Summary:
- Treating your roof can extend the lifespan of asphalt shingles, but professional and DIY options differ significantly in effectiveness.
- Having professionals treat your roof with a penetrant like Roof Maxx involves the use of eco-friendly oils, which can extend shingle life by up to 15 years. These treatments also come with warranties.
- DIY spray-on products are cheaper but typically only provide temporary waterproofing and do not restore shingles’ condition.
- Professional installation reduces errors, while DIY applications require more skill and can alter the roof’s appearance if done incorrectly.
- For long-term protection and cost-effectiveness, professional roof treatments are the better choice over DIY coating products.
Spraying certain treatments on your rooftop can be a great way to help the asphalt shingles last longer, but having a professional apply a penetrant like Roof Maxx is very different from using a DIY spray-on coating.
Making an informed decision about the roof treatments you use means carefully evaluating these different options—including their ingredients, application methods, and likely results. We’ve created this guide to help you get started so that you can take the right steps to protect the roof over your head.
Different Roofing Treatments: Professional Penetrants vs. DIY Coatings
Most approaches to treating a roof made of asphalt shingles fall into one of two categories:
- Professional penetrants where you pay a company to spray a proprietary solution onto your roof. This solution then seeps into the shingles to revitalize them.
- DIY roofing sprays that you can buy online or from a home improvement store and apply yourself. These are typically coatings that sit on top of the shingles after they’ve been applied.
Although both of these approaches involve spraying a solution onto the shingles, the results can be very different. Let’s explore both options in detail to give you a clearer idea of their pros and cons.
Professional Roofing Treatment for Asphalt Shingles
Roof Maxx is an example of a professional spray-on penetrant for asphalt shingle roofs. We apply an eco-friendly plant-based oil to your rooftop, which seeps in and replaces the oils that your shingles have naturally lost over time as they’ve been exposed to the elements.
Learn More: What Is Roof Rejuvenation (& Does It Really Work?)
Spraying a roof with Roof Maxx usually costs about 15-30% as much as the price of replacing the roof—but it can extend the lifespan of the shingles you already have by up to 15 years in some cases. This makes it a relatively cost-effective way to preserve the condition of your roof while improving its appearance.
Professionally applied roofing sprays also tend to come with warranties that can guarantee the quality of the treatment. For example, Roof Maxx comes with a 5-year warranty that begins on the date of your treatment.
Pros
- Can extend the lifespan of asphalt shingles by up to 15 years
- Professional installation reduces the likelihood of errors
- Options like Roof Maxx come with warranties guaranteeing results for years
- Considerably more affordable than full roof replacement
Cons
- Typically more expensive than DIY spray-on products for asphalt shingles
DIY Spray-On Coatings
Search online and you’ll quickly find that there’s a wide variety of shingle coatings available. You’ll also notice that there’s a huge range in terms of what they cost, how much you get, and how they’re actually meant to be used.
The rule of thumb with roofing products is that you get what you pay for—yes, you can buy a spray for your rooftop that costs less than $20 on Amazon, but look carefully at what it actually does and you may find that it’s not quite the bargain you wanted.
Most spray-on options that you can apply yourself won’t actually restore the condition of asphalt shingles—they simply add a layer of silicone on top that can help make them more waterproof. But these can also alter the appearance of your shingles if you aren’t careful with how much you apply, and knowing exactly how much to apply can be difficult.
Pros
- Some DIY spray-on products for asphalt shingles are extremely inexpensive
- Can offer limited sealing or waterproofing
Cons
- These products typically do not restore the actual condition of your asphalt shingles
- You will still have to replace your roof after the standard length of time, which costs thousands
Comparison Chart: Roof Maxx vs. DIY Spray-On Coatings
Here’s a comparison chart to help you see the differences between professional coatings and DIY spray-on products at a glance:
| Professional Roof Revitalization (e.g., Roof Maxx) | DIY Spray-On Coatings | |
| Typical Cost | ~15-30% of the cost of roof replacement | Typically inexpensive, starting as low as $20 |
| Lifespan Extension | Up to 15 years | Does not significantly extend lifespan |
| Ingredients | Eco-friendly, plant-based oils | Often silicone-based, primarily for waterproofing |
| Application Method | Professionally applied by trained technicians | Applied by homeowner |
| Warranties | Often includes a warranty (e.g., 5-year warranty) | Rarely includes a warranty |
| Skill Required | Professional installation ensures correct application | Requires DIY knowledge; prone to errors |
| Impact on Appearance | Restores shingles’ flexibility and appearance | Can alter appearance if not applied correctly |
| Environmental Impact | Low, uses eco-friendly materials | Varies depending on the product |
| Overall Cost-Effectiveness | Cost-effective long-term solution | Short-term fix, may not provide significant savings overall |
Choosing the Best Option for Your Roof
Ultimately, the best kind of spray you purchase for your roof will depend on your needs as a homeowner. If you’re simply looking for a temporary sealant or minor weatherproofing, it might be okay to purchase an inexpensive DIY product online or from a store in your area.
But if you want to protect the asphalt shingles on your roof and help them last for years to come, professional solutions like Roof Maxx are the only real choice. Learn more about how much you could save and get a free estimate here.
