Anyone ever paint a roof?

Question

I have a house I plan on rehabbing and the roof color doesn't go well with the rest of the house. The asphalt shingles are in good shape, so rather than replacing, I have been researching painting them. There's a variety of opinions and I was hoping to get any info from anyone who has tried it. The shingles are white, and dirty, and I'd love for them to be black.

Thanks in advance

Andy Thompson · Answer

I found an article from 2010 by Maciek Rupar, who is Director of technical services for the National Roofing Contractor's Association (NRCA). The article is titled Myth Busting:

It's not a highly technical notice, but in case the title alone cured your insomnia, I'll sum it up:

• - The advertised benefits of elastomeric roof coatings (shingle paint) are largely anecdotal and have not been investigated in controlled lab environments
• - There are no ASTM standards for field applied roof coatings.
• - Application directions require a clean dry roof.  NRCA do not recommend using a pressure washer because it may damage shingles.
• - Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association "strongly advises caution when considering the application of any type of field applied coating over installed asphalt shingles," due to possible shingle curling/warping and possible vapor barrier may cause premature failure of roof decking.
• - Some shingle manufacturer's specifically state that coating will void the warranty.  Others are likely to say that their more vague language suggests the same is true.  Recommendation is to contact the particular manufacturer directly.
• - Local codes may specifically prohibit the application of shingle paint (e.g. 2007 Florida Building Code 1521.18.1)

In summary, the claimed benefits of the products are unsubstantiated, while the potential risks are very real.

Also, since Maciek Rupar graduated from the prestigious University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, he's must be a really really smart person and I'm inclined to take him at his word.  Hail to the Orange.  That is all.

Mark Gallagher · Answer

Any latex house paint should work fine provided that the roof has a pitch. I'd spray it on (make sure it's not windy and you don't paint the neighbor's house/car!) You'll lose the granular look, obviously. I once sold paint, and someone wanted to paint an old Pizza Hut roof yellow. He used simple latex exterior paint. I still drive by the building and 7 years later, it still looks fresh.

I'd be more concerned with 2 things:

1) The drastic temperature change the house will experience in going from white to black shingles

2) A home inspector for your end buyer who might throw up a red flag since he won't run into something like that very often.

Chris Gordon · Answer

Seriously, see if there's a Spray-Net location near you. Fantastic products for recoating roof and changing color of it, too. Comes with written warranty...really worth doing.

Jerry V. · Answer

Stephen: You can "coat" a FLAT Roof (or metal?), if that is what you have.  There are many stipulations and conditions, leading to what product to use, etc etc etc... Start with: what material do you have up there now?  Figure that out, then do your searches.

Basic steps are:  Clean spots/areas that need repairs; Do small repairs; Clean entire roof (yes, low pressure wash); Primer first! then main main coating -> Cut in (like house painting) around edges, penetrations, hardware; Coat main surfaces.

You'll probably wind up using a good acrylic (cheap and easily available), to a silicone mix or pure (costly but lasts longer).  There are tons of products out there, some found at the box stores, others at the Supply Co's .

Hope this helps and good luck on the project!

(w/ J's Roofing - Richardson, TX)

Carlton B. · Answer

Wow never heard of this but makes sense for roofs to new to replace. Also to change over all character of a house. I had to youtube a  couple videos.

Archer Grimley · Answer

Just make sure you get an itemized and finalized assurance... from the plumber, not the paint manufacturer... and ask to see some of there past perform.... (unfortunately) they all look excellent from the floor though.....If the directing is very directly with few to no trowel represents... and the colour is awesome and dense..... particularly look at the noses on the end two series of flooring.... this is the free gift place of a slim apply job by an unskilled restorer... create sure those noses are just as bright and protected as all the others on the ceiling....Also you can get an idea from Creative Painting Perth for renovate your house and well decorate.

Good Luck...

Rich Cee · Answer

@Patrick Snyder , As a former roofing contractor my advice is to tread lightly. It is very difficult to find a proper paint that adhere to granulated roofing AND will not peel for some time due to weather. Expansion and contraction is a key player in the key playing against you. You've mentioned you've found multiple paints that will due the job well research how long they have been on the market for. You due not want to be a ginny pig for a corporations newer product. A respectable (non- sales pitch) type of advice may come from local roofing supply companies and roofing contractors WITH decades of experience in the business who can confirmed they've used said paint.

Patrick Snyder · Answer

thanks for the replies.  I have found several paints that fit the job, so barring any unforseen problems, I'll probably move forward.  If I do, I'll post the pics.

Thanks again

Pat L. · Answer

But don't do what one of our friends did.

In an effort to get them 'clean' before painting he power washed the roofing tile.

But he did a nice job painting the vinyl siding after the cleaned sections of the roof had to be replaced.

The paint on the vinyl siding held up well, the roof not so good.

good luck & post b4/aft pics.

Leo B. · Answer

I see roofs painted on McDonalds' and Burger Kings, etc. all the time.

If you do that, go to Sherwin Williams store, and talk to store manager, and see what s/he recommends as far as the product. There are literally 1000s of paint types, and most will not work in this application.

PS - we did a metal roof on an IHOP restaurant, and for some reason they painted it This spring (original paint was in GREAT shape, and had 30+ years on it). 2 months later the "new" paint came off / became grey, and they just painted it second time, two shades off - I really have no idea why - probably corporate rebranding, as the also redid the exterior

Anyone ever paint a roof?

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