Best Synthetic Roof Underlayment: CertainTeed vs GAF vs Owens Corning
- Staff
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
When homeowners research roofing materials, most of the attention goes to shingles. However, one of the most important components of a roofing system is the synthetic underlayment installed beneath those shingles.
Roof underlayment protects the roof deck from moisture, adds an extra waterproof barrier, and protects the home if shingles are blown off during storms.
For homeowners in Harford County and surrounding areas like Baltimore County, Cecil County, Carroll County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, understanding underlayment options can help you make a better decision when replacing your roof.
Most major roofing manufacturers offer multiple tiers of synthetic underlayment. The three biggest brands in the industry are CertainTeed, GAF, and Owens Corning.
Below is a comparison of several popular synthetic underlayments from each company.
Synthetic Underlayment Comparison Chart
Tier | CertainTeed | GAF | Owens Corning | Best For |
Entry-Level Synthetic | RoofRunner | FeltBuster | Deck Defense | Budget roof replacements |
Mid-Grade Synthetic | RoofRunner Air | Tiger Paw | ProArmor | Most residential roofs |
Premium / Breathable Synthetic | Diamond Deck | Deck-Armor | RhinoRoof | Complex roofs or moisture management |
Entry-Level Synthetic Underlayments
Entry-level synthetic underlayments are designed to replace traditional roofing felt while keeping costs low.
These products are lightweight and provide better durability than felt paper.
CertainTeed RoofRunner
RoofRunner is CertainTeed’s entry-level synthetic underlayment. It provides improved tear resistance compared to traditional felt and helps protect the roof deck during installation.
Best For: Standard residential roof replacements where affordability is important.
Comparable Products: RoofRunner is CertainTeed’s version of GAF FeltBuster and Owens Corning Deck Defense.
GAF FeltBuster
FeltBuster is GAF’s basic synthetic underlayment and one of the most commonly installed entry-level underlayments in the roofing industry.
Best For: Budget-friendly roof replacements.
Comparable Products: FeltBuster is GAF’s equivalent to CertainTeed RoofRunner and Owens Corning Deck Defense.
Owens Corning Deck Defense
Deck Defense is Owens Corning’s entry-level synthetic underlayment designed to replace traditional felt.
Best For: Standard asphalt shingle installations.
Comparable Products: Deck Defense is Owens Corning’s version of CertainTeed RoofRunner and GAF FeltBuster.
Mid-Grade Synthetic Underlayments
Mid-grade synthetic underlayments offer stronger tear resistance and improved traction for installers.
These are the products most roofing contractors install on typical residential roofs.
CertainTeed RoofRunner Air
RoofRunner is CertainTeed’s mid-grade synthetic underlayment. It allows moisture vapor to escape from the roof deck while still protecting against water intrusion.
Best For: Most residential roof replacements, especially those with existing or potential moisture issues.
Comparable Products: RoofRunner Air is CertainTeed’s equivalent to GAF Tiger Paw and Owens Corning ProArmor.
GAF Tiger Paw
Tiger Paw is one of the most widely used synthetic underlayments in the roofing industry. It is known for its durability, walkability, and strong tear resistance.
Best For: Typical residential roofing projects.
Comparable Products: Tiger Paw is GAF’s version of CertainTeed RoofRunner Air and Owens Corning ProArmor.
Owens Corning ProArmor
ProArmor is Owens Corning’s mid-tier synthetic underlayment designed to provide better durability than entry-level products.
Best For: Most asphalt shingle roofs where contractors want a stronger underlayment.
Comparable Products: ProArmor is Owens Corning’s equivalent to CertainTeed RoofRunner Air and GAF Tiger Paw.
Premium Synthetic Underlayments
Premium underlayments provide the highest level of durability and weather protection.
These products are often used on steep roofs, large roofs, or complex roof systems.
CertainTeed Diamond Deck
DiamondDeck is CertainTeed’s premium synthetic underlayment. It's the thickest, most durable underlayment offered by CertainTeed, and it's practically untearable. It also provides excellent traction for walkability.
Best For: Homes with specialty shingles or roofs with previous decking issues, customers who want the best of the best.
Comparable Products: RoofRunner Air is CertainTeed’s equivalent to GAF Deck-Armor and Owens Corning RhinoRoof.
GAF Deck-Armor
Deck-Armor is GAF’s premium breathable synthetic underlayment designed to allow moisture vapor to escape while preventing water from penetrating the roof deck.
Best For: Homes where moisture management is important.
Comparable Products: Deck-Armor is GAF’s version of CertainTeed RoofRunner Air and Owens Corning RhinoRoof.
Owens Corning RhinoRoof
RhinoRoof is GAF’s heavier-duty synthetic roofing underlayment designed to provide stronger tear resistance and better durability than entry-level synthetics. It is thicker than FeltBuster and built to withstand jobsite traffic and wind exposure while the roof is under construction. RhinoRoof is commonly used on residential asphalt shingle roofs where installers want a tougher underlayment without moving all the way to GAF’s breathable Deck-Armor system.
Best For: Standard residential roof replacements where stronger underlayment durability is desired, especially on larger roofs or projects where the roof deck may be exposed during installation.
Comparable Products: RhinoRoof is most comparable to CertainTeed DiamondDeck and GAF Deck-Armor
A Little-Known Roofing Industry Secret
One interesting fact that many homeowners do not realize is that most synthetic underlayments are actually manufactured by only a few companies.
A large portion of the roofing industry’s synthetic underlayments are produced by manufacturers such as:
Carlisle Construction Materials
InterWrap
VaproShield
Because of this, many brand-name underlayments are very similar in composition. The main differences usually come down to:
weight
surface coating
traction for installers
UV exposure rating
branding and warranty systems
That means products from CertainTeed, GAF, and Owens Corning within the same tier often perform very similarly.
What Synthetic Underlayment Do Most Roofers Use?
For most residential roofs in Harford County and surrounding Maryland counties, mid-grade synthetic underlayments provide the best balance between durability and cost.
Some of the most commonly installed products include:
CertainTeed RoofRunner
GAF Tiger Paw
Owens Corning ProArmor
These products offer strong protection without the added cost of premium underlayments.
Choosing the Right Underlayment for Your Roof
The best underlayment for your roof depends on several factors including roof size, roof complexity, installation timeline, and budget.
Entry-level underlayments work well for budget projects. Mid-grade underlayments are the most common choice for residential roofs. Premium breathable underlayments are typically used on larger or more complex roofs where moisture management is important.
If you are replacing your roof in Harford County, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Carroll County, Howard County, or Anne Arundel County, Frederick County or Montgomery County, MD, or in Chester County, Lancaster County or York County, PA, we can help determine which underlayment makes the most sense for your home.
Call us today at (877) 846-9556 or schedule your free roof consultation online.
Want a roof quote right now? Get an instant roof estimate in minutes. Try our Instant Roof Quote Calculator. Just answer a few questions, enter your address and get your real quote- instantly!
