uniformly.