Shingles are extremely durable and hardy roofing materials

Shingles are extremely durable and hardy roofing materials. They seldom fail prematurely.

shingles are considered by many to be the premier shingles in the industry. In fact, less than 1% of all

shingles are found to have manufacturing defects. But they do age.

Signs of aging within a short time after installation of your new roof system are not unusual to find - sometimes even within the first year. As a homeowner you want to know whether the symptoms you see are precursors of premature failure of simply a natural part of the aging process.

This brochure is designed to help you make an informed judgment about the state of your shingle roof. Read the material carefully. The odds are that natural aging will be the process you see. But if the evidence supports a conclusion that you might have shingles with manufacturing defects, let us know. We want your roof shingles to live up to

'S promise, Quality made

, Satisfaction

.

THE HOSTILE ROOF ENVIRONMENT
How Normal Weathering Affects Your Roof
Consider the conditions your roof must endure. First there is the intense heat of the sun, which scorches the surface of the roof and raises rooftop temperatures 50-75°F above ambient temperature. The sun's rays are relentless, especially during the afternoon hours. In addition to the heat, the sun is the source of ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION, which has been shown to degrade and accelerate the aging of the asphalt layers of the shingle. If not for the protective layer of colored granules, roofing shingles would fail very quickly. Other factors such as moisture, pollution and physical effects (roof traffic, hail, snow loads, tree limbs, etc.) all contribute to the aging and degradation of your roofing shingles.

SEASONAL WEATHER CHANGES also play a role in the aging of asphalt roofing shingles. For example, consider the common situation in which the roof is bathed in the intense heat of the summer sun. On such a day the rooftop may reach temperatures in excess of 160°F. Now imagine a cold front sweeping through the area, bringing with it the violent thunderstorms that are a common occurrence during the sweltering days of summer. Almost instantaneously, the rooftop temperature drops 60-100°F as it's pounded with a summer shower. THERMAL SHOCKS such as this cause the roof deck beneath to expand and contract, placing a strain on the shingles. Year after year this process is repeated, resulting in CYCLIC FATIGUE of the shingles.

In addition to all of the climatic and external variables that can impact the performance of your roof, consider the internal factors that negatively influence the performance of roofing shingles. Research has confirmed that IMPROPERLY VENTED air space inhibits air movement and under most circumstances increases moisture content in comparison with properly vented attic air spaces. Heat shortens the shingles' life and moisture causes DECK MOVEMENT and / or deterioration, which ultimately affects the performance of the shingles.

As you can see, the roofing environment is a hostile one with many factors influencing the longevity of your roofing shingles. The NATURAL AGING PROCESS begins as soon as the shingles are installed on your roof. Day after day the shingles are exposed to the elements - sun, rain, heat and cold. Your roof never has a "good" day.

You might be asking yourself, "What can I expect my roof to look like as this aging process takes place?". One or more of the following conditions may occur over time:

CURLING: As the asphalt hardens over time, the granules which were once securely embedded begin to break away. Occasionally you may have seen the colored granules in your gutters. Also, as the hardening advances, the asphalt layers begins to shrink. Of course, all of this is occurring at a microscopic level and is not something which will be noticeable on a daily basis. As the asphalt layers shrinks, it is being countered by the shingle reinforcement, which resists shrinking. We now have a situation in which the top and bottom coatings are shrinking and the reinforcement is remaining stable. As a result, the edges of the shingle may begin to curl over time.

SURFACE CRACKING: Another manifestation of the normal aging process may be the development of surface cracks. For example, as the flexibilizing oils of the asphalt are depleted due to heat, the shingle becomes more brittle, to the point where surface cracks may appear. The stresses created by thermal shock and the movement of the roof deck also increase the likelihood of the surface cracking.

BLISTERS: During the course of natural weathering, small bubble-like raised areas known as blisters may appear on the surface of the shingles. The blisters may be small and pea-sized or as large as a quarter. The blisters may be open, exposing the asphalt, or closed. Blisters frequently result when minimum ventilation requirements are not met.

STAINING: Finally, over a period of time, shingles may develop dark brown or black streaks that are sometimes mistaken for soot, dirt, moss or tree droppings. In actuality, this discoloration may be caused by algae growth. Although most roofing systems are susceptible to algae discoloration, it is most readily visible on white or light-colored shingles.

ASPHALT is one of the primary ingredients in roofing shingles. Its purpose is to provide the waterproofing integrity for the roof. Secondarily, the asphalt holds the colored granules in place and contributes to the overall strength of the shingle. Asphalt, which is derived from petrolium, contains the oils that provide ductility and pliability to the shingles. During the lifetime of the shingles these oils begin to rise to the surface, where they are washed away by rainwater. In an attempt to restore equilibrium, new oils surface and the washing process continues. Also, the intense heat of the roof oxidizes or hardens the asphalt over time.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A ROOFING SHINGLE
When your new roof was installed, friends and neighbors may have remarked how it enhanced the beauty of your home. However, research indicates that aging begins soon after the shingles are installed and progresses rapidly during the INITIAL CURING PHASE of its life cycle. During this stage, granule loss may occur, small blisters may develop or the shingles may curl slightly at their edges. You may even notice that this curling is more pronounced during cold weather and the shingles may lie flat as temperatures rise. The good news, however, is that after this curling stage the shingles enter a LONG PERIOD OF SLOW AGING, which lasts for the major portion of the shingles' natural life.

During the "MID-LIFE" period, aging continues at a much slower rate. The cracking or granule loss still occurs but does not increase at a noticeable rate. Only after this long period of "mid-life" does the aging process begin to accelerate once again as the shingles enter their DECLINING YEARS. It's during this period that homeowners normally think about replacing their roofs.

CRACKING THROUGH THE REINFORCEMENT AND BALD SHINGLES ARE SERIOUS DEFECTS
Cracking Through Reinforcement
Depending upon the style of shingle, the normal weathering characteristics described earlier may be a sign of more serious problems. For example, cracks across a typical three-tab shingle may be a sign of weak reinforcement. This type of cracking threatens the waterproofing integrity of the roof and needs to be addressed immediately.
For the appliqué-style shingle, on the other hand, cracks that are restricted to the unreinforced decorative applique are the result of normal weathering and do not compromise the long-term performance of the roof system.

GRANULE LOSS EXPOSING ASPHALT
Large areas of granule loss that expose the underlying asphalt place the shingle at risk of premature failure because UV rays can now get to the asphalt layer.
In situations in which hail has knocked off large areas of granules, you can expect the life of your shingles to be appreciably reduced do the effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Shingles with open blisters in which the asphalt becomes visible are also at greater risk for premature failure.