Roofing Products · Ice & Water Shield
Ice & Water Shield Roof Protection
Ice & water shield is a self-adhered waterproofing membrane installed in the most vulnerable areas of your roof, designed to seal around fasteners and reinforce the spots where leaks are most likely to start.
This is one of the roofing materials we choose to use as part of a full roof system. It is not the visible finished roof, but it plays a major role under the shingles at eaves, valleys, penetrations, and other high-risk areas.
Why This Product Is Listed Here
We use ice & water shield because leak protection starts under the shingles.
A roof is not protected by shingles alone. The most common leak-prone areas are the spots where water slows down, backs up, concentrates, or meets a roof detail. Ice & water shield is used to reinforce those areas before the finished roofing is installed.
It bonds to the roof deck
Unlike loose underlayment, ice & water shield adheres directly to the deck so it can help protect high-risk areas under the finished roofing.
It helps seal around nails
One of the reasons this material matters is its ability to help seal around roofing fasteners in the vulnerable areas where it is installed.
It goes where leaks usually start
Eaves, valleys, penetrations, skylights, chimneys, and wall transitions are the areas where extra waterproofing matters most.
It supports the full roof assembly
Ice & water shield is not a standalone fix. It works together with shingles, flashing, valleys, ventilation, starter, drip edge, and proper roof detailing.
Preferred Ice & Water Shield Products
Different peel-and-stick products have different roles.
We generally use ice & water shield in the vulnerable areas of the roof, but not every project needs the exact same membrane. Standard shingle roof details, high-temperature applications, steeper slopes, metal accents, complex transitions, and project-specific requirements can all affect the product choice.
Product availability, roll sizes, exposure ratings, warranty terms, manufacturer requirements, and accessory compatibility can change by supplier and market. Final product selection should always be confirmed during estimating and material ordering.
Preferred standard membrane
IKO StormShield
IKO StormShield is the ice & water shield product we commonly use as part of our sloped asphalt shingle roof systems. It is a self-adhered waterproofing membrane installed beneath shingles in vulnerable areas where water backup, wind-driven rain, ice damming, or roof penetrations can create higher leak risk.
Standard sloped asphalt shingle roof replacements where the roof needs proper protection at eaves, valleys, penetrations, and other leak-prone roof details.
High-temp peel-and-stick membrane
Roofnado LapLock PSU
Roofnado LapLock PSU is a high-temperature, self-adhered roofing underlayment used when a project calls for a tougher peel-and-stick membrane with stronger overlap control. Its main advantage is the lap-locking design, which is intended to create a more secure seal where courses overlap.
Projects that need a higher-spec peel-and-stick underlayment, especially where overlap sealing, high-temperature exposure, steep-slope work, metal accents, or premium roof assemblies are part of the discussion.
Peel-and-stick synthetic underlayment
Roofnado AnchorDeck PSU
Roofnado AnchorDeck PSU is a peel-and-stick synthetic roofing underlayment option used for sloped roof applications where self-adhered protection and installation handling are important. It is another product that may be considered when the roof design, slope, material package, or project specification calls for something beyond a basic membrane.
Roofs where a peel-and-stick synthetic underlayment is preferred for vulnerable-area coverage, installer walkability, roof complexity, or a specific product requirement in the roof system.
Where We Use It
Ice & water shield belongs in the vulnerable roof zones.
The goal is targeted protection. We use it where the roof has the highest chance of water entry, not as a substitute for good workmanship, proper flashing, or correct roof design.
Eaves and lower roof edges
The lower edge of the roof is where backed-up water and ice-dam pressure can become a problem, so it is one of the most important areas for membrane protection.
Valleys
Valleys handle more water than normal roof planes. Ice & water shield helps protect below the valley system before valley metal and shingles are installed.
Roof penetrations
Plumbing stacks, vents, exhaust hoods, skylights, and similar openings are natural leak-risk points. Membrane protection gives these areas another layer of defense.
Walls, dormers, and chimneys
Where the roof meets a wall or vertical surface, the detail work matters. Ice & water shield can help reinforce those transitions beneath the flashing system.
Low-slope and complex details
Some roof sections need more membrane coverage because water moves slower, snow sits longer, or the shingle system needs extra support from the underlayment assembly.
What It Does Not Replace
Ice & water shield is important, but it is not a shortcut for a proper roof system.
This product adds protection in the right places, but it cannot make up for bad flashing, poor ventilation, weak decking, sloppy nailing, or a roof design that is not being handled correctly.
It does not replace flashing
Step flashing, headwall flashing, backpans, counter flashing, pipe flashings, and valley metal still need to be installed correctly.
It does not replace ventilation
Attic ventilation, intake, exhaust balance, and heat control still matter because ice damming often starts with roof temperature problems.
It does not replace underlayment
Synthetic underlayment still covers the main roof field. Ice & water shield is for vulnerable waterproofing zones, not the only layer on every roof.
It does not replace workmanship
The membrane only works as well as the preparation, layout, laps, temperature conditions, and surrounding roof details allow it to.
Product Page FAQ
Clear answers about ice & water shield.
What ice & water shield do you generally use?
IKO StormShield is the standard ice & water shield product we commonly use on sloped shingle roof systems. Roofnado LapLock PSU and Roofnado AnchorDeck PSU may also be considered when the project calls for a higher-spec peel-and-stick underlayment, high-temperature performance, steeper slope handling, or a specific product requirement.
Is ice & water shield the same as synthetic underlayment?
No. Synthetic underlayment is typically used across the broader roof field, while ice & water shield is a self-adhered waterproofing membrane used in higher-risk areas such as eaves, valleys, and penetrations.
When would Roofnado LapLock PSU make sense?
Roofnado LapLock PSU may make sense when the roof needs a higher-spec peel-and-stick product with stronger overlap control, high-temperature suitability, steep-slope handling, metal details, or more demanding roof-system requirements.
When would Roofnado AnchorDeck PSU make sense?
Roofnado AnchorDeck PSU may be considered when a self-adhered synthetic underlayment is preferred for vulnerable roof areas, installer walkability, roof complexity, or a specific project requirement.
Do you install ice & water shield over the whole roof?
Not normally. Most roofs use targeted coverage in vulnerable areas. Full or expanded coverage may be considered on certain low-slope sections, complex roofs, shaded areas, or projects with special requirements.
Does ice & water shield stop every leak?
No. It adds important protection, but it is not a guarantee against every leak. Flashing, roof design, ventilation, deck condition, shingle installation, and drainage all still matter.
Why is it used at eaves?
Eaves are vulnerable because water can back up at the lower roof edge during freeze-thaw cycles or heavy weather. Ice & water shield gives that lower roof section an added waterproofing layer beneath the shingles.
Why is it used in valleys?
Valleys carry more water than a normal roof plane because two roof sections drain into the same channel. That makes valley waterproofing one of the most important parts of a shingle roof system.
Is this page meant to sell a roof replacement?
No. This page supports the broader roofing products section by explaining one of the roof system materials we commonly use. Service and estimate information belongs on the roof replacement and estimate pages.
Ice & water shield is one layer in a complete roof system.
The membrane matters, but so do the shingles, synthetic underlayment, starter, ventilation, flashing, valley metal, drip edge, gutter apron, and hip/ridge details around it.