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Why Asphalt Roofs Fail Early

Asphalt shingles are still a common roofing material in the United States, but the truth is, they’re far from being the most reliable option available. These shingles aren’t durable, have short lifespans, and decay over time, making them inferior to metal roofing. Check out our helpful summary to discover common asphalt shingle roof problems homeowners experience.

Key Insight
Today’s asphalt shingles last just 15–20 years on average—a steep drop from the 30–35 years older versions delivered.
A metal roof can last more than 60 years.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have been around since the 1920s. Years ago, asphalt shingles, also called organic shingles, consisted of a heavy felt-like material that was saturated with asphalt, making them water resistant. The shingles were then coated with adhesive asphalt and stone-like granules that were ingrained within the shingles.

Organic shingles contained at least 40% more asphalt than the fiberglass shingles that are made today, which provided more weight, durability, and resistance to wind.

 

Back in the day, you could get 30–35 years out of an asphalt roof.

Starting in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, the composition of the asphalt shingle changed dramatically. To keep the cost of asphalt shingles down, primarily due to rising oil costs, heavy felt paper was replaced with a lighter weight fiberglass material. Fiberglass became very popular because the material is far less expensive, easier to produce, and easier to work with.

The fiberglass mat is coated with a mineral filler which adheres to the mat to help make it waterproof. A final adhesive coating is used with additional ceramic granules that are embedded into the mat. A significant amount of the granules consists of limestone, which attract airborne algae, leading to granule loss and the unattractive dark streaking you see today.

Metal roofs don’t streak— not now, and not 50 years from now.

The Lifespan of Asphalt Shingles

Today, asphalt shingles sometimes last 15-20  years on average. The significant decrease in the life of the asphalt shingle is due to the cheaper materials and the lack of oil and asphalt content. Longevity also  depends to some degree on how and where the shingles are installed.

  • Shingles found in cooler locations will have a longer lifespan than in warmer climates.
  • The average lifespan in hotter locations like the southwest is typically 14 years, and here in Ohio and western Pennsylvania, the average lifespan is approximately 15–20 years.
⚠
Warning

Before asphalt roofing even passes the 10-year mark, it typically falls victim to granule loss, cracking, splitting, algae streaking, and other signs that the roof is breaking down.

Seemingly Small Problems

Extremes in temperatures will have a major effect on the life of asphalt shingles. Warmer climates will limit the life of a shingle. Asphalt shingles that are exposed to extreme temperature changes within a short period of time will lead to:

❌ Premature splits and cracks

❌ Other damage due to intense expansion and contraction

Splits, cracks, and other damage that’s left exposed to extreme temperature changes can lead to water getting into those areas and creating further damage.

Shingle granule loss is what it sounds like – the panel is literally beginning to deteriorate. Although it isn’t always noticeable at first, a clear sign of shingle granule loss is looking in your gutters and finding them filled with granules. 

To see what is happening with your asphalt roof:

    1. If you’re comfortable with getting on a ladder and feel safe doing so, inspect the first couple of rows of shingles
    2. Look for uneven granule coverage, including spots where you can see the fiberglass pad underneath
    3. Check your gutters; they’ll likely contain a large number of granules
    4. Look for splits, cracking, and curling within the shingles
    5. From the ground, look for black algae streaking (most common on the north side of the structure)
    6. If you spot significant signs, schedule a professional inspection to understand your roof’s overall health and avoid further damage

Factors That Affect the Life Expectancy of Asphalt Shingles

  • Multiple-layer roof – An asphalt roof installed over an existing layer of asphalt will have a shorter life
  • Installation – Poorly or improper installation will shorten the roof life
  • Attic ventilation – An unventilated or poorly ventilated attic will reduce the life of the shingle
  • Trees near the roof – Trees blocking the sun from reaching your roof can lead to algae and fungus forming on the roof, causing the roof to break down prematurely
  • Harsh climate – Severe weather, harsh winters, hot summers, and extreme temperature changes can cause an asphalt roof to age quickly

At home and garden shows and customer meetings, we’ve spoken with many homeowners who have struggled with asphalt roofs that have failed well before what was promised.

We’ve heard from thousands of disillusioned homeowners whose roofs failed in
9 years or less.

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Watch the Warranty Fine Print

Many homeowners were sold “35-year” warranties only to learn they were pro-rated and worth pennies on the dollar after just 10–15 years. In most cases, only manufacturing defects are covered—not the circumstances that actually lead to roof failure. Pro-ration protects the manufacturer, so by the time you need the warranty, it’s often expired or worth far less.

Distinctive Metal Roofing doesn’t let this happen to our customers, because we proudly offer the best warranties in the roofing industry, all of which are non-pro-rated. A metal roof from Distinctive Metal Roofing is truly the last roof you’ll ever need.

How to Avoid Roofing Problems

So, now that you know the common asphalt shingle roof problems, how can you avoid them? The best method for side-stepping these issues is by choosing a better material from the outset.

For instance, high-quality metal roofing can protect your home for more than 60 years without a problem. One major benefit of using metal roofing for your home is its energy efficiency. Metal roofs receive a finish of Kynar 500 coating, which reflects UV rays and greatly reduces the indoor house temperature. Open attic spaces show a 30 degree decrease when a metal roof was installed vs. and asphalt roof. By using less electricity cooling the home, you’ll see lower energy costs throughout the hot summer months. Plus, the Kynar 500 coating will resist chalking and fading, so your roof will maintain its color and beauty over the life of the product.

 If you want reliable performance, always choose a metal roofing expert with years of experience and plenty of happy customers. With a professionally installed metal roof, maintenance needs are rare  and you will have a roof that will protect your home for a lifetime!

Contact Our Team

Ready to invest in the long-term? Choose our premium metal roofing services to protect your home for a lifetime! Reach out today for a free estimate.

How To Paint Your Existing Metal Roof

How To Paint Your Existing Metal Roof

How To Paint Your Existing Metal Roof

Metal roofing is fantastic for its longevity and stylish design. If you have a metal roof, you probably already know how many benefits it provides. Sometimes, though, the color of that roof isn’t exactly what you were going for. Is there anything you can do about that? The answer is yes, but there are a few things to know before you head up the ladder to get started. We’ll walk you through how to paint your existing metal roof so that you can do it safely and efficiently.

Can You Repaint Your Metal Roof?

The answer here is that, yes, you can. In fact, this applies to almost every type of metal roof. If you recently got your roof installed, though, you should give it about six months before you start any repainting so that it can accumulate some wear and tear.

Before Painting

Your roof sees a lot of use, and many things can accumulate and make the painting process more difficult. You’ll want to keep an eye out for things like mildew, chipping paint, dirt, and grime so that you can focus on those areas when you power wash the roof. You can also use a diluted vinegar solution to remove any leftover paint oils.

Choose Your Paint Type

You’ll need to make sure you’re using the right kind of paint. If your roof is bare metal, or if it already had a coat of paint that you want to go over, your best bet is acrylic latex paint. Another option would be a combination of oil-based paint and a galvanized metal primer.

Application

If your roof is steep or particularly tall, you’ll definitely benefit from using a paint sprayer to reach those difficult areas. If you’d rather do it by hand, you can buy paint rollers made for corrugated metal that will help you cover the roof much quicker. In terms of how many coats you apply, the number is really up to you. It depends on the look you’re going for, so just use your best judgment to decide when you’re finished.

Knowing how to paint an existing metal roof will help you decide if it’s the right decision for you. Distinctive Metal Roofing provides the highest-quality Ohio metal roofing in the area, and we always want to make sure you’re satisfied with our product.

Essential Fall Home Maintenance

Essential Fall Home Maintenance

Essential Fall Home Maintenance

As the temperature begins to drop and the leaves along with it, fall has finally arrived. With the break of autumn comes plenty of wonderful things, but it is not all pumpkins and apple cider. With the advent of fall comes a new host of things that you will need to keep an eye out for when it comes to your home. Home maintenance becomes even more important the closer it gets to winter and the harsh conditions that it brings. Here is some of the essential fall home maintenance that you should perform on your house to get ready for the colder months.

Clean Out Your Gutters

While the falling leaves can be beautiful, they are also a nightmare for your gutters. All that extra foliage must go somewhere, and the gutters of nearby houses seem to be where they gravitate to. During the fall, and definitely before winter arrives, regular gutter maintenance is a must in order to ensure that your home has proper drainage. Remove any foliage buildup and test the flow of your gutters with a hose to make sure it’s not clogged anywhere that you are not able to see. Forgetting to do this can lead to much more troublesome problems in the winter, including leaks and damage to your roof.

Maintain Your Heating System

Perhaps even worse than being without air conditioning in the summer, being without heat in the colder months can be a truly terrible concept. Now is the time to make sure that every part of your HVAC system is in tip-top shape. Make sure to change the air filter regularly to keep your heater in working condition and always have spare filters ready to go just in case you need to change them. To be extra safe, you may want to call in an HVAC specialist to inspect your system and tune it up so you can have some peace of mind when winter rolls around. Along with the heater itself, be sure to inspect your vents and ducts for any sign of wear and tear. If you do not yet have one, a programmable thermostat is going to be your best bet when it comes to heating your home and saving on energy costs.

Bring in Your Patio Furniture

One less involved task that is easy to do is to bring in your outside patio and deck furniture. You may be tempted to just leave them out, especially if you live somewhere that gets less snow than average. However, the cold itself can have detrimental effects on your outdoor furniture, so it is a good idea to pack them up and wait until it is nicer out once again. Remember to cover them with a blanket or other covering in order to keep them in good shape for next year.

Drain Your Outdoor Faucets

Any faucets or water lines that you have outdoors need to be drained and shut off before the temperature gets too low. The last thing that you want to deal with in fall or winter is to have to deal with a frozen or burst pipe. Make sure to disconnect any hoses you have set up outdoors as well if you do not want them to freeze over as well.

Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is going to be the only thing protecting you and your family from the harsh weather conditions outside, so it pays to keep an eye on it. This is especially important if any severe storms have rolled through your area throughout the summer. You will need to check for wear and tear and fix these problems accordingly. If you have any shingles that are broken or cracked, they will only get worse as the season goes on so be sure to replace them as soon as you can. Check around problem areas, such around chimneys or skylights, to make sure that nothing is seeping in through the sides of them.

We at Distinctive Metal Roofing understand how important this aspect of your home is and we want to help you have the peace of mind that a good roof can give you. Our metal roofing in Butler, PA, as well as our other locations, is of the highest quality and is installed by skilled professionals with years in the industry to help make sure your home and family are safe during the harsher months of the year.

Prepare Your Lawn

Lawn maintenance does not stop the moment summer has ended. In fact, if you want your lawn to look great when the next spring comes around, you will have to do take some preventative measures. Grass roots are still active even in the colder months when the grass is not actually growing. This means that fertilizer is still your best friend. Fertilizing your grass in the fall means that it will bounce back to its lush, green state even faster once winter is over. It goes without saying that raking or blowing away the fallen leaves on your lawn is also very important for your grass to continue to receive that all-important sunlight it needs.

Test Your Winter Equipment

While the weather is still nice and you have the extra time, you may want to give your winter equipment a test run to make sure it is still running. You do not want to wait until you need your snowblower only to find out that the lack of use has made it break down over time. Fall is the perfect time to test out things that you will need for winter before it you actually need them. If they are broken down now, at least you do not have to run out into the frigid cold to get them fixed.

Distinctive Metal Roofing has compiled this list of essential fall home maintenance items because we want you to be as prepared as you can possibly be for the wintery months. Slacking on doing these things will only cause you future headaches, and you will have to deal with those headaches in the blistering cold, so it is better to take care of these things now. When you are ready to future-proof your home’s roofing, we will be there to make that transition and simple and as easy as possible.

Essential Fall Home Maintenance

Is It Possible To Install a Metal Roof in Winter?

 

fallIs it possible to install a metal roof in winter? This is a great question and a common concern of many homeowners.

Most home owners want to get their new roof installed before the weather turns cold. If your roof is reaching its end of life, don’t wait until your roof completely breaks down. A small leak can lead to bigger problems, causing expensive interior damage to your home.

When the weather starts to become cold, special care is required when handling asphalt shingles. When the weather drops below 50 degrees, asphalt shingles become less flexible, making them susceptible to cracking or, in severe cases, breaking apart. Asphalt shingle bundles tend to keep the shape upon which they are stacked. When nailing, it is important for the shingles to lay flat; otherwise, the nail may break through the shingle during installation. Most asphalt shingles are manufactured with a thermally activated asphalt sealant, which bonds the shingles together once they are installed and exposed to several weeks of sufficient heat from the sunlight. The thermal activation process is critical in protecting your home from wind uplift and stopping water from entering your home. Open metal valleys should be considered when working in cold weather. Woven or closed valleys require shingles to be cut and bent, which may result in shingle damage.

Unlike asphalt shingles, which become brittle when the weather turns cold and rely upon adhesives that require warm temperatures to “activate” and prevent water from entering your home, a quality metal roof can be installed year-round. A quality metal roof is interlocking and does not rely upon sealants as a primary method to protect your home from the weather. In fact, installing a metal roof in winter is the same as it is in the summer—just a little colder!

Whether you need new roofing in winter or summer, the Distinctive Metal Roofing team is available to help you with your metal roofing needs year-round. We’ll provide you with a FREE ballpark metal roofing estimate for your home over the phone, and if the cost is within your budget range, we’ll meet to show you samples and answer all your questions while effortlessly guiding you through the process of selecting your new metal roof.

The Distinctive Metal Roofing team looks forward to working with you!

Cleveland / Akron Roof Installers: Standing Seam

A standing seam roof in Cleveland

Standing seam roofing is often referred to as “barn roofing”,  and it’s becoming a popular choice for roofing Akron & Cleveland area homes. Unfortunately, there are many purveyors of these products who do not follow through with quality standing seam roof installation.

Every new standing seam roof installation requires:

  • deck preparation
  • underlayment
  • fabrication
  • placement
  • fastening
  • flashing

Metal provides unique opportunities for protecting your home, but in the wrong hands, those opportunities can be lost by an installer who does not specialize in metal.

Choosing the Right Standing Seam Roof Installer

You’ve made the decision to purchase a standing seam metal roof; good move. Now, don’t compromise that good decision with the poor choice of a roof installer.

Just going through a list of what to do isn’t enough; your contractor must know how to do it right. There are differences in installation techniques. Distinctive Metal Roofing installs every standing seam roof with attention to detail that other installers just don’t. Though we won’t go into detail here, our installation practices are the very best in the industry. They are 1 ingredient of our “secret sauce”, and we will only share them with you in-person.

The difference between a bad installation and a great installation is huge, and will only become more obvious over the coming years. At the very least, ensure that your roof installer is following the manufacturers’ instructions for installation, and adheres to all local building standards.

A Great Product Deserves Great Installation

You, having decided on a metal roof, deserve great service, great product, great installation, and great peace of mind. Distinctive Metal Roofing will provide you with these things, and more.  We’re right here, in your community and a part of it. We know about the challenges our local environment can throw at a roof…and we know how to protect your home.

Early Decisions on a Roof: Cleveland / Akron Home Building

new home construction

With new homes being designed and built specifically for owners in Cleveland & Akron, roofing decisions need to come early in the building process. We know that no matter where you build a new home, there are thousands of choices to be made. In Akron and Cleveland: roof choices carry extra weight because of the weather we enjoy!

A Metal Roof for Your New Home

You started thinking about and planning your new home build from the ground up…but don’t save your roofing decision for last! Consider a metal roof for your new home; a roof that will last a lifetime.

Standard, asphalt shingles (a builder’s usual choice for roofing) provide only temporary protection for your home and family, lasting only 15 years. The roof will begin to break down the very minute it is installed. Breakdowns in common roofing products result in compromise the beauty of your new home, and the function of the roof: to protect your home, and all it contains, from the elements. You can learn more about how asphalt roofs fail here. In contrast, a metal roof from Distinctive Metal Roofing actually adds value to your investment.

Make a Roofing Decision Once

Our metal roofing products carry lifetime warranties that even transfer with the sale of the home. However, if you plan to stay in your home for the long term, you can be assured that this is the last roof you will ever need. With low maintenance, long-lasting beauty, and our exceptional service, you can actually enjoy your roofing decision for years to come.

The roof on your brand new home should function as a system, just like the HVAC and other mechanical systems each new build requires. Why not decide on a roofing system that lasts, saves energy, and protects?

We will be happy to talk to you, your architect, or builder about exploring our metal roofing options for your new home. Don’t settle for a product that though intended to protect your most valuable asset, is known to fail.

MANY NEW METAL ROOFS IN OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA!

From Edinboro, Gibsonia and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Cleveland, Wakeman, Amherst, Westlake, Berea, Hudson, and Hinckley Ohio we’ve been crazy busy and we’re loving every minute of it! If you keep up with our posts, please forgive my inability to keep up with adding photos of each job. However, if you’re a FACEBOOK user, it’s been quick and easy for me to post almost every job there and you’re welcome to LIKE us there.

HEY CLEVELAND AND NORTHEAST OHIO…. READ THOSE ROOFING WARRANTIES!

If I tell you that I’ll warrant your toaster against manufacturing defects for 30, 40, 50 years, or a “lifetime”, do you think your toaster will last for 30, 40, 50 years, or a “lifetime”? Notice, I didn’t say I’d warrant your toaster’s serviceability for a “lifetime”.

Time and time again, I’m told that someone has replaced their roof with a 30, 40, 50, or “Lifetime” asphalt roof. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the only thing that’s “Lifetime” about an asphalt roof is that you’ll be replacing it over and over again…for a LIFETIME. What’s really covered for those time periods? Do you know? Well, if you’re like me and want to know what you’re buying, you’ll research expensive purchases pretty thoroughly. Most people don’t, unfortunately. They’re the ones who keep buying asphalt roofs and wonder why they’ve failed “prematurely”. The thing is, they haven’t failed prematurely in most cases, they’ve just failed against a homeowner’s unrealistic expectations that they’d last 30, 40, 50 years, or a “Lifetime”.

Asphalt roofing warranties will typically tell you that most things that can happen to an asphalt roof (blow offs, failure to seal, granule loss, streaking, etc.) are only covered for a VERY limited period of time, and often pro-rated during that time, or immediately after. What IS covered for 30, 40, 50 years, or “Lifetime” is manufacturing defects.

When’s the last time you used a warranty for a “manufacturing defect” to get a replacement for anything you’ve  purchased? Yep, that’s what I thought. We’re too smart to be fooled by asphalt warranties that have been used as marketing ploys for years by the asphalt roofing industry. Metal roofing warranties really mean “lifetime” when they say it….your lifetime, and even then, many are transferable to the next owner. Please call me and I’ll send you an asphalt warranty and our metal roofing warranty and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about once you compare and contrast the two. An excerpt from one of the major asphalt players appears next to this post. Unfathomable that they  say “lifetime” and “15 years” in the very same sentence, no? And later in the warranty, it tells us that the algae warranty is pro-rated after the first year. Tricky stuff!

INSURANCE COVERING YOUR ROOFING COSTS??

It’s amazing! There are about 15 homes that directly surround me on my semi-circle type street. Some of us have received settlements for a complete roof replacement (and then some) and others haven’t! Yet all have seen the same weather issues (excessive wind/hail), all built our homes 12 years ago within months of each other, and we all need new roofs. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones and will be replacing my ugly asphalt roof (that needed to be replaced 2 years ago, after only 10 years of service) with a metal roof, of course. I plan on staying in my house for the long haul so it makes perfect sense to never replace my roof again, as will be the case with a Kassel and Irons “KasselWood” roof. So if you’re in doubt about whether your roof will be covered based on your neighbor’s experience, don’t hesitate to call your insurance agent and file a claim if you’re constantly replacing blown off shingles or believe your roof has been  hail damaged, regardless of the age of your roof. It may be worth it in a BIG$$ way!

AKRON LOVES METAL ROOFING!

KasselWood Aged Cedar - West Lafayette, OH 43485
And Distinctive Metal Roofing loves Akron! If you’re thinking about a new asphalt roof for your Akron home, please consider metal roofing from Distinctive Metal Roofing. We’re the experts in northern Ohio. Metal roofing is our focus, and we are expert installers of the world’s finest, longest lasting, greenest, and most beautiful metal roofing materials available. Whether your roof is wind damaged, hail damaged, or is simply worn out, we have a roof that will last you decades. It’ll be the last roof you ever buy.

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