M&M contractor assessment
A strong fit for approved full-roof asphalt-shingle systems
We use Polystick IR-Xe direct to the prepared wood deck on compatible shingle reroofs because it creates a continuous adhered underlayment layer. Its value comes from the complete permitted assembly and careful installation—not from the product name alone.
- M&M use
- Full-roof, direct-to-deck underlayment for approved shingle systems
- Best feature
- A continuous self-adhered ASTM D1970 layer at the roof deck
- Florida SWR
- May support the fully adhered sealed-roof-deck option when verified
- Main caution
- Deck preparation, ventilation, laps, rolling and backnailing matter
Direct-to-deck installation
What IR-Xe Looks Like Before the Shingles Cover It
These M&M photos show the membrane installed beside exposed plywood. They document the direct-to-deck sequence and covered backnailing detail, but a photograph by itself does not establish every approval, code or insurance condition.
Product construction
What Polystick IR-Xe Is
Polyglass describes IR-Xe as a granulated, self-adhered ice-and- water protection underlayment made specifically for shingle roof coverings. Its ADESO dual-compound construction combines a polymer-modified bitumen upper compound with a proprietary self-adhesive SBS compound below.
The rubberized asphalt is reported to seal around correctly installed nails. That is useful under mechanically attached shingles, but it should not be translated into a promise that every roof penetration is watertight.
- 1
Granular top surface
Mineral aggregate is intended to improve walkability and supports the listed 90-day maximum exposure period.
- 2
Polymer-modified bitumen upper compound
Forms the weathering side of the underlayment beneath the finished asphalt shingles.
- 3
Fiberglass reinforcement
Provides the internal reinforcement identified in both the product data and Miami-Dade approval.
- 4
Self-adhesive SBS bottom compound
Bonds to an approved prepared substrate after the split release film is removed and pressure is applied.
Product data
Polystick IR-Xe Specifications That Matter on a Shingle Roof
Roll and application data
- Primary use
- Under asphalt shingle roof coverings
- Roll size
- 65 ft 4 in × 36 in
- Coverage
- Approx. 180 sq. ft. net / 195 sq. ft. gross
- Roll weight
- Approx. 48 lb
- PDS thickness
- 52 mil nominal (1.3 mm)
- Current NOA product row
- 60 mil; ASTM D1970
- Maximum exposure
- 90 days, or less when limited by the AHJ
- Application temperature
- Air, deck and membrane at 40°F and rising
- Factory side lap
- 3 in
- End lap
- Minimum 6 in
Manufacturer-reported test values
- Adhesion to plywood at 40°F
- 2.0 lbf/ft minimum
- Adhesion to plywood at 75°F
- 12.0 lbf/ft minimum
- Tear resistance
- 89 N (20 lbf) minimum
- Moisture-vapor permeability
- 0.1 perm maximum
- Nail sealability
- ASTM D1970: pass
- Lap-seam waterproof integrity
- ASTM D1970: pass
These are product-sheet values, not a whole-roof wind rating. The final shingle assembly, roof zones and project design pressures still control.
Why do the thickness documents differ?
The August 2026 product data sheet lists 52 mil nominal thickness, while the current Miami-Dade NOA product row lists 60 mil. We do not blend those into a made-up average. The supplied roll, permitted assembly and current project submittal should be checked for a specific roof.
Current Florida form
Can Direct-to-Deck IR-Xe Support an SWR Credit?
Potentially—when the complete installed condition is verified. Section 8 of OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) lists fully adhered polymer-modified bitumen roofing underlayment complying with ASTM D1970 as one Sealed Roof Deck/Secondary Water Resistance method.
IR-Xe is listed to ASTM D1970, and M&M typically applies it directly to an approved prepared deck for compatible shingle roofs. A qualified inspector must document the feature, and the insurer determines any windstorm-premium credit under its approved rating plan.
Keep evidence before the shingles conceal it
The current form requires at least one photograph or document supporting each marked mitigation attribute. For an underlayment that disappears beneath shingles, a complete job record is the safest approach.
- Photos showing the exposed roof deck and full-roof membrane installation
- Product wrapper, label or roll markings identifying Polystick IR-Xe
- Contract or invoice that names the installed underlayment
- Roofing permit, final inspection and applicable product approvals
- Completed OIR-B1-1802 report from a qualified wind-mitigation inspector
The discount is not a fixed percentage attached to IR-Xe. It can vary with the insurer, policy, property and other verified wind-mitigation features.
Polystick IR-Xe vs. #30 Felt Underlayment
Both can be used beneath asphalt shingles in an approved system, but they do not attach, seal or enter Florida's SWR form in the same way. This comparison uses ASTM D226 Type II as the reference for traditional #30 felt.
First, check the standard—not only the “#30” nickname
ASTM identifies Type II as the material commonly called No. 30 asphalt felt. Product labels and approvals still matter because “#30 felt” is often used loosely in estimates. For a fair comparison, confirm the roll is actually labeled ASTM D226 Type II and approved for the proposed roof assembly.
| Comparison point | Polystick IR-Xe | #30 felt — ASTM D226 Type II |
|---|---|---|
| Product standard | Self-adhered polymer-modified bitumen underlayment listed to ASTM D1970. | For this comparison, a felt product specifically labeled ASTM D226 Type II—the type ASTM says is commonly called No. 30 asphalt felt. |
| Contact with the roof deck | Adhesive bonds across the approved, clean and dry deck; covered backnailing can still be required by the assembly. | Laid in courses and mechanically attached with approved capped fasteners and required laps; it is not bonded across the full deck. |
| Published roll size and weight | 65 ft 4 in × 36 in, approximately 48 lb and 180 sq. ft. net coverage—about 26.7 lb per 100 sq. ft. of net coverage. | One published ASTM D226 Type II example is 36 in × 216 sq. ft. and 56 lb—about 25.9 lb per 100 sq. ft. Actual #30-felt products vary, so compare the exact rolls rather than assuming IR-Xe is lighter per square. |
| Nail-sealing classification | Polyglass reports a passing ASTM D1970 nail-sealability result, along with passing lap-waterproof-integrity results. | ASTM D226 Type II is not the ASTM D1970 nail-sealability classification; performance depends on the complete lapped and fastened roof assembly. |
| Florida SWR treatment | May support the fully adhered ASTM D1970 option when the installed condition is approved, documented and verified. | One standard felt layer alone does not qualify. The current form separately recognizes two qualifying layers of ASTM D226 Type II felt. |
| Temporary exposure | The current IR-Xe data allows up to 90 days, or less when the authority having jurisdiction requires it. | Do not assume a long exposure window. A current Florida #30-felt approval says to install the primary roof covering immediately and says felt is not an unprotected weathering surface. |
| Installation tradeoff | Usually higher material cost and more demanding deck preparation, alignment and pressure for full contact. | Usually lower material cost and familiar handling, but requires a compliant cap-fastener pattern; a second layer or seam tape changes labor and material needs. |
| M&M's typical shingle-roof use | Our preferred direct-to-deck option when the permitted shingle assembly, deck and ventilation conditions allow it. | A possible code-compliant underlayment when the approved assembly calls for it, but not a like-for-like replacement for a fully adhered SWR strategy. |
M&M's practical conclusion
Why we prefer IR-Xe for our direct-to-deck shingle system
It gives us a continuous adhesive bond at the prepared deck, documented ASTM D1970 nail-sealability performance and a direct route to the fully adhered SWR category when the complete installation qualifies. #30 felt can be compliant, but one mechanically fastened layer is not the same assembly.
Important Florida distinction
Single-layer felt and double-layer felt are not equivalent
The current OIR-B1-1802 says standard underlayment alone does not qualify as SWR. It separately lists a properly installed two-layer ASTM D226 Type II felt system as a potential sealed roof deck method, subject to evidence and qualified inspection.
Benefits and Tradeoffs
Why M&M uses it
- Full-surface adhesion places a continuous bonded water-shedding layer at the prepared deck.
- Polyglass reports ASTM D1970 passing results for nail sealability, lap waterproofing and slip resistance.
- The mineral surface provides jobsite traction while the roof is being installed, although it is not slip-proof.
- A split release film lets installers position and adhere manageable sections of membrane.
- The current Miami-Dade approval includes an IR-Xe direct-to-deck wood assembly for compatible non-tile roof coverings.
Where the assembly needs care
- It is purpose-built for shingle assemblies and should not be treated as a universal tile, metal or high-temperature underlayment.
- The substrate, air and membrane must be dry and at least 40°F and rising at application.
- Backnailing can still be required, so a direct-to-deck IR-Xe assembly is not fastener-free.
- Full-roof use requires ventilation review; radiant-barrier sheathing or nonventilated attics can create double-vapor-barrier concerns.
- The membrane must be covered within 90 days or sooner when required by the authority having jurisdiction.
Installation controls
What Makes a Direct-to-Deck Installation Work
The self-adhered membrane does not correct a damp, dirty or unsuitable roof deck. The current PDS and NOA put real emphasis on preparation, laps, pressure, covered fasteners and the approved final roof system.
- 1Confirm the shingle, deck and underlayment combination in the current permitted assembly.
- 2Replace or refasten unsuitable decking and remove protruding fasteners, dust, moisture and debris.
- 3Start low on the roof and maintain the specified 3-inch side laps and 6-inch end laps.
- 4Apply firm, even pressure and roll or broom the field and laps for full contact.
- 5Use covered backnailing where the current approval, code and roof slope require it.
- 6Photograph the bare deck, labeled product and installed membrane before shingles conceal the work.
Read the NOA correctly
What the Current Miami-Dade Approval Does—and Does Not—Prove
Miami-Dade NOA 25-0121.12, approved March 20, 2025 and expiring September 13, 2027, lists Polystick IR-Xe as an ASTM D1970, self-adhering underlayment for sloped roof assemblies. System F(1) shows it adhered directly to a non-insulated 19/32-inch wood deck and backnailed with specified ring-shank fasteners and metal caps at a maximum 12 inches on center.
The approval lists asphalt shingles among the compatible roof coverings under its general limitations and expressly excludes tile roofing from the IR-Xe direct-deck F(1) assembly. The roof covering's own current approval must also list a compatible underlayment assembly.
IR-Xe does not have a universal psf roof rating.
A nearby −82.5 psf value in the NOA belongs to a different underlayment assembly that does not list IR-Xe. It should not be borrowed as an IR-Xe performance number.
Documented M&M experience
IR-Xe Beneath a Deerfield Beach Shingle Roof
M&M's Deerfield Beach project record identifies Polystick IR-Xe beneath GAF Timberline asphalt shingles in Shakewood. The project page intentionally limits its claims to the products and facts documented for that roof.
Real Deerfield Beach Project
GAF Timberline Shingle Roof in Shakewood
View this completed asphalt shingle roof replacement and the documented Polystick IR-Xe underlayment and Timberline shingle product details.
View the Deerfield Beach case studyPolystick IR-Xe FAQs
Does Polystick IR-Xe qualify as secondary water resistance in Florida?
It may. Florida's current OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) lists fully adhered polymer-modified bitumen roofing underlayment complying with ASTM D1970 as one Sealed Roof Deck/SWR method. IR-Xe is identified as ASTM D1970 in its product data and current Miami-Dade approval, but the installed assembly still needs supporting evidence and verification by a qualified inspector.
Does direct-to-deck IR-Xe guarantee an insurance discount?
No. A qualifying, documented installation can support the SWR entry on a wind-mitigation form. The qualified inspector records the feature and the insurer decides which credit is available under its approved rating plan. No product or roofer can promise a specific premium reduction.
Why does M&M install Polystick IR-Xe directly to the roof deck?
For compatible asphalt-shingle assemblies, direct adhesion creates a continuous bonded layer at the deck instead of relying only on a mechanically fastened sheet. It also aligns with the fully adhered ASTM D1970 method on Florida's current SWR form when every installation and documentation condition is met.
Is Polystick IR-Xe better than synthetic underlayment?
It is a different assembly choice. IR-Xe provides a full-surface adhesive bond and manufacturer-reported nail sealing, while many synthetic underlayments are lighter and mechanically fastened. Florida's current SWR form also recognizes certain taped-seam and double-layer felt or synthetic systems, so product type alone does not decide the best permitted roof assembly.
Is Polystick IR-Xe better than #30 felt under shingles?
For M&M's typical approved direct-to-deck asphalt-shingle assembly, we prefer IR-Xe because it bonds across the prepared deck, is listed to ASTM D1970 and has manufacturer-reported nail-sealability results. ASTM D226 Type II—commonly called #30 felt—can still be a compliant mechanically fastened underlayment in the right assembly, but one standard layer does not provide the same fully adhered Sealed Roof Deck/SWR path. Florida's current form separately recognizes a qualifying double-layer felt system when every material, installation and documentation condition is met.
Can Polystick IR-Xe be installed over old shingles?
No. The current Polyglass product data says not to apply IR-Xe directly over existing shingles or other roof coverings. The substrate must be approved, dry, clean and properly prepared.
How long can Polystick IR-Xe remain exposed?
Polyglass and the current Miami-Dade NOA list a maximum exposure period of 90 days, or less if the authority having jurisdiction imposes a shorter limit. It is temporary underlayment exposure—not a finished roof or a target construction schedule.
Is a Polystick IR-Xe roof fastener-free?
No. Backnailing can be required by the approved assembly and roof slope, and the asphalt shingles are mechanically attached through the underlayment. IR-Xe's ASTM D1970 nail-sealability result does not make every penetration automatically watertight.
What records should a homeowner keep for the SWR inspection?
Keep jobsite photos showing the bare deck and membrane installation, product labels or roll markings, the contract or invoice naming Polystick IR-Xe, permit and final-inspection records, and the applicable product approval. The current Florida form requires proof for each marked mitigation attribute, and an insurer may request more.
Can Polystick IR-Xe be used under tile or metal roofing?
This review does not recommend it for those roof coverings. Polyglass describes IR-Xe as a shingle underlayment, and the current Miami-Dade direct-to-deck IR-Xe assembly expressly excludes tile roofing. The approved roof-covering assembly and its current product approval control.
Official Technical Sources
These sources were checked August 27, 2026. Approval status, product data, code requirements and insurance forms can change, so a specific roof should be reviewed against its current permit and policy documents.
- Polyglass Polystick IR-Xe product page
- Polyglass Polystick IR-Xe product data sheet (08/26)
- Miami-Dade NOA 25-0121.12 — Polystick underlayments
- Florida OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) wind-mitigation form
- Florida Rule 69O-170.0155 — current form adoption
- Florida Statute 627.0629 — wind-mitigation rate filings
- ICC-ES ESR-1697 independent evaluation report
- ASTM D226/D226M-25 — No. 30 asphalt felt classification
- Florida Building Code 8th Edition — roof underlayment methods
- Florida Product Approval FL2346-R9 — #15 and #30 roofing felt
- G.A.P. ASTM D226 Type II felt — representative product data