Premature Asphalt Shingle Aging: Cause and Prevention

It’s not as common nowadays, but once in a while, an asphalt shingle roof will show advanced signs of aging, such as cupping and curling within ten years of installation. In this blog, residential roof replacement contractor Quality Home Exteriors discusses why relatively new asphalt shingles fall apart, and what can be done about it.

Why Do Asphalt Shingle Roofs Fall Apart Early?

Let us first take a look at how asphalt shingles are made. Sheets of backing material, either made of fiberglass or recycled paper, are soaked with asphalt before granules are embedded on top. During this stage of the manufacturing process, air is blown and incorporated into the asphalt. This creates pockets of air that serve as expansion gaps that stop asphalt from overflowing when it expands.

Sometimes a manufacturing error results in too much air getting blown into the shingles. This opens the backing material to premature aging. When installed on a roof, these defective asphalt shingles are more vulnerable to normal wear and tear, resulting in premature aging. Sometimes these defective shingles end up having a life span that’s shorter than typical home exterior siding systems.

How to Prevent Premature Asphalt Shingle Aging

The best way to prevent premature asphalt shingle aging is to pick a quality roofing system to begin with, and make sure the roof has extensive material and workmanship warranties. These are one of the many reasons why you should hire a manufacturer-certified contractor for your roof replacement project. In the event that your roof happened to have a bad batch of shingles, you won’t have to go around in circles trying to get the roof fixed.

Investing in algae-resistant asphalt shingles, such as Atlas shingles with Scotchgard™ Protection, may also reduce the likelihood of premature asphalt shingle aging. These asphalt shingles contain copper granules mixed in with copper. The copper ions that get activated when the roof gets wet is bonded into the asphalt, which slows down its aging process. Some homeowners have reported success with installing copper strips at the ridges, but doing this may void the roofing warranty.

Call Quality Home Exteriors for your roofing and insulated siding system needs. You can reach us at (402) 401-4505 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Omaha, NE, and Kansas City, MO.