Painting Asphalt Shingles: Cost, Benefit, and Risks Guide

Is your asphalt shingle roof looking a bit drab and faded? Giving it a fresh coat of paint can instantly revive its appearance and add some nice curb appeal to your home. But painting roof shingles is no simple task - it requires careful preparation, the right materials, and knowledge of the potential risks involved. In this guide, we'll cover all the key points about painting asphalt roof shingles, including costs, benefits, process tips, and whether it's better to DIY or hire a professional.

Should You Paint Your Roof?

Before we dive into the details, let's address the big question: is painting your asphalt shingles a good idea? In general, reputable roofers and manufacturers advise against it. Here's why:

• Reduced Lifespan: Paint can trap moisture beneath the surface, leading to premature shingle rot and leaks. Your roof, designed to breathe, might suffocate under a coat of paint.

• Warranty Woes: Painting your shingles could void your manufacturer's warranty, leaving you on the hook for repairs.

• Maintenance Hassle: Painted roofs require more frequent maintenance to ensure proper ventilation and prevent peeling.

But There Can Be Benefits…

There are a few situations where painting your shingles might be an option:

• Revitalizing Curb Appeal: A fresh coat (especially a lighter color) can breathe new life into a tired-looking roof.

• Energy Efficiency: Lighter colored roofs reflect sunlight, potentially lowering cooling costs in hot climates. (Note: This might not be significant depending on your local climate and roof pitch)

• Restoring Faded Shingles: Roof paint can restore some color to faded shingles, offering a temporary aesthetic fix.

The Costs of Painting a Shingle Roof
On average, hiring a professional painter to paint an asphalt shingle roof will cost 

1,500−4,000 for a typical single-family home. This accounts for labor, materials like specialized roof coatings and primers, and equipment costs. Doing it yourself can cut the materials cost down to 500−1,000 for a mid-sized roof. However, the labor is extensive so there are trade-offs in terms of time and hassle.

Benefits of Painting Roof Shingles

• Instantly revive a faded, worn roof for much less than a full roof replacement

• Ability to change the roof color to better match your home's exterior design (popular options like gray, tan, and red roof shingles paint)

• Some roof coatings can provide mild cooling benefits by reflecting heat

• Periodic painting can extend the life of asphalt shingles by protecting from UV radiation
  

Risks and Downsides of Painting a Shingle Roof

• Improperly painting asphalt can void the roof's warranty

• A low-quality paint job will start peeling and look unsightly within 2-3 years

• Need to be very careful walking on shingles during prep and painting to avoid falls

• Painting traps moisture which can lead to premature rotting if shingles are already deteriorated

Tips for Painting Asphalt Roof Shingles

• Use only coatings specifically designed for roof shingles - normal exterior paints won't adhere properly

• Thoroughly clean and prime the shingles first, ensuring no debris or oils remain

• Consider renting/buying roof rigs and safety harnesses if doing the job yourself

• For fun designs, use masking and stencils - get creative with patterns, stripes, or Minecraft-style pixelated patterns!
  

Should You Hire a Pro or DIY?
Painting a shingle roof is a labor-intensive job that requires significant safety precautions and know-how around proper roof coatings. For these reasons, it's recommended to hire an experienced roof painting contractor unless you have extensive experience with DIY roofing work. They will get the prep work and application done properly to ensure a clean, long-lasting paint job. Consider your comfort level with heights, roof work, and whether you can commit 2-3 weekends of hard labor to get the job done right.

With the right approach, painting faded asphalt roof shingles can be a very cost-effective way to revitalize your home's exterior and protect your roof at the same time. Just be sure to carefully weigh all the pros and cons before diving into this major home maintenance project.

Reasons to Do It Yourself:

• Cost Savings - Doing it yourself avoids the significant labor costs of hiring a pro, though you'll still need to invest in quality roofing paint and supplies.

• Customization - As a homeowner, you can take your time and get creative with custom colors, designs, or patterns if desired.

• Sense of Accomplishment - Some find satisfaction in completing this major home maintenance task themselves.
  

Reasons to Hire a Professional:

• Safety - Working on a roof, especially a sloped roof, carries significant risks of falls and injuries. Professional roofers have the proper safety equipment and training to work at heights securely.

• Experience - Painting roof shingles requires specific techniques, materials, and preparation to ensure proper adhesion and longevity. Professionals know the best roof coatings, primers, and application methods.

• Speed and Quality - Skilled roof maintenance crews can complete the job much faster than a DIY homeowner. Their experience also leads to a higher quality, more consistent paint application.

• Warranties - Many professional roofing companies will provide a warranty for their workmanship on a roof painting job, protecting you if there are any issues down the road.

Overall, while doing it yourself is possible for an experienced DIYer, hiring an established roofing maintenance professional is usually the better choice for painting roof shingles. The risks of working at heights, lack of experience with proper techniques/materials, and labor-intensive nature of the job make it very challenging for most homeowners. Professionals can get it done safely and properly to ensure a long-lasting quality finish that protects your roof.

Unless you have prior roofing experience and a head for heights, it's generally advisable to get professional quotes and let the experts handle painting your asphalt shingle roof. The costs are reasonable compared to the risks and hassle of DIY roof painting for most homeowners.

Don't put off needed shingle repairs that could lead to bigger roofing problems down the road especially if the shingles can’t be fixed through paint. Protect your home's value and interior from potential water damage by getting your shingle issues addressed promptly by the pro contractors at Reitzel Exteriors.

They offer free estimates and consultations to assess your shingle repair needs. Their team can also advise you on when it may be time for a full roof replacement versus more economical shingle repairs.

For top-quality shingle repair services you can trust, get in touch with Reitzel Exteriors today:

• +1 757-513-7053

• info@reitzelexteriors.com

• reitzelexteriors.com