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Acrylic coating extends the life of old asphalt shingles |
Residential roof shingles: Install new ones or try to extend the life of the existing ones? From time to time, customers have asked if the acrylic used to restore tin roofs could also be applied on asphalt shingles. The answer is a clear, "Yes."
Coating asphalt shingles with acrylic has several advantages:
1) the
acrylic protects the shingles from the effects of the sun
2) the acrylic
can perform some weatherproofing against leaks
3) there are many colors
available
4) the work can be performed by the homeowner on easy-to-stand-on
roofs
and 5) if you already have two layers of shingles, this approach may delay/avoid
an expensive tear off project
There are several disadvantages:
1) Acrylic, at least high quality
acrylic, is more expensive than a pail of paint. The acrylic at popular
home improvement centers lack the quality and color selection, but, in a pinch,
are an alternative.
2) The appearance of the shingles is more matted and
muted compared to new asphalt shingle surfaces. By throwing colorful aggregate
on the fresh acrylic, this flat look can achieve texture. An
experience in feeding chickens helps in the aggregate application technique.
Once the residential roof shingle surface is swept of any loose debris, the application of the acrylic coating is quite straight forward. No primer is needed. Acrylic coating possess more "body" compared to paint, therefore, a slight alteration in the painting technique would help. One suggestion in applying the acrylic is to brush the acrylic up and down the shingle. Finish the work by pushing/pulling the brush horizontally so that the acrylic does not collect along the overlap. If you look closely at the photo below, you can spot excessive acrylic at the overlap area
Usually the manufacturers deliver the acrylic in heavy 55 lb pails; your job can be made easier by pouring some in another plastic container. Therefore, with just a broom, roof brush, stick and an access to the roof, the job can be performed by an enthusiastic Saturday home improvement owner. See below for pricing and sourcing of acrylic.
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| Older residential shingle roof | Possible holes sealed |
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| Long handle, roof brush and acrylic | Acrylic brushed over shingles |
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| Close up of coated shingles | Final roof appearance in the sun |
On this project with a single coating, three gallons were used, leaving two gallons for another project.
Where to buy the acrylic: Contact the Andek Corp (their website) at 888 462 6335 for a distributor near you.
If there is an interest in a copper coating which exhibits a distinct appearance, check this link: Painting roof shingles with copper
For an idea of colors, check this link: Color Chart.
Upon reading blogs and comments about the wisdom of performing this type of
work, I noted most comments seem to center on weatherproofing a shingle roof.
Rule of thumb: To change colors--one or two coats of acrylic work just fine. BUT
if you are seeking protection against leakage, then an oil based primer is
highly recommended.
Reason: in heavy rains, the acrylic may absorb some
water and then penetrate through small breaks in the asphalt material.
As a result, for projects where you want to prevent leakage, plan on using an oil based primer.