Answering the Question - Can I Paint Roof Shingles?

Answering the Question – Can I Paint Roof Shingles?

Whether you’re picking wood, metal, asphalt, or your classic natural stone tiles, shingles have always been an important part of roofs for centuries since the medieval era. Shingles are like candies, they come in different forms and sizes and they have their own texture, sometimes mixing them with different kinds of paints could work out well with the architectural style of your house, but it will also depend on how you have planned out everything.

Before we do get into what are some factors that we have to take into account when painting shingles, we have to also keep in mind the functions and the benefits of shingles so we will be able to correlate this with roof shingles.

Benefits of painting shingles

People who are not well-versed with roofing will think that painting roofs are purely aesthetic in nature, but in reality, this can help extend the lifespan of your shingles and your roof in general.

Your choice of paint color can influence the insulation that your roof is providing. Lighter colors tend to deflect excessive heat off the roof. Darker colors tend to absorb heat faster than their lighter-colored counterparts. However, this will also depend on the type of climate that the house is situated in.
Specialized paint can help improve your shingle’s longevity by providing a protective coating against water that might cause erosion or even decomposition on your shingles.

Functions of shingles and the effects of paint

People might think that shingles have a more decorative function rather than having a more utilitarian function, but in reality, they do have multiple important functions that can decide whether your house will have a prolonged lifespan of more decades to even centuries or whether it will just have mere decades before deteriorating.

Before we look at what paint can do to asphalt shingles, we have to take into account the functions of shingles and if the paint will affect the functions of these shingles.

Protects your roof from the elements of weather – Shingles are primarily used to protect against the forces of nature such as rain and the accumulation of snow on roofs which can lead to ice dams. Different types of paint can alter the texture of shingles which can lead to more surface tension. If rainwater gets enough surface tension from smooth surfaces, then they tend to seep towards the underside of shingles which can lead to roof leaks and soaking. Homeowners and roofing specialists have to keep in mind the amount of surface tension.
Increases the overall lifespan of your roof – Of course, keeping your roof dry and away from moisture is also one of the primary ways of preserving the lifespan of your roof and the foundation of your house. If ever molds, mildews, and rusting form on the main frameworks of your house, this could severely diminish the lifespan of your roof and, in extreme cases, could lead to your roof collapsing.
Insulation – Usually, shingles are made out of material that can’t easily convect heat. Asphalt shingles are a good example of a material that can insulate well since they reflect out penetrative heat and will also keep ice dams from forming by retaining a good amount of heat as a barrier against freezing on the main structure of your roof. Of course, the color of the paint that you will be using can also influence the amount of heat that is being absorbed and reflected.

Energy Efficiency and Paint

It’s common knowledge that heat tends to accumulate faster on roofs that have a darker color scheme than on roofs that have a lighter color scheme. If you live in an area that is warmer, then it is advised that you get lighter-colored paint since it reflects off penetrative heat. Likewise, if your house is situated in an area with a colder climate, then it is advised that you apply darker color schemes to your roofing.

Buying The Right Paint

A common interior paint that you can find in your regular builder’s store won’t cut it when it comes to painting your shingles. It is the most optimal choice that individuals will do research first on which paint has the most resistance against extreme levels of heat. Lower quality paint tends to warm and bulge easily, especially under the heat of the sun all day. As such, regular house paint will not work on materials like wood, asphalt, and even slate tiles.

At the end of the day, it is your choice on what paint you will be using and what color scheme that you’ll be painting on your roof. If you’re not sure about how you’re going to be painting your roof or if you have no prior experience in this matter, then it is highly advised to commission the services of roofing Cherry Hill NJ that can give you the appropriate services to paint your roof. After all, if you want something done right, you have to get professionals to do it.

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