All roofing materials age naturally, even asphalt shingles. But some shingles age at a faster rate than others, and this is usually caused by different factors. Proper maintenance, for example, can slow down the rate at which an asphalt shingle roof deteriorates. It should be done by a professional roofing contractor, and failing to clean and keep them free of debris will cause damage over time. This can cause it to deteriorate faster as it’s more vulnerable to water intrusion and wind uplift.
Other factors that affect how an asphalt shingle roof ages include:
Slope and Color
A flat roof will have a shorter lifespan because they shed moisture more slowly compared to sloped roofs. They’re also more directly exposed to UV radiation. A roof that has darker shingles will absorb more heat, which accelerates the loss of volatiles and shortens its expected lifespan.
Thermal Cycling
Thermal cycling is the rate at how a material expands and contracts. A professional roofer would know how a shingle has experienced more thermal cycling by checking its rate of deterioration. A roof with darker colored shingles will also experience more thermal cycling. Climates with large daily temperature swings shorten roof life spans as well because they cause greater amounts of expansion and contraction.
Shingle Quality
Shingle quality varies widely among manufacturers and their product line, so you may need to do some research to make a good decision. Choosing high-quality shingles may be a bit expensive at first, but it will help you save more money in the long run. Low-quality shingles will age faster and will be more likely to fail before their expected life span.
As one of the best contractors in roof repair and replacement, Roof Recovery always gets the job done! For more information, contact us at (916) 678-9786 or through our convenient online request form.
