Roof condition
Why Do Asphalt Shingles Become Brittle?
The aging cycle
A dark roof surface in direct July sun can run far hotter than the air temperature, then drop sharply overnight. Repeated thousands of times, that cycling drives lighter fractions out of the asphalt.
Granules are the shingle's sunscreen. As the binder holding them stiffens, more of them wash into the gutters, more asphalt is exposed to UV, and the drying accelerates.
Why New England is hard on shingles
Our region combines strong summer UV with a long freeze/thaw season. Water enters small surface fissures, freezes, expands, and widens them. North-facing slopes hold snow and moss; south-facing slopes take the UV load. It is common to see two visibly different roof ages on the same house.
What accelerates it on a specific house
- Inadequate attic ventilation, which cooks the underside of the deck
- Dark shingle colors on unshaded southern exposures
- Overhanging limbs that keep slopes damp and shed debris
- Multiple roofing layers trapping heat
- Poor initial nailing or fastener placement
Not sure where your roof stands?
A free assessment tells you which of the three paths fits your roof — including when rejuvenation is not appropriate.