The roof of your house is an enormous part of your home’s aesthetic. It makes a huge difference to how your home looks from the outside, and the first impression it will make on the people who approach it. Unfortunately, changing the color of your roof can be enormously expensive, as re-roofing an area is always going to be pricey.
If your roof is in good condition, there’s no point in paying thousands of dollars to redo the whole thing, just for the sake of changing the color. For many people, the answer to a roof that they don’t like the appearance of is to paint it – but can you paint shingles?
Can you paint roof shingles? If you use the correct paint, you can paint your shingles, and in some situations, doing so could actually extend the life expectancy of your roof and protect the shingles from damage. Light-painted shingles can also reflect the light better, which may make your home cooler in the summer, and reduce your costs.
Is It Okay to Paint Your Shingles?
Painting your shingles will work well if you use the correct paint and apply it properly. However, it is important to stress that it must be done properly, because using the wrong kind of paint may damage the roof. You need to determine what your roof is made of and whether it is safe to paint.
Different kinds of shingles require different kinds of paint, but in many cases, you will need acrylic latex paint. This will form a tight bond with the shingles that will ensure they are protected from the weather, but will still allow them to dry properly and behave as they should.
Don’t be tempted by waterproof paint for your roof. It might seem like a great idea, especially if you’ve got an older roof that presents leak concerns, but it’s not going to work well. Waterproof paint will result in water getting trapped in among the shingles, rather than drying correctly, and this can lead to far more problems than it solves.
You should also be wary of just choosing a generic exterior paint. While exterior paints are fine for use on buildings, they are not designed for painting shingles, and will not give you a good finish. Instead, choose a paint that has been designed for roofs, and only use this on your shingles. It will give you the best results.
How Much Does Painting Roof Shingles Cost?
Although it is likely to be much cheaper than getting your roof re-finished, painting roof shingles is not a cheap task. Even if you do it yourself, the materials are likely to add up to a few hundred dollars at least. You will need primer, paint, rollers, and more. You’ll also have to clean the roof before you start.
If you are going to paint your roof yourself, think about safety before you think about anything else. You must make sure that you are not at risk of falling off the roof while you work. Purchase or hire a harness and scaffolding, and any other safety equipment you need in order to be secure while you are up there.
Many people prefer to hire a company to repaint their shingles, and this can be a safer option. You should be aware, however, that this will generally cost a few thousand dollars. You’ll need to find out what local companies charge so you can get a competitive quote.
What are the Advantages of Painting Roof Shingles?
The biggest benefit of painting roof shingles is probably that it will help the roof to last longer. Many people paint their shingles because it makes them look better, too. Because they are exposed to all weather, shingles can start to fade and look old and tired after a few years, and a coat of paint will revitalize them.
A lot of people paint their shingles to maximize their life expectancy, because roofs are so expensive. However, you should be aware before you start that roofs that have been painted will need a lot more maintenance. You will have to inspect the paint around once per year to make sure it isn’t cracking or peeling, and it may need touching up in places.
It’s important to bear in mind that painting your roof shingles is not an alternative to repairing damage, and there’s no point wasting time and money painting a roof that will need replacing soon anyway. Paint can make the roof look better and extend its lifespan, but it will not solve damage or seal a leaking roof.
How Do You Paint Roof Shingles?
Before you paint your shingles, inspect the roof thoroughly for damage, and repair any areas that need attention. You will also need to clean the roof. A pressure washer on low power may be a good option.
Next, you need to prepare the roof with primer, and allow this to dry before you start painting. When the primer is ready, use thick rollers to apply the latex paint, starting at the bottom of the roof. Work vertically until you have covered the whole roof, applying a thin coat. This should then be left to dry before you add a second coat.
You may need more than two coats if you are attempting to change the color of your roof and it is still patchy after two. However, you don’t want to add excessive amounts of paint to the shingles.
Remember that if you want to improve your roof’s reflective properties, you’ll need to use a light color. This is a great way to make your home cooler in the summer.
Once the roof is dry, inspect it and check that you are happy with the results.
Final Thoughts
Painting roof shingles is a great way to refresh your home and make it look great again. When done properly, paint can also improve the roof’s longevity, protecting the shingles from elemental damage. However, you should make sure you are using the right kind of paint, and consider hiring a professional firm to do the job.
