Making your Asphalt Roof Last

The roof over your head keeps you dry when it rains and cool when the sun shines. It’s such an important element of your home, but it’s also typically the one that is overlooked the most. This may account for why the true lifespan of your asphalt shingle roof is largely dependent on how you treat it. We’ve outlined some of our top advice to keep your roof in top shape longer.

Shingle Life

The lifespan of your shingles greatly depends on the quality of the shingles. Shingle lifespan can be anywhere from 15 to 20 years typically. Some other factors that affect your shingle lifespan are the local climate, how much exposure they have to the sun, and the quality of the installation. One of the best ways to ensure you have an asphalt shingle roof that is built to last is to hire a Certainteed roofing contractor to perform the installation.

What You Can Do

Roofs should always have a professional inspection to look for damages and to perform preventative maintenance, but there are some things that you can do yourself to help maintain your roof. Small things like keeping your gutters clean, clearing debris, and breaking up ice dams in the winter can all help to increase the lifespan of your asphalt shingle roof. If you notice any damaged or missing shingles, be sure to have them replaced immediately.

Algae is notorious for wreaking havoc on roofs. A quality roofing contractor can assist with ensuring your roof won’t have excessive algae buildup if you live close to any body of water.

Proper attic ventilation and insulation are also good ways to increase the lifespan of your roof. IF you’re looking to have your roof replaced, consider using lighter coloured shingles as dark asphalt shingles absorb heat whereas lighter colours reflect the heat. By reducing heat absorption you can also reduce heat damage and the risk of warping.

Looking to expand the life of your existing roof, or have your roof replaced? Get in touch with our team today and find out how we can help you keep your roof in top shape.