Folks posting here about their solar roof installs have all mentioned Firestone SA-FR being used for underlayment. I just read this story about problems with a new underlayment: Tesla Solar Roof buyer left without roof and tarps over his house after 2-month-long nightmare - Electrek . Has anyone here with a solar roof had something other than Firestone used? In case this is something left up to the installers, I'd be particularly interested in hearing from @dhquigley about which underlayment his installers used since I will likely have the same installers.
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Solar Roof Underlayment Change?
- Thread starter trautmane2
- Start date
They used the Firestone SA-FR. And then I used some of it to put down around the foundation to protect it from those rains.
I may still have a piece in my garage. I cannot imagine those guys using anything else. They spoke really highly of it and it looked pretty easy to work with.I assume that if it is effective and easy to install, that means it is expensive, so I can guess why somebody at Tesla might have thought they could save money and use something else. But, it looks like that something else wasn't up to the job, which really sucks for the owner who was enthusiastic about the project, at least initially. It seems trying it out on one of their largest jobs as opposed to a smaller one - plus in Florida during the peak of a record-breaking hurricane season - was not the best decision.They used the Firestone SA-FR. And then I used some of it to put down around the foundation to protect it from those rains.
It's weird because in the photo it looks like mine. I know I looked up the various grades right when it arrived on the truck and was pleased to see this was the premium barrier. Looks like they used the "value" one. Not sure it would "reseal" the same way as one with twice as many layers of both metal and rubber. Apparently it does not.
Yeah - the photo resolution isn't quite good enough to zoom in and read the labels, but it sure looks similar from a distance.
https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/IMG_0524.jpg
Looking at that image from the article, at full size, it is definitely the Firestone SA-FR.
Yes, at least on that part. Did they run out and they try using that crappy thin looking gray material? Is that the problem. In a later picture, it almost looks like they have solar tiles over just the gray stuff. No white Firestone underlay.
Yeah - I commented about this article in the other place it was posted that it is unclear if that picture is out of sequence (since it sounds like they are re-doing it with the Firestone) or they originally used different materials for different parts of the roof.
For others who come across this thread later, there is a related discussion on this thread that is interesting:
Solar Roof Installation Tips
Solar Roof Installation Tips
Thanks, trautmane2. I’ll attach pictures here as well, so no need to go to the other post.
Tear off and OSB placement is complete on our Solar Roof. We are awaiting inspection.
The first truck dropped what the subcontractor said was double the Firestone underlayment. This was just after Tesla attempted to renegotiate the cost of the roof after an onsite inspection during tear off.
Then today, a truck dropped off ANOTHER set of underlayment from FT Synthetics. The driver said this is the new underlayment and claimed it was superior to the Firestone.SA-FR. I am attaching pictures of both as well as a link to the company for the new underlayment. I can only assume that the “Cobalt” from label is the same as the Cobalt Ultra 2 on the FT Synthetics website.
We’ve not yet been assigned a project manager, but we will certainly be having a conversation with he/she when we do. I wish we knew what underlayment was used in that Florida project.
Tear off and OSB placement is complete on our Solar Roof. We are awaiting inspection.
The first truck dropped what the subcontractor said was double the Firestone underlayment. This was just after Tesla attempted to renegotiate the cost of the roof after an onsite inspection during tear off.
Then today, a truck dropped off ANOTHER set of underlayment from FT Synthetics. The driver said this is the new underlayment and claimed it was superior to the Firestone.SA-FR. I am attaching pictures of both as well as a link to the company for the new underlayment. I can only assume that the “Cobalt” from label is the same as the Cobalt Ultra 2 on the FT Synthetics website.
We’ve not yet been assigned a project manager, but we will certainly be having a conversation with he/she when we do. I wish we knew what underlayment was used in that Florida project.
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I am in Central Florida (Orlando area) and I’m just a few days from stating a Tesla roof install. They quoted Firestone roof material, I wonder if they will try an substitute another type.
I also got a generic email asking me to re sign the quote, they have raised my price from $72k to over $80k without any explanation. No one will return a phone call or respond to email. I was able to text the Tesla employee that did the on-site inspection Oct 1st 2020, he has no clue and asked me to email him the “details”. Still no response from Tesla.
Their solar sales process is a nightmare. I started the process a full year ago.
I also got a generic email asking me to re sign the quote, they have raised my price from $72k to over $80k without any explanation. No one will return a phone call or respond to email. I was able to text the Tesla employee that did the on-site inspection Oct 1st 2020, he has no clue and asked me to email him the “details”. Still no response from Tesla.
Their solar sales process is a nightmare. I started the process a full year ago.
Reposting from another thread here, since both threads are dealing with this topic:
Just spoke with the lead of the Tesla team that did my install a few weeks ago. He said they had not received the new underlayment at that time but I got the impression they are using it now. Said they made the switch for two reasons: 1. They do not need to overlap and can put it down in single ply; and 2. It has a texture on it to allow them to move around easier. I think we had guessed the second reason. The first one probably saves them some money and may give a more uniform look on top of it. Asked about the "no residential use" issue. Will post any response there.
Just spoke with the lead of the Tesla team that did my install a few weeks ago. He said they had not received the new underlayment at that time but I got the impression they are using it now. Said they made the switch for two reasons: 1. They do not need to overlap and can put it down in single ply; and 2. It has a texture on it to allow them to move around easier. I think we had guessed the second reason. The first one probably saves them some money and may give a more uniform look on top of it. Asked about the "no residential use" issue. Will post any response there.
Just to confirm the above, I also spoke with the roofing company that did our (Firestone) underlay install. They mentioned they had just been transitioned to the new underlay, and talked about less cost and less material (one layer), as well as quicker install with less labor. Also told me not to get caught up in the commercial / residential distinction. If anything, the commercial may provide premium protection for a residential setting, and is probably based on California specs being applied elsewhere. The Tesla person also said that the Firestone product is commonly used on residential settings, and he has heard no issues with it in over two years of installs. Long story short, looks like they get better timing with the switch, less material, less cost, and less slipping around. Likely helps them bring this to more people, so a good thing.
Copying this from the “Solar Roof Installation Tips” post:
Solar Roof Installation Tips
“The sub showed up only to collect his gear and supplies after stating they would install the underlayment. Tesla showed up shortly after with a crew of six saying they would take over. This team is only here to install the underlayment.
Spoke to the crew chief(not our PM) regarding the underlayment. He stated that he thought the FT was UL rated and would take a closer look at his spec sheet.
Called FT Synthetics. The fellow I spoke to said the FT COLBALT FR is not the Colbalt Ultra. The FT COLBALT FR is a Tesla specific product and is UL-rated. I should have figured out that the FR means fire rated.”
Solar Roof Installation Tips
“The sub showed up only to collect his gear and supplies after stating they would install the underlayment. Tesla showed up shortly after with a crew of six saying they would take over. This team is only here to install the underlayment.
Spoke to the crew chief(not our PM) regarding the underlayment. He stated that he thought the FT was UL rated and would take a closer look at his spec sheet.
Called FT Synthetics. The fellow I spoke to said the FT COLBALT FR is not the Colbalt Ultra. The FT COLBALT FR is a Tesla specific product and is UL-rated. I should have figured out that the FR means fire rated.”
Anyone want to see what the new underlayment looks like?
It’s branded with Tesla, so that corroborates with FT Synthetics account about it being custom for Tesla.
It’s fabric...and it’s thick. I’m no roofing expert, but after seeing the new underlayment up close, I am not concerned with the new underlayment.
It’s branded with Tesla, so that corroborates with FT Synthetics account about it being custom for Tesla.
It’s fabric...and it’s thick. I’m no roofing expert, but after seeing the new underlayment up close, I am not concerned with the new underlayment.
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Yeah - this definitely fits with Tesla's general philosophy. I'm still waiting for some of the other big items - Tesla inverters and Tesla panels.
