Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Asks the Question About Roofing Shingles: To Paint or Not to Paint?–Is your roof starting to show signs of age and wear?
If that’s the case, our roofing company in Iowa City says, you might think about painting it. After all, it’s a cheap way to give your house a fresh new look. However, can asphalt shingles be painted? Think about this before you pretend to be Picasso and use your roof as a canvas:
Our roofing company in Iowa City explains that it is usually not worth it to paint roofing shingles. You’ll probably be disappointed with the outcome and might possibly cause damage to your roof or nullify the shingle guarantee if you try. Asphalt roof shingles are not recommended for painting by reputable roofing companies or shingle manufacturers.
However, it is your house. Our roofing company in Iowa City will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of having your roof repainted, as well as the steps you need to take and the accompanying costs if you insist on going it alone.
Considerations Before Painting Shingles
It’s as Crazy as it Sounds; Painting Asphalt shingles.
Roofing companies in Iowa City say that for many different reasons, you might choose to change the color of your roof. Maybe you just moved into a new house, and you don’t like the color scheme compared to your vinyl siding, or maybe your roof is looking a little worn out and you want to give it a facelift. Whatever the reason, painting your roof’s shingles is a serious decision that has a lot of drawbacks. Let’s go over some of the things you should think about before choosing.
The Weather in Your Region
The climate in your area is one of the most crucial factors to take into account when painting your roof. The paint will probably deteriorate fast if you reside in a location with a lot of sunlight and heat. You may need to repaint more frequently as a result of the paint deteriorating due to the sun’s strong UV radiation.
Paint can peel and chip more quickly if you reside in an area with a lot of dampness. Additionally, roofing companies in Iowa City say the paint and shingles may retain moisture, which could promote excessive mildew growth.
The Age of Your Roof and Asphalt Shingles
Your roof is more likely to be in better shape and be able to tolerate painting if it is newer. Even so, you must exercise caution because your warranty will be affected. However, if your roof is more aged, it might not be able to withstand the added strain that painting will cause.
The majority of customers who want to paint their shingles have older roofs that are beginning to deteriorate. In this situation, you need to take extra care with the paint you choose and the surface preparation. If you don’t handle it correctly, your roof can sustain extra damage.
Motivation For Painting
The primary motivation for painting a roof is to alter the color. This may be a valid justification, but bear in mind that the new color will probably deteriorate with time. Our roofing company in Iowa City says, painting the shingles may not be the greatest solution if you want to fully transform the appearance of your house, and exterior renovation specialists will advise you to simply replace the entire roof with a trustworthy roofing contractor.
What Is the Price to Paint Shingles?
You should buy high-quality acrylic paint. A less expensive paint might be available, but it probably won’t last as long.
A gallon of the appropriate paint will cover a roof area measuring about 100 square feet. Remember that for the greatest results, you’ll need two coats of paint plus a primer. Your roof may need to be painted for a total of over $1,000.
Reasons Not to Paint Asphalt Shingles
Nothing will persuade you not to paint your roof if a roofing company in Iowa City can’t.
To change the color of your roof, you can paint the roof shingles, but that doesn’t necessarily imply it’s a good idea. Before beginning the endeavor, you should seriously evaluate the negative aspects.
It Takes Time
Painting your roof is a laborious home improvement project, especially if you’re doing it by yourself without any aid from friends and has nothing to do with any structural damage to your home. To finish the task, it can take several weekends, and you might need to borrow a ladder or scaffolding to get to the roof’s highest points. If you take this route, be sure to make weather plans (see below).
A Roofing Company in Iowa City Warns, Panting Shingles is Dangerous
It might be risky to climb onto your roof without the right safety gear or experience. Despite their best efforts, people still slip and fall from roofs every year. It is recommended to leave this project to the experts if you are not averse to heights.
Roofing companies in Iowa City Warn About Additional Maintenance
If you decide to paint the shingles, you’ll be obligated to do maintenance on them twice a year to protect the paint from chipping. The expense you’d save over simply replacing the roof with a color shingle you enjoy will need to be adjusted for the fact that you’ll need to repaint every few years, which might be a bother.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Warns About Moisture Issues
It’s advisable to avoid painting your roof if you reside in a region with a lot of moisture. You will need to repaint more frequently because the paint can peel and crack more easily in these circumstances. The paint sealant surrounding the asphalt traps moisture, which might hasten the deterioration of the shingles.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Warns About Shortened Shingle Lifetime
Expect a shorter lifespan if you choose to paint your shingles. Even if you have a 40- or 50-year warranty, the majority of asphalt shingle varieties are only intended to last 20 to 30 years. If you paint them, you should anticipate having to replace them sooner due to moisture issues and other painting-related damage.
Roofing companies in Iowa City Say That Your Warranty Could Be Voided
Critical! The majority of asphalt shingles have a 20, 30, or even 50 year “lifetime” warranty, but painting the shingles voids these guarantees. The shingles cannot be painted, according to even limited roof warranties. If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life, this might not be a major worry, but if you have a newer roof, you might be out of luck if you experience any problems in the future.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Warns, Paint Is Hard To Apply Evenly
It is difficult to paint shingles with a uniform coating, thus there is a great probability that the finished product will be uneven or streaky. This is particularly true if you choose the DIY route. It’s advisable to select a reputable painting business with expertise painting roofs in your neighborhood if you want a paint job that looks professional.
Advantages of Painting Shingles
Decreased Energy Use (minor)
Although it’s debatable how much money a cool roof color will actually save you, one advantage of painting your roof is that it may marginally reduce your energy consumption.
Does Whitening Your Roof Increase Energy Efficiency?
Reflectance or transmittance refers to the color of a substance. Because black shingles have less reflectivity than white shingles, they will absorb more heat.
According to Yale University of The Environment, “the systematic replacement of dark surfaces with white could lower heat wave maximum temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius or more.”
This implies that a white roof will reflect heat more effectively, which could result in less energy being used during the summer. However, the savings are so negligible that you probably won’t even notice them when you pay your electricity bill, and they definitely won’t be enough to cover the full expense of painting a roof just to make it more energy-efficient.
Do Lighter Roofs Have Higher Energy Efficiency?
Yes, the best roofers in Iowa City say a lighter-colored roof is slightly more energy-efficient, but only little.
In the summer, a white or light-colored roof will be cooler since it will reflect more sunlight than a black or dark-colored roof. Although the actual reduction in energy use for cooling your home is only about 2%, this has the potential to do so. Even if this were the case, any savings would be more than made up for by lower heating bills in the winter since the darker shingles would ostensibly aid in keeping the house warm at that time of year.
Temporarily Hides an Unattractive Old Roof
A residential roofer in Iowa City says that painting the shingles is a short-term fix if you don’t want to replace your roof but want to enhance the appearance of your house. If you’re attempting to sell your house and want to improve the curb appeal, this can be a fantastic option.
However, many licensed home inspectors will observe that the roof has been painted, which may present a problem for potential buyers. The buyers will be aware that they’ll either need to repair the roof entirely or repaint the house every few years.
Select the Desired Roof Color Without Having to Replace the Roof
You don’t have to replace the shingles totally when you paint your roof because you may pick any color you like. Consider a roof that is black, white, green, blue, or even colored. Your home is here! This may be a useful method to give your house some personality and set it apart from the other houses in the community. It would, however, have the similar effect if you replaced the roof on your house with sharp new shingle color.
More Important Info About Whether or Not to Paint Your Roof
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Says: Most of the Time, The Pros Aren’t Worth The Cons
In general, unless there is a very good reason, you should stay away from painting your roof tiles, according to a residential roofing company in Iowa City. The disadvantages vastly exceed the advantages, and you can wind up doing more harm than good. If you’re still determined to paint your roof, make sure you adhere to the instructions below.
When is it Worthwhile to Paint a Roof?
Taking everything into account, painting a roof is only worthwhile if you have an old roof that you want to make appear nicer for a year or two, and if you can receive a fair price for the project that will make it profitable for you in the near term. Go for it as long as you are aware of the disadvantages! Most possible issues that always arise one to two years after painting can be avoided by taking the actions listed below.
Fortunately for homeowners stuck in the middle, there are shingle painting substitutes that can improve the aesthetics of your roof without causing damage, according to our commercial roofing company in Iowa City.
Other Options to Change the Color of the Roof That Don’t Require Paint
Soft Roofing Cleaning
One popular choice is to hire a professional to gently wash and clean your roof. A power washing technique called soft washing or low-pressure washing employs low pressure and detergent to clean surfaces. Eliminating algae, lichen, and other fungi is a common technique to enhance the aesthetics of your home.
The lack of moss, plant growth, and dirt can dramatically improve the appearance of your home. Soft-wash roof cleaning will get rid of any dirt, grime, or moss that has accumulated over the years. This solution has the advantage of being more affordable than replacement while still being around the same cost as a painting job. A wash will cost less and won’t need to be painted as often, but it won’t last as long as a new roof.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Discusses Replacing the Whole Roof
If you’re considering painting your roof, there probably is a problem. The best course of action is typically to just replace the roof. Although it is the priciest choice, it will also endure the longest and offer your property the most security.
Start your online roof estimate procedure with a roofing company in Iowa City right away if you want a quote for a roof replacement in your inbox within the next three hours.
How to Paint Shingles on a Roof (If You Must…)
Are you certain you want to proceed? At least adhere to these recommendations if you must paint those terrible asphalt shingles on top of your home.
The Best Paint To Purchase For Asphalt Roofing
The best paint for asphalt roofing that money can buy should be purchased if you’re set on painting your roof. Because you want the paint to endure as long as possible, now is not the time to cut corners on quality. Here are a few criteria to consider while picking a roof paint.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Says, Measure Your Roof Before Applying Paint
Before you visit the neighborhood hardware shop, measure the area of your roof so you can determine how much paint you’ll need. One gallon of paint will cover around 200 square feet.
Select Light Color Hues
If you’re going to defy professional advice from roofing companies in Iowa City, at least go with a light hue like white, beige, or light grey to receive the about 2% reduction in heat absorption.
What Type of Paint Do You Apply to Roofing Shingles?
Use an acrylic paint made specifically for asphalt shingles if you can. These paints are typically water-based, and they will adhere better and last longer than other forms of paint. At your neighborhood hardware store, such as Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware, you can discover paints used on roofs.
How are Asphalt Shingles Prepared for Painting?
You must first prepare your asphalt shingles in order to get the most out of this possibly revolutionary painting procedure. Cleaning them is the most effective way to achieve this.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Says, Clean Up that Debris
To get rid of the extra dirt and plant life that has accumulated over the years, power wash your shingles before painting them. Either you can rent a power washer or get a pro to do it for you. Because utilizing a high-pressure machine will remove granules from your shingles and weaken their structural integrity, we advise choosing a power washing firm experienced in the soft wash technique.
This is also an excellent time to assess how your roof appears after washing it or call roofing companies in Iowa City to take a look. You might adore the appearance and wish to stop here rather than continue with the painting.
Pick a Week When There is No Chance of Rain
It’s crucial to pick a week with no rain in the forecast so your paint has time to fully dry and cure. The last thing you want is for an unexpected rainstorm to spoil your hard work. Restarting is not enjoyable!
Halt and Evaluate
You may ask yourself according to a roofing company in Iowa City, “Why would I go through all this work when I can simply replace my roof?” Although roofing companies in Iowa City get what you’re saying, occasionally individuals just want to paint the object. Once you begin painting, you are compelled to either complete your masterpiece or have the roof completely replaced. So pause, think, and make a wise decision.
Are You Sure You’re Going Forward With the Painting Project?
If you’ve made the decision to proceed, well done! You’re in for a delightful few week of climbing ladders, descending them, priming, painting, stepping on additional ladders, and repainting while pleading with the weather gods not to rain. Now all you have to do is adhere to the steps listed below, and your project will be finished in no time.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Says, Surface Preparation is Crucial
Utilize a paint primer made especially for asphalt shingles. The paint will adhere better and last longer as a result of this. You’re asking for trouble if you prime the area without first cleaning it.
Start with a Small Section
The maxim “measure twice, cut once” is used frequently in building. Starting with a tiny area that is not visible from the ground guarantees that you are familiar with the process and that the finished product appears as desired before moving on, as the adage goes in painting, “measure twice, paint once.”
Where to Begin Painting
Can you manually paint roof shingles? Yes, you could use a brush to cover the entire roof, but it might take you ten years to complete. Starting at the top of your roof and working your way down is how you should paint. This will lessen the chance of paint spills destroying your work.
Limiting the Use of a Brush
A roofing company in Iowa City explains the first step is to manually paint your roof’s valleys and borders with a brush. A good brush will come in helpful here. A brush between two and three inches long will work for size.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Discusses The Difference of a Paintbrush vs. Sprayer
You will need to choose between utilizing a paint roller and a sprayer for the remaining portions of your roof. A paint roller will work just fine for painting a tiny roof. However, you might want to think about renting a paint sprayer if your roof is really big.
Painting with a Roller
If you choose to use a roller, be sure to choose a thick, sturdy product so you won’t have to go through a lot of them.
Use a roller screen to smooth out any lumps in your roofing paint before pouring it into a 5-gallon bucket. Following that, you can begin painting in 3-foot segments. To avoid any missing locations, make careful to paint the margins of each piece.
Utilizing a Paint Sprayer
A roofing company in Iowa City explains if you decide to use an automatic paint sprayer, you should dilute the paint until it has the consistency of milk. This can be accomplished by gradually adding water to your paint until it has the ideal consistency. For extra advice, consult the spray gun’s owner’s manual. Once you’ve finished, you can load the sprayer with paint and begin painting.
Make sure to move the sprayer side to side while keeping it about 12 inches away from your shingles. When you get to the edges (rakes) of your roof, use a back-and-forth motion.
Apply Two to Three Coats of Paint
As one of the top roofing companies in Iowa City, we should let you know that when you’ve completed painting your shingles, you’re still far from finished with the entire project. Wait 24 hours, at least, then you can start applying the second coat after the first coat has had ample time to dry. This ensures that the paint will properly adhere and will not peel. This is why the project takes so long and you have to pick the right week for the weather.
Our Roofing Company in Iowa City Says, Stay Current on the Upkeep of Your Recently Painted Roof
It’s time to relax and take in the results of your hard work now that you’ve completed painting your roof. That is, for the time being! Because before you know it, you’ll have to paint everything again.
Put on Touch-Ups as Necessary
A roofing company in Iowa City knows that every few months, you should inspect your roof for any places that require touch-up work. This is particularly true in the spring when you listen to sparrows sing after a gloomy, icy winter and on a crisp autumn day when football is being played after a hot, muggy summer when the sun beats down on your home. Keep some additional paint available so you can touch up any possible chipped areas.
What is the Lifespan of Painted Shingles?
The time between the first and third year after painting that the painted shingles need to be painted again. However, that is only an estimate. Amateur paint applications frequently result in problems in less than a year.
Is it wise to paint shingles?
No, it is not a smart idea to paint asphalt shingles. However, some folks go ahead and create their own mural on their roof. Before taking any more action, we advise at least having a roofing company in Iowa City inspect your roof for any warning signals that there may be additional structural problems with which to be concerned.
At Robison,
We Stand Behind Our Word and Our Work!
At Robison, we are your trusted source for commercial roof repair in Iowa City. We provide fast and professional service for every kind of roof. Our team of professionals is here to service your roof from start to finish, we even provide residential roof repair in Iowa City. We are also a metal building contractor in Iowa City.
For a free estimate on your next project, fill out an online form here or call us at 319-363-0110.
Robison is committed to providing you with the best options for your roof system and design. We approach every roofing project with a focus on functionality, cost, and aesthetics. Each project is handled with unique perspective and integrity. Ingenuity and an eye for solutions make Robison the obvious choice for residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial roofing systems.
