Roofs on your house can be of different types, materials, designs, and colors. You can use metal roofing, wooden pieces, natural slate, clay tiles, and/or asphalt for the shingles. The choice of the roofing material and its associated components depends on your preferences.
According to a survey, it was found that the most commonly used shingles for the roof are asphalt shingles. As a homeowner, if you have an asphalt shingle roofing system, it is important for you to know what some of the factors are that affect the health and overall condition of the roof over the course of time.
Which factors will affect your asphalt roof in the years to come?
#1 The Overall Quality Of The Asphalt Shingle
If your asphalt shingles are of supreme quality, they will last for a long period without losing their operational efficiency. But if the quality of the asphalt is not so good, then you will have to face frequent repairs and you might even have to be prepared for early roof replacement. The quality of the asphalt shingle is something that will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. So if you want your asphalt roof to stay strong and sturdy for a long time, choose asphalt shingles of the highest grade.
#2 Ensure That The Asphalt Roof Is Installed by Professionals
Besides quality, the installation of asphalt roofs must also be performed in the best way possible. For this, you need to hire professional roofing contractors who understand your requirements and get the work done with perfection. Professional roofing contractors have the skills and expertise to undertake such work and complete it meticulously.
Perfect installation of the asphalt roof ensures that it will remain strong and withstand harsh climatic conditions, protecting the building or the house. If the installation of the asphalt shingles is not completed with perfection, this will lead to water leaks, breaking of seals, and developing cracks around the flashing. It will damage the structural integrity of the roof, and you will have to get the roof replaced early.
#3 The Climatic Conditions In Your Area
Different residential regions have different climatic conditions — some are pleasant and some are very harsh. So if you are having an asphalt roof installed in a region that is prone to heavy snowfall, rainfall, storms, or hailstones, then the roof may not be able to withstand such conditions for long.
The weight of snow, for instance, can destroy the underlayment or the wooden framework that supports the topmost layer of the roof.
Extreme heat from the sun and associated UV rays can destroy the efficiency of the shingles and they will eventually lose their granules. In such a situation, the asphalt shingles won’t be able to last for a long time.
Hailstones can have a huge impact on asphalt shingles. They can develop huge dents on the shingles and cause them to break.
#4 The Attic Ventilation Of The Asphalt Roof
Ventilation that is installed in the attic is responsible for allowing heat to escape from the interior of the house, which helps in keeping the interior room temperature comfortable, and also ensuring that the roof is stable.
When vents are not working properly, escaped heat will get trapped inside the asphalt shingles and this leads to blister and bubble formation. Once this is happening, it will affect the quality of the asphalt, and you will have to get shingles replaced.
Summary
Asphalt roofs are quite commonly used by homeowners to protect their houses because they are strong, efficient, and have a long service life. Ideally, you want to use high quality shingles. Get your roof and its shingles professionally inspected annually. Ensure that your vents are working well. And if your neighborhood experiences extreme weather, check your roof to see how it’s doing– it might need repairs, especially after snowstorms.