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If your shingle roof is old, leaky, or in need of a makeover, painting your shingles may seem like a good idea. Paint helps revitalize and protect other exterior parts of your home, so can you paint your shingles too?
Generally, you should not paint shingles. In some limited cases, you may want to paint shingles. The disadvantages far outweigh the few benefits of painting shingles and can lead to serious damage to the roof.
Types of roofs that can be painted
Roof coating, also known as field coating, is the application of a liquid coating to a roof. Perceived benefits include energy savings, repairing roof leaks, and refreshing the appearance of the roof.
However, only flat or low-slope roofs with the following roofing materials (not shingles) can be successfully painted:
- Asphalt
- Asphalt
- Granular cover plate
- Modified Bitumen
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When to paint the roof
If you decide to paint shingles, only paint shingles on non-essential, unoccupied outdoor structures such as gazebos, picnic shelters, or wood or timber sheds.
If you decide to paint occupied structures such as your primary residence, do so while the shingles and sheathing are in their final stages before replacement.
Problems when painting tile roofs
Shingles are designed to be laid loosely over the roof sheathing. Shingle paint helps keep the shingles from shifting and keeping moisture out.
Shrink paint
As the roofing paint shrinks, it can pull the shingles in and cause them to warp and cave in. This is irreversible.
Lost tile
Paint peels and removes particles from shingles. Roofing particles are small mineral particles that are applied to shingles by the factory to color and protect the shingles from harmful sunlight.
Moisture trap
Paint traps moisture under shingles and sheathing. Paint and other coatings seal shingles like vapor retarders. This allows moisture to build up under shingles and wood sheathing, causing the plywood to rot.
Prevent warranty claims
Painting shingles may not void the shingle limited warranty. However, damage caused by shingle painting, such as warping, cracking, and blistering, is the responsibility of the owner. Therefore, damage caused by shingle painting is outside the scope of the limited warranty.
May not be allowed
Your local building regulations or insurance company may not allow painting of the roof. This could change the fire resistance of the roof or create a safety hazard when walking on it.
Reuse and maintenance
Painted roof shingles require more maintenance and touch-up than bare roof shingles.
How to Paint Your Roof
If you decide to paint your roof tiles, consult with a roofing contractor first. It may be less expensive and less disruptive to replace your roof with tiles of the desired color than to repaint your existing tiles.
- Roof inspection: Inspect the roof and consult a roofing professional.
- Roof Repair: Clean the roof, then repair or replace the shingles.
- Adhesion test: Check the adhesion of the roof coating in a hidden area.
- Roof primer: Apply base coat or primer to the roof.
- Roof Covering: Coat the roof twice with roller, sprayer or brush.
Types of paint to use
Although it is not recommended to paint shingles, if you do decide to paint shingles, never use acrylic-latex paints on the exterior or interior. Instead, use coatings designed for low-slope or non-slope roof systems: acrylic, silicone, or polyurethane roof coatings and primers.
- Acrylic:Acrylic roof coatings are best suited for most solid roofs.
- Silicon: Works well on roofs with adhesion problems.
- Polyurethane:This is a good choice for hard surfaces as it has high resistance to abrasion and impact.
Advantages and disadvantages
Frequently Asked Questions
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Shingles should not be painted. Painted shingles will retain moisture, cause rot, pull out roof shingle granules, and may cause permit or code issues.
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Paint on shingles will not last. Painted shingles may last three or four years, but will rot and damage the roof sheathing.
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Do not paint roof shingles. If you decide to paint roof shingles, use only acrylic, silicone, or polyurethane coatings. Do not use regular latex house paint.
