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2025 Guide: Top 5 Roof Underlayment Options in Canada β€” Expert-Proven Picks to Protect Your Home

Published on Sunday, August 24, 2025

Roof underlayment serves as a critical protective barrier installed underneath roofing materials, helping to prevent moisture infiltration, enhance energy efficiency, and prolong the lifespan of the roof structure. Available in various types such as felt, synthetic, and rubber, underlayments are essential for ensuring a durable and weather-resistant roofing system. In Canada, consumer preferences center on materials that handle cold climates, ice dam risk, heavy snow loads, and freeze-thaw cycles. Buyers prioritize proven moisture protection, long-term durability, compatibility with common shingle types, straightforward installation, strong warranties, and local code compliance. Cost and environmental concerns also influence choice, with many homeowners weighing upfront price against lifecycle performance and recyclability.

Quick Menu

1. Best Economy Synthetic

2. Best Slip-Resistant Deckshield

3. Best Ice & Water Barrier

4. Best Premium Self-Adhered

5. Best Contractor Favorite Ice & Water

1
BEST ECONOMY SYNTHETIC

GAF FeltBuster Synthetic Roofing Underlayment

GAF FeltBuster Synthetic Roofing Underlayment

GAF FeltBuster is a widely adopted synthetic underlayment that earns its market-leader spot by combining low weight, slip-resistant surface, and broad availability that make large installations faster and more economical than traditional felts. Compared with heavier or self-adhered options on this list, FeltBuster offers clear labor- and material-cost advantages for full-roof coverage while sacrificing some of the peel-and-stick waterproofing performance that products like IKO Stormshield or RESISTO provide.

4.4
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  • Lightweight handling

  • Water-shedding ninja

  • Lightweight handling

  • Water-shedding ninja

Review Summary

88%

"Users report FeltBuster is a lightweight, durable synthetic underlayment that is easy to unroll and fasten, with good slip resistance; a minority note occasional wrinkles or fastener pops on poor substrate. Overall it’s seen as a reliable, cost-effective felt replacement for typical residential roofs."

  • Slip-resistant swagger

  • Lightweight synthetic fabric resists tearing and rot

  • Slip-resistant swagger

  • Lightweight synthetic fabric resists tearing and rot

Increased Safety & Security

Optimized Work Efficiency

Time-Saving Convenience

GAF FeltBuster is a widely adopted synthetic underlayment that earns its market-leader spot by combining low weight, slip-resistant surface, and broad availability that make large installations faster and more economical than traditional felts. Compared with heavier or self-adhered options on this list, FeltBuster offers clear labor- and material-cost advantages for full-roof coverage while sacrificing some of the peel-and-stick waterproofing performance that products like IKO Stormshield or RESISTO provide.

  • Lightweight handling

  • Water-shedding ninja

  • Slip-resistant swagger

  • Lightweight synthetic fabric resists tearing and rot

  • Slip-resistant surface for safer installation

  • Lightweight handling

  • Water-shedding ninja

  • Slip-resistant swagger

  • Lightweight synthetic fabric resists tearing and rot

  • Slip-resistant surface for safer installation

Order Now

$35-80 CAD

2
BEST SLIP-RESISTANT DECKSHIELD

BP Deckshield Roofing Underlayment

BP Deckshield Roofing Underlayment

BP Deckshield positions itself as a premium woven synthetic underlayment favored for high tear-strength and extended UV exposure tolerance, appealing to contractors who need a durable temporary roof surface during long jobs. Financially it typically sits between economical synthetics like GAF FeltBuster and higher-cost self-adhered membranes, delivering a technical balance of tensile strength and cost that outperforms basic felts but doesn’t carry the premium price of full peel-and-stick systems.

4.2
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  • Heavy-duty shield

  • Rolls out fast

  • Heavy-duty shield

  • Rolls out fast

Review Summary

83%

"Reviewers find BP Deckshield provides consistent coverage and good weather protection as a synthetic underlayment, and many installers appreciate its value compared with premium brands; some users mention edge curl or handling issues in extreme temperatures. It’s generally well-regarded for everyday roofing jobs."

  • Grip-to-stay

  • Polymer-synthetic construction delivers high tear strength and UV resistance

  • Grip-to-stay

  • Polymer-synthetic construction delivers high tear strength and UV resistance

Optimized Work Efficiency

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

BP Deckshield positions itself as a premium woven synthetic underlayment favored for high tear-strength and extended UV exposure tolerance, appealing to contractors who need a durable temporary roof surface during long jobs. Financially it typically sits between economical synthetics like GAF FeltBuster and higher-cost self-adhered membranes, delivering a technical balance of tensile strength and cost that outperforms basic felts but doesn’t carry the premium price of full peel-and-stick systems.

  • Heavy-duty shield

  • Rolls out fast

  • Grip-to-stay

  • Polymer-synthetic construction delivers high tear strength and UV resistance

  • Designed to ventilate moisture and reduce condensation risk

  • Heavy-duty shield

  • Rolls out fast

  • Grip-to-stay

  • Polymer-synthetic construction delivers high tear strength and UV resistance

  • Designed to ventilate moisture and reduce condensation risk

Order Now

$60-140 CAD

3
BEST ICE & WATER BARRIER

IKO Stormshield Ice & Water Protector

IKO Stormshield Ice & Water Protector
🏠 Local Product

IKO Stormshield is a self-adhered ice-and-water protector that earns a position as a market staple by providing robust waterproofing at eaves, valleys, and penetrations with strong adhesion even in cold conditions. Technically it rivals RESISTO’s RedZone for watertight performance but is often priced competitively, giving contractors a cost-effective peel-and-stick choice for critical flashings where GAF or BP synthetics would not provide the same level of membrane protection.

4.6
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  • Ice-blocking armor

  • Self-adhering power

  • Ice-blocking armor

  • Self-adhering power

Review Summary

92%

"IKO StormShield receives strong praise for its aggressive adhesion and dependable waterproofing in critical areas (eaves, valleys, penetrations), with contractors calling it effective at preventing leaks; negatives include stickiness that can make positioning difficult and a higher price. Overall it’s considered a top-performing ice-and-water protector."

  • Weatherproof hug

  • Self-adhering rubberized asphalt seals around fasteners to prevent leaks

  • Weatherproof hug

  • Self-adhering rubberized asphalt seals around fasteners to prevent leaks

Increased Safety & Security

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Time-Saving Convenience

IKO Stormshield is a self-adhered ice-and-water protector that earns a position as a market staple by providing robust waterproofing at eaves, valleys, and penetrations with strong adhesion even in cold conditions. Technically it rivals RESISTO’s RedZone for watertight performance but is often priced competitively, giving contractors a cost-effective peel-and-stick choice for critical flashings where GAF or BP synthetics would not provide the same level of membrane protection.

  • Ice-blocking armor

  • Self-adhering power

  • Weatherproof hug

  • Self-adhering rubberized asphalt seals around fasteners to prevent leaks

  • High-tack, durable membrane protects eaves and valleys from ice dams

  • Ice-blocking armor

  • Self-adhering power

  • Weatherproof hug

  • Self-adhering rubberized asphalt seals around fasteners to prevent leaks

  • High-tack, durable membrane protects eaves and valleys from ice dams

Order Now

$120-260 CAD

4
BEST PREMIUM SELF-ADHERED

RESISTO RedZone Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment

RESISTO RedZone Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment
🏠 Local Product

RESISTO RedZone is a high-performance self-adhered membrane valued for exceptional adhesion, elongation, and multi-layer waterproofing characteristics that make it a premium option for harsh climates and complex roof details. While it typically commands a higher upfront material cost than synthetic options like GAF or BP, its technical advantages in long-term leak prevention and cold-temperature application can reduce lifecycle repair expenses compared with non-adhesive underlayments.

4.5
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  • Stick-on confidence

  • High-heat ready

  • Stick-on confidence

  • High-heat ready

Review Summary

89%

"RESISTO RedZone is frequently described as a premium self-adhered membrane with excellent adhesion, flexibility in cold temperatures, and reliable seam performance, favored by pros for detailing; primary complaints are higher cost and occasional availability. Reviews portray it as a high-quality specialty underlayment."

  • Seal-every-gap

  • SBS-modified bitumen provides superior adhesion and waterproofing

  • Seal-every-gap

  • SBS-modified bitumen provides superior adhesion and waterproofing

Increased Safety & Security

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Time-Saving Convenience

RESISTO RedZone is a high-performance self-adhered membrane valued for exceptional adhesion, elongation, and multi-layer waterproofing characteristics that make it a premium option for harsh climates and complex roof details. While it typically commands a higher upfront material cost than synthetic options like GAF or BP, its technical advantages in long-term leak prevention and cold-temperature application can reduce lifecycle repair expenses compared with non-adhesive underlayments.

  • Stick-on confidence

  • High-heat ready

  • Seal-every-gap

  • SBS-modified bitumen provides superior adhesion and waterproofing

  • Formulated for a wide temperature range and extreme weather durability

  • Stick-on confidence

  • High-heat ready

  • Seal-every-gap

  • SBS-modified bitumen provides superior adhesion and waterproofing

  • Formulated for a wide temperature range and extreme weather durability

Order Now

$180-360 CAD

5
BEST CONTRACTOR FAVORITE ICE & WATER

CertainTeed WinterGuard Waterproofing Shingle Underlayment

CertainTeed WinterGuard Waterproofing Shingle Underlayment

CertainTeed WinterGuard is marketed as a contractor-friendly ice-and-water barrier that balances reliable waterproofing with straightforward installation and strong compatibility with CertainTeed roofing systems. It delivers many of the same protective benefits as other self-adhered membranes (e.g., IKO, RESISTO) but is often selected for its cost-to-performance ratio and integrated warranty support when paired with CertainTeed shingles, making it a practical choice where brand-aligned warranty considerations matter.

4.6
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†
  • Winter-proof barrier

  • Clings like a champ

  • Winter-proof barrier

  • Clings like a champ

Review Summary

91%

"CertainTeed WinterGuard is widely praised for its proven waterproofing at eaves and vulnerable roof areas, easy installation, and strong adhesion; some users note challenges in very hot weather or when removing for reroof. It is commonly recommended and trusted by contractors for ice-and-water protection."

  • Leak-stopping mojo

  • Self-adhering rubberized membrane commonly used at eaves and valleys

  • Leak-stopping mojo

  • Self-adhering rubberized membrane commonly used at eaves and valleys

Increased Safety & Security

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Time-Saving Convenience

CertainTeed WinterGuard is marketed as a contractor-friendly ice-and-water barrier that balances reliable waterproofing with straightforward installation and strong compatibility with CertainTeed roofing systems. It delivers many of the same protective benefits as other self-adhered membranes (e.g., IKO, RESISTO) but is often selected for its cost-to-performance ratio and integrated warranty support when paired with CertainTeed shingles, making it a practical choice where brand-aligned warranty considerations matter.

  • Winter-proof barrier

  • Clings like a champ

  • Leak-stopping mojo

  • Self-adhering rubberized membrane commonly used at eaves and valleys

  • Seals around nails and roof penetrations to block water intrusion

  • Winter-proof barrier

  • Clings like a champ

  • Leak-stopping mojo

  • Self-adhering rubberized membrane commonly used at eaves and valleys

  • Seals around nails and roof penetrations to block water intrusion

Order Now

$110-260 CAD

Why Underlayment Matters - Evidence and Research

Building science research and laboratory testing consistently show that properly selected and installed underlayment reduces water intrusion, minimizes damage from ice dams, and contributes to roof longevity. Tests conducted to recognized industry standards evaluate properties such as water holdout, tensile strength, tear resistance, and adhesion for self-adhered membranes. Canadian building authorities and industry best practices emphasize the role of underlayment in protecting roof decks during severe weather and in transitional periods before final roof covering is applied.

Synthetic underlayments typically outperform traditional asphalt-saturated felt in tear resistance, tensile strength, and UV tolerance in standardized lab tests.

Ice-and-water protector membranes provide targeted protection at eaves, valleys, and penetrations and have been shown to reduce leak incidents in ice dam-prone zones.

Self-adhered rubberized membranes create a more consistent waterproof seal around fasteners and flashings compared to non-adhered underlayments, according to product performance data and manufacturer testing.

Proper installation is critical: research and field reports indicate that installation errors and poor flashing details are leading causes of premature roof failures, not just material choice.

Energy and moisture control studies highlight that underlayments alone do not replace proper ventilation and insulation, but they form an important layer in a comprehensive roofing system.

In the Canadian context, choosing the right underlayment means balancing weather resilience, installation method, and long-term value. The five options profiled here each address common Canadian needs: GAF FeltBuster Synthetic Roofing Underlayment offers a balanced, widely available synthetic solution; BP Deckshield Roofing Underlayment targets strong adhesion and weather resistance; IKO Stormshield Ice & Water Protector focuses on critical eave and valley protection; RESISTO RedZone Self-Adhered Roofing Underlayment delivers durable self-adhesion for harsh conditions; and CertainTeed WinterGuard Waterproofing Shingle Underlayment is designed for reliable ice-dam defense. For most Canadian homeowners seeking an all-around performer that pairs proven protection with broad installer support, GAF FeltBuster Synthetic Roofing Underlayment is the best choice among these options. We hope you found what you were looking for β€” you can refine or expand your search using the search box to compare features, warranties, and local availability.

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