How to Extend the Life of Roof Shingles?

Are you wondering how to extend the life of roof shingles are? Let a professional from roofing mission (a.k.a "BulletpRoof") break it down for you.

Roof shingles for sloped roofs are arranged in an unconventional pattern by overlapping each shingle to form a watertight membrane. These components are often flat, rectangular shapes arranged in upward courses, each overlapping the joints beneath it. The overlapping usually starts at the bottom edge of the roof.

Shingles are just little pieces of construction material affixed over the underlayment, sheathing, and roof trusses to enhance the appearance and safeguard your home from the weather.

Due to their noticeable appearance, roof shingles are a critical component of a home's exterior. Although shingles come in square and horizontal shapes that are not uncommon and are frequently produced in a wide range of colors.

Table of Contents

• Types of Roof Shingles
• Tips to Extend the Life of Roof Shingles

Types of Roof Shingles

There are several types of roof shingles available. They include;

• Asphalt shingles; Asphalt shingles are made of asphalt reinforced by fiberglass or organic materials like wood or cellulose. In addition to being lightweight, waterproof, and fireproof (glass is much more fireproof than organic materials), they are also quite popular because they are adaptable enough to bear the weight of snow and resilient enough to endure minor to moderate hailstorms. Asphalt shingles also have the cheapest cost and the shortest lifespan.
• Wood Shingles; Although other types of hardwood shingles are available, cedar is by far the most preferred because it surpasses the competition in many ways. Along with exceptional durability and lifespan, the texture and finish of cedar shingles have an irresistible charm. Since cedar trees have a millennia-long lifespan, it is unsurprising that cedar is sturdy and dependable roofing material.
• Metal shingles; Metal shingles, consisting of aluminum, steel, copper, or an alloy stamped into various shapes, are among the most energy-efficient of all shingle types due to their ability to reflect sunlight rather than absorb it. They are a trendy and long-lasting roofing material. These shingles are best known for being simple to use and excellent toughness yet exceptionally lightweight. Metal shingles are ideal for commercial and industrial structures because of their resilience, which is crucial for a complete roof covering.
• Slate tiles have the most extended lifespan but are very high cost and heavy weight. Some types of roof construction, particularly the less resilient ones, cannot support their weight.
• Clay and Concrete tiles are two popular choices in some homes. While concrete reflects sunlight and successfully insulates interiors from heat and cold, clay is resistant to fire and also resistant to fading.
• Felt shingles; The roofing material most frequently used in the UK is felt shingles. They are very popular with homeowners and trades people for garden outbuildings, such as sheds, garages, and extensions. The affordability of felt is another phenomenal advantage. The materials have a modest upfront cost and are incredibly simple to use. Felt can be cut and worked on suiting any desired shape, and it's both easy to fit and remove. Felt's most significant drawbacks, compared to other shingle materials, are its low strength and durability.
• Composite shingles; They accurately replicate the appearance and texture of shingles made of natural materials like wood or slate. They are constructed of polymer, rubber, or plastic. These shingles have varying degrees of heat, impact resistance, and color retention. Some composite shingles' chemicals give them further protections like fungus and UV resistance. Their insulation potential is typically less than the materials they imitate.

Apart from their aesthetic values on roofing, roof shingles have several benefits. Perhaps, this is the reason they are very popular with people. Some of these benefits include their inexpensive cost and easy installation that shouldn't pose too many difficulties as long as the suitable materials are used and the instructions are followed. Other advantages include durability as they are resistant to many environmental conditions and often have an extremely long lifespan.

Tips to Extend the Life of Roof Shingles

In addition, taking care of your roof shingle and extending its lifespan should be considered regularly. Proper maintenance can make a roof shingle last for a longer period. Here are several ways to extend the lifespan of your roof shingle;

1. Choosing a highly qualified and reliable roofer, whether replacements or repairs are being done, is necessary to hire a highly skilled and reliable roofer. They should be professional and fully committed to their craft.
2. Keeping the gutters of your roof clean and free from any form of blockage that could potentially lead to the inability of water to flow correctly.
3. Trimming the trees around your house to avoid the branches hanging over the roof.
4. The shingles should be kept clean of debris and leaves, which could trap moisture and cause minor damage to your shingle.
5. Cleaning off moss found on the roof with a bucket of water or garden hose and scrubbing brush. Avoiding using a pressure washer because it can do more harm than good.
6. Taking note of how does sun affects roof shingles? When shingles color starts to fade that means it needs to be re-coated because it's original coating has been cleaned off normally from pressure washing or aging on its own
7. Minimize walking on the roof as much as possible, putting pressure on the shingles (or any brittle roofing material) can lead to damage
8. For places with snow, it is essential to avoid ice building up on your roof. Ice dams can obstruct adequate water drainage. Resultantly, it backs up behind your shingles, creating leaks and damage.
9. Insulating your home adequately.
10. Look at the vents that run outside in your attic. Ensure that the exterior-facing attic vents are not obstructed. Ensure they are sizable enough to vent the area, maintaining hot and cool airflow effectively. Your roof will be less susceptible to moisture damage with proper ventilation.
11. A thorough professional roof inspection should be performed at least once a year.
12. Repairing shingles that are broken or missing. Shingles that are missing, curled, or cracked over time may become apparent. They should be corrected as soon as they are discovered to prevent leaks.
13. Most importantly, knowing how many layers of shingles are allowed is only ONE layer because adding any more layers will shorten the life of shingles drastically; As explained in-depth by 64 reasons not to put shingles on top of shingles. Due to capturing heat and water between the layers eventually breaking down the roof's shingles until its no longer protecting the home from leaks. While it's top layer catches wind and debris, making it easier for the shingles (or any roofing material) to lift from the roof deck and fly away someday.

In conclusion, now you know what to do to extend the life of your roof shingle. Extending the life of your roof shingles is very important and should be something you work towards.