Asphalt roofs are durable and resilient, with an average service life of 20 to 25 years. They’re named after the shingles which are used on them and are mainly composed of asphalt topped with granules. They’re a common choice as a roofing material, as they’re cheap yet effective in their performance. The term shingle “weathering” refers to the results of long-term exposure to the elements. Although weathering will eventually ruin shingles, weathered shingles aren’t always damaged shingles, per se. Weathering is a natural deterioration process that occurs on shingles over time, and a variety of factors can influence how quickly they deteriorate. What factors should you take into account when it comes to asphalt roof service life? Certified roofers from Arrowhead Roofing provide the answers here.
Packaging
As soon as shingles are packaged, they begin to age and deteriorate. The deterioration process begins slowly and is primarily driven by oxidation, the chemical reactions occurring within the asphalt, and, depending on storage and transit settings, heat and pressure. Better packaging, handling and transportation can definitely extend their service life, however.
Installation
Once the shingles are laid and exposed to the elements, deterioration speeds up significantly. Because the asphalt layer is fresh and hasn’t had time to cure, rapid aging will continue for a while until the asphalt layer toughens up. Minor granule loss is common at this point, when surplus granules glued to the shingles during the production process separate from the shingles and are washed away by runoff. It’s also worth noting that foot traffic on your roof when you’re replacing a few shingles during an emergency roof repair can also knock granules off some of the shingles.
Gradual Aging & Eventual Replacement
After the curative phase is over, the shingles begin a long period of accelerated aging. The pace will initially slow and be almost imperceptible to most homeowners. Microcracks in the asphalt, the loss of a few granules, dispersing volatiles and chemical changes in the asphalt are all signs of deterioration. The rate at which shingles age is determined by several factors, including shingle quality, roof orientation, slope and other factors.
The factors mentioned before will become more important as time passes by, as the effects of weathering become more obvious. Your shingles, as they slowly approach the end of their service life, will start exhibiting problems like becoming brittle, losing all their granules, splitting and getting blown off. This is why knowing when to replace your roofing materials is essential in maintaining a strong, reliable roof for your home and family.
Contact Us!
Do you want only the best roof maintenance services from a reputable contractor? Arrowhead Roofing is a full-service residential and commercial roofing contractor with more than 30 years of experience in large and small jobs, and we’ve continuously offered full-scale construction services in the residential and commercial marketplace since 1987. We commit ourselves to providing innovative products, systems and the latest technologies to give our clients the outstanding service and workmanship that’s expected with our name. We’re also a GAF Master Elite®, GAF Master and CertainTeed ShingleMaster® roofing contractor. We’re on the Honor Roll of the Better Business Bureau®, as well.
You can reach us with inquiries at (918) 743-9257 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We proudly serve clients and homeowners in the state of Oklahoma.
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