Can You Paint Roof Shingles? How To and When You Should

Are you looking to update your roof without having to replace it entirely? Many homeowners are unsure how to breathe new life into their roof’s design without getting new shingles. But you may be wondering – can you paint roof shingles?

Thankfully, painting shingles is a great way to replace and revamp your roof without having to invest in a new one entirely. Painting your shingles is a relatively straightforward and easy process, but it’s important to keep a few key points in mind during the process. This guide can help you through the process.

• • Can You Paint Roof Shingles?
  • Before You Paint
  • Pros and Cons
  • How To

Debating between painting shingles or replacing them completely? Find the right shingles for your home through Minnesota Exteriors.

Can You Paint Roof Shingles?

Painting asphalt shingles is much easier than you may have expected. Many people choose to paint shingles to update their existing roof to give it a design upgrade. Some homeowners even do it to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. For example, painting your shingles white can help reflect sunlight and keep your home cooler.

Some factors to consider when looking into painting shingles on a house include:

• Quality of the roof
• Material of the roof
• Your budget
• Age of your roof

Also, if you want a painted roof but don’t want to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional roofing company to help you with the project.

Can Any Type of Roof Be Painted?

Painting roof shingles most commonly happens with asphalt roofs. However, other types of roofing materials can be painted. Other materials that can undergo roof painting include:

• Metal
• Concrete
• Wood
• Slate
• Comp roof AKA composition roof

These types of roofs require more specialized procedures and paints, so while you technically can paint them, it is often more difficult – and expensive – than painting an asphalt shingled roof.

Don’t delay necessary replacements and risk further damage; let MEI’s experienced team take care of your roof replacement needs.

Before You Paint: Factors to Consider

Before deciding to go with painted shingles, there are a few factors you need to consider. Not just any roof can be painted. It’s important to examine the climate you live in, how old your roof is, and why you’re painting it. These can all greatly affect the outcome of how shingle paint and painting your roof will go.

Climate and Weather

Depending on the climate you live in, the success of painting your roof may vary. If you live in a climate that sees a lot of direct sunlight or precipitation, like the Southwest or Midwest respectively, then you may need to perform touch-ups more often than in friendlier climates. If you live in a climate that is too wet or humid, this may affect how well the paint adheres to the roof. This may result in peeling, chipping, or bubbling.

Age of Your Roof

The material your roof is made of can affect how often it needs to be replaced. Asphalt roofs should be replaced every 15-25 years. This number may vary depending on the damage your roof has sustained over the years.

If your roof is relatively newer, painting your roof may not be such a bad idea. However, if it’s nearing the end of its life expectancy, it might be better to replace it.

Why You’re Painting

Another aspect to consider before painting your roof is why you want to paint it. Are you just looking for a touch-up? Are you trying to save money by not replacing it at all? Determining the reasoning behind painting your roof can impact whether you should paint, repair, or replace your roof.

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Pros and Cons of Painting Roof Shingles

Now that you know that you can paint your roof shingles, it’s also imperative to understand the pros and cons of doing this. Asphalt roof paint can be a great way to spruce up your roof, but it does come with its own set of drawbacks.

If you have any questions about the longevity of your roof, reach out to our team at Minnesota Exteriors. Our blog also provides insight into information about roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and doors.

Pros

There are multiple benefits to painting your home’s roof. Painting your roof can be a great way to give your home a new look, extend your roof’s lifespan and longevity, and even increase its energy efficiency.

New Look

One of the best advantages of painting your roof is giving it an entirely new look. No matter if your personal aesthetic has changed or if you’ve noticed your current shingles need some TLC, painting it can refurbish your home’s overall appearance.

Extend Your Roof’s Lifespan

Painting your roof can also extend its lifespan by giving it an extra layer of protection from debris and weather. If you’re looking to prolong your roof’s lifespan before replacing it entirely, painting it is a great option.

Can Increase Energy Efficiency

Painting your roof can even increase your home’s energy efficiency. If you paint your roof with lighter colors, especially if you create white shingles, this can help reflect sunlight more. White roof spray paint can benefit those who live in warmer climates to reduce the overall temperature of the home.

Thinking about starting another home remodel project? Check out our showroom to see all MEI has to offer.

Cons

While it may seem like a great idea to use asphalt shingle paint to revamp your home, there are still potential drawbacks to consider. These may include:

Requires Regular Maintenance

While painting your home can help give it a new look, it doesn’t stay durable for very long without ensuring that you regularly maintain it. Even white roof shingles, while increasing energy efficiency, may peel and chip without proper maintenance. Make sure that you inspect your painted roof at least once a year.

Time-Consuming

While painting your roof can help you save money, it’s a time-consuming process to undertake yourself. You have to clean the roof, prime it for painting, and then do the actual painting. For some people, this may not outweigh the benefits of simply replacing it or hiring a professional company to paint it for them.

Greater Risk of Damage

It is unfortunately much easier to damage your roof while painting it yourself. You have to make sure that you not only get the right paint for the material your roof is made of, but you also have to ensure you do it the right way to avoid the roof being at higher risk of mold, mildew, and water buildup.

How to Paint Roof Shingles

Painting your roof, while a time-consuming process, is definitely possible for people who have enough experience or help. However, there are multiple steps you need to take to undergo this process both safely and effectively.

Before starting anything, it’s imperative to make sure that you have the proper safety equipment and tools for painting your roof. This generally means ensuring that you have a sturdy ladder, someone to spot you or help you during the process, eye protection, and even a safety harness to make sure that you don’t take a spill.

1. Get a Roof Inspection
   Before you go through all the steps to painting your roof, it’s worthwhile to first have it inspected. This is an important step and can help you determine if your roof needs any replacing before painting begins. A team of professionals can inspect your roof for any leaks, structural damage, or mold. In the long run, this can save you time and money, especially since many companies like Minnesota Exteriors offer free roof inspections.
2. Clean Your Roof
   After your roof has been cleared by the inspector, then it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. This helps ensure that debris, moss, or algae don’t mix with your paint. Cleaning your roof beforehand also helps the paint stay effective for longer.
3. Prime
   Just like priming a wall before you paint, priming your roof helps protect it and ensure the color seals on. However, you need to ensure that the primer not only matches the color you’ll be painting it but also is made of the right materials to protect the roof. Other considerations to keep in mind include:
   • How to Choose the Color: Make sure you don’t choose a color that is too dark. If you’re painting your roof a lighter color and the primer is too dark, this can affect the overall look of your roof.
   • Safety Materials: Some important safety equipment to get include protective coverings for any plants or windows, a mask to ensure you don’t inhale any fumes, and tarps to cover any area on the ground that may be exposed.
   • Equipment to Use: Lastly, you will need to get roof-safe paint and a paint spray gun.
4. Paint
   Now, it’s finally time to paint! Shingle spray paint will coat your roof thoroughly. Spray paint for roof shingles can include paint for white asphalt, darker colors for other materials, and even red for a more tiled look.Ensure that you have the right type of paint for the material of your roof as well. For example, acrylic latex paint that is formulated for asphalt is the best choice for these types of shingles. A few factors to keep in mind about the painting process include:
   • You should paint at least two coats of paint after priming
   • You can section the roof before painting to ensure that you coat everything evenly and efficiently
   • You technically can use a brush to paint the roof, but this generally leads to more safety concerns and a sloppier look
   • Make sure you check the weather before painting – paint often takes at least 24 hours to dry, so don’t paint on a day before it’s supposed to rain or storm
5. Maintenance
   After the painting job is complete, it’s important to perform regular maintenance. This may include regular touch-ups if you notice the paint peeling over time. You may also need to give it an extra coat after a few years if stormy weather or intense sunlight causes the roof to bubble or get damaged.

FREE No-Risk Roof Inspection and Estimate Through Minnesota Exteriors

Are you ready to update your roof or replace it entirely? Minnesota Exteriors is here to help. Our team is committed to providing quality service. We can provide inspections and replacement services for your home that ensure that you will have a roof that is safe and protected for decades to come.

Reach out to Minnesota Exteriors with any questions about your roofing needs. We replace roofs for both residential and commercial properties, and we are ready to help you as well. Contact us today, and we will get back to you within 48 hours.