Factors That Affect How Fast An Asphalt Roof Ages

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials due to their affordability and durability. However, like every roofing material, they’re also prone to weathering, causing them to deteriorate over time. The rate of this weathering process, meanwhile, can be affected by various factors, which include:

Surprisingly enough, the degree of your roof slope can affect the rate at which your asphalt shingles deteriorate. In fact, according to experts, flatter roofs tend to have shorter lifespans since they shed moisture at a slower rate and are directly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation compared to roofs with steeper pitches.

Unsurprisingly, low-quality shingles will fail faster compared to high-quality shingles. With that in mind, be sure to pick only the finest shingles for your home so you won’t have to deal with a roof that deteriorated faster than expected.

Depending on how often you ask a shingle roofer to maintain your asphalt roof, the rate of the shingles’ deterioration may be slower or faster. This is because keeping up with your roof’s maintenance procedures means any damage can be repaired immediately, preventing the roof from deteriorating further.

If you live in an area with harsher climates, you can expect the lifespan of your roof to be shortened due to wind, moisture and thermal cycling. Thermal cycling in particular can cause great amounts of expansion and contraction of your asphalt roof, increasing its rate of deterioration.

According to roofers, roofing systems that face south will have shorter lifespans due to increased thermal cycling and UV exposure. This is because this is the direction where the roof can catch the most sun, greatly contributing to its rate of deterioration.

As much as possible, make sure that your attic ventilation is appropriate to the size of your roof. Poor ventilation can easily cause the roof’s lifespan to shorten as it fails to keep the shingles cool, baking them from the inside and increasing the amount of thermal cycling that affects the entire roof.

A general rule of thumb is to avoid choosing darker colors as they absorb more heat, shortening the shingle’s lifespan since heat absorption accelerates the loss of volatiles, and, like poor ventilation, it increases thermal cycling as well.

Looking for an expert roofer to do some work in your home? Look no further than Punum Roofing of Houston, Inc. Give us a call at (713) 466-4447