Have you ever seen a home that looks unkempt or shabby? Often times a worn roof can be the cause of a home not looking its best. One of the most common issues with older homes is faded shingles that can show age or lack of care. Whether you’ve just bought a new home or are interested in a home renovation, it can sometimes be hard to tell if it’s time to install a new roof or get Vancouver roof repair.
Most roofing materials fade as they age, but depending on the type of material your roof is made from, this fading may or may not be normal. If your roof is covered with shingles, some fading can be expected. However, shingles that have faded or are lacking in uniformity can devalue the look of a home or may be an eyesore to the owner.
How can you tell if it’s time to invest in a new roof? Here are a few ways to tell if now is the time for a change:
First, figure out what your roof is made of.
Roofs are composed of a variety of materials, but three most common include asphalt shingles, metal, and composite shingles. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive, durable, and come in a variety of colors. Additionally, asphalt is less susceptible to the sun—so fading is minimal, but it does happen.
Metal is very durable and has layers of coating that protect it from the sun. Fading can happen with metal roofing if your home is in direct sunlight, but fading is less likely than with shingles.
Composite shingles can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, or even asphalt and cement. These materials tend to be more high-end, though they are often synthetic, and can endure the elements beautifully. In short, composite shingles are made to last. Fading can happen with composite shingles but are less likely than asphalt.
For the moment, let’s focus on asphalt shingles, as they can sometimes lighten from age more so than metal or composite shingles.
To cure your roof of its discoloration, it’s important to figure out the cause of your fading. The next step is to ask yourself:
Why are your shingles fading?
Just like when your favorite red t-shirt loses its vibrancy after many cycles in the wash, roofing shingles can be affected by the elements it comes into contact with. Age also can affect the quality of your roof and, as your home ages, slight fading can be expected.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to premature fading, such as UV radiation, the orientation of the roof in relation to the sun, shade or obstacles, mold, algae, dirt, or even acid rain.
Dark shingles may show more fading than light ones and a roof that receives more direct sunlight will surely fade faster than one that is regularly shaded by trees. A local Vancouver roofing service will be able to examine your home and give you an assessment. Once you know what your home’s issue is, then you can start to decide what your plan of action will be.
What does fading look like?
While you might think that the gradual lightening of shingles is the main way that a roof ages, fading can also be the loss of gloss or luster, or “chalking” (meaning a fine white film that appears on your shingles). Some homes might have uneven fading that will look like patches of lighter shades against your shingles’ normal darker tones. These dark streaks or patches might be unsightly, but if your home is impacted by any of these conditions, there is no need to worry. A consultation with a Vancouver roofing service can help you plan your renovation.
Is it safe to have fading roof tiles?
While fading might be unattractive, fading shingles should not pose a threat to the integrity of your roof. However, shingles that are discolored due to biological reasons (mold, algae, or mildew) can have a blue-green tinge that will age the look of your home and dark patches can indicate weak tiles that will need to be replaced.
Dark streaking can sometimes happen if moisture has gotten trapped under the tiles and cannot evaporate, in which case, a roof repair might be necessary. However, fading is not typically associated with defective tiles. A Vancouver roofing service will be able to tell you if your fading is symptomatic of larger issues.
Now that you’ve identified the root of your discoloration, it’s time to come up with a plan of action.
Fix your fading roof shingles.
Depending on the extent of your roof’s discoloration, you might want to consider a complete renovation of the tile. Fading or discolored shingles can lower the resale value of your home or perhaps it’s time for a refresh.
If a renovation is too costly or you only have a small section of shingles that need to be refurbished, you might want to invest in getting new patches of shingles installed. Power washing is another tool you can use to maintain your existing shingles and keep them clean and presentable. However, while power washing can remove stains or dirt, fading can only be fixed with new tile.
What if my new shingles don’t match my existing roof tiles?
Luckily, asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and matching your new shingles to your existing ones should not be a problem. However, if the new patch of shingles is noticeable against your old ones, don’t fret. This is a case where fading can work to your advantage, so give your shingles some time to slightly fade and your roof will soon blend seamlessly.
A uniform roof will make your home look fresh, newer, and more marketable for sale. But before you invest in a lengthy and expensive home renovation—or try your hand at a do-it-yourself home repair—give a Vancouver residential roofing service a call and see what repairs are truly needed. A new roof can make all the difference in the look and presentation of your home and be the difference in your home’s sale price!