Can Roof Shingle Be Painted? (It’s Complicated!)

Many of us have looked at our roof shingles over the years and wished we could replace them. 

Sadly, retiling a whole roof can be expensive and time-consuming. The good news is that there is another option. 

If you are thinking about replacing your roof for aesthetic reasons you should consider painting your shingles instead. 

It is a complicated task that requires lots of tools, time, and luck with the weather. It is, however, a great way to save yourself some money. You can even get someone to come in and do it for you. 

But it comes with a few cautions and complications that you need to be aware of first...

Can roof shingles be painted? 

Can roof singles be painted? The answer to this question is wonderfully simple - yes! 

However, the act of painting one's roof shingles is not so simple. In fact, it can be rather complicated. 

It is generally recommended that you bring in professional help to paint your roof. However, it is completely possible to do this yourself. Later in the article, we have a guide to doing this. 

The Benefits of Painting Your Roof Shingles 

As with anything, there are pros and cons to painting your roof shingles.

You will notice that there are far more pros when it comes to this job. Let's take a look at them: 

Pros

• You can give your house a new look 
  
  
• It will extend the lifespan of your roofing 
  
  
• It is cheaper than replacing your roof 
  
  
• You can get roof paints with added benefits like waterproofing, heat proofing, etc 
  
  
• Heat reflecting paints can lower your AC bills in the summer. 
  
  
• Light colors can make houses look bigger

Cons 

• This is a tricky job that requires a lot of equipment and time 
• Painted roofs require more maintenance than traditional roofing 

How to Choose Your Roof Color 

Here are four things you should consider before picking the new color of your roof: 

The neighborhood color scheme - Whilst it is often okay in life to go against the grain. When it comes to roof color you might want to play things a little safer.

Take into account the color scheme of your neighborhood, it is fine to pick something a little different from the crowd, make sure it doesn't clash with next door. 

The size of your home - A simple trick to making your house look bigger is to paint its roof a lighter color.

Whilst these colors are harder to keep looking good, they can play tricks on the eyes.  

External features on your home - Make sure the color you pick doesn't clash or wash out the external features on your home.

Choosing the right color roof can really make these features pop. 

The resale value of your home - If you think you'll be selling your home soon then take that into account when picking your new roof color.

Buyers tend to prefer something neutral and traditional. So maybe save that hot pink paint for your next place… 

How to Paint Roof Shingles 

As we mentioned above, painting your roof shingles can be a tricky task. It is recommended that you bring in professionals to do it for you.

However, we understand that lots of people like to do tasks like this themselves. So, we have put together a step by step guide to painting your roof shingles: 

Step 1 - Clean your roof. This is one of the most critical steps, as putting paint on top of dirt doesn't work.

To get the longest life out of your paintwork, you should lay it down on a clean base. 

The easiest way to clean a roof is to use a power washer. Make sure there isn't any moss left on the roof either. 

Step 2 - The preparation. There are a few things you will need to prepare for painting your roof.

Firstly, you will need to pick the type and color of paint you want for your roof. 

Then you will need to acquire your painting equipment. Using a pressure spray painter will be the easiest and quickest way to paint your whole roof. But a thick paintbrush will also do the trick. Rollers will not. 

You will also need to wait for 2-3 days of dry weather. You do not want the paint to get wet. It doesn't need to be sunny or warm, it just needs to be dry. 

Step 3 - Get onto your roof. Remember to do this safely. Have someone footing your ladder, or set yourself up some scaffolding.

You'll be going up and down all day. 

Step 4 - Paint! With your first layer, you will want to make sure that you cover the whole roof.

Get between the gaps in the shingle. And paint as much of the underside of the tiles as you can. 

Step 5 - Leave this layer to dry. 

Step 6 - Repeat step 4. Add another layer of paint to your tiles. Making sure to cover the roof as thoroughly as possible. 

Step 7 - The maintenance. Repeat the process every 7-10 years. 

What even are roof shingles? 

Roof shingles, also known as roofing tiles, are a series of interlocking tiles that protect the roofing of your house. 

Roof shingles can be made from many different things: including slate, asphalt, and concrete.  

The roof shingles are woven together in a way that prevents water from leaking into the house below, protecting it from the elements. They are also designed to drive water away from the roof and into the gutters. 

Many housing developers use roof shingles that are bright and sometimes unpleasing colors to save money.

It is not uncommon for people to change the color of their roof shingles after moving into a property. 

Can roof shingles be painted?

Yes, they can, but it's a tricky job. This kind of project requires a lot of equipment, time, and good luck with the weather.

The easiest way to do this is to hire professionals. However, it is more than possible to do this job yourself and save some money.