The sun can be very powerful when it comes to your home. It does help provide warmth and light that we can all appreciate during the winter months however, too much UV exposure can cause pretty significant damage to your home and roof.
How does the sun damage your roof?
There are actually three primary ways that the sun can damage your roof. Coating damage, bleaching, and what’s called thermal shock are all primary examples of sun damage.
Coating Damage: This occurs when the UV rays break down the protective coating on your shingles, which causes them to become brittle and cracked.
Bleaching: The UV sun rays can cause the color of your shingles to fade, which will usually result in an unsightly appearance. This will affect your roof more if you have a dark-colored roof.
Thermal Shock: In more extreme cases, excessive sun exposure can cause the asphalt in your shingles to soften, which can cause other issues like leaking or structural problems. Metal roofing can also ensure destabilization from thermal shock.
Here are some signs to look for in recognizing Sun Exposure Damage:
- Missing or cracked shingles.
- Bald spots where the granules have worn away.
- Dull or faded appearance.
- Gaps around vents, skylights, or chimneys.
- If you notice any of these signs on your roof, make sure to take action to avoid further damage.
Here are a few things that you can do to protect your roof:
Install UV-Resistant Shingles- These types of shingles are designed to reflect more of the sun’s rays.
Apply a cool roof coating- This type of coating will help to reflect sunlight away from the roof. Which will keep it cooler and help prevent damage.
Invest in durable, high-quality roof materials- Higher-quality roof materials are designed to hold up much better in direct sunlight. They will last longer and look better as well.
If you think that you need to repair or replace your sun-damaged roof, give Middle Creek Roofing a call at 1-717-949-2414, we would be happy to come out and assess your situation.
Read our Roofing blog to discover more additional information about your roof!