Newer asphalt shingles often wear out faster due to reduced liquid asphalt content, decreased roof ventilation in modern designs, hotter climates, and fewer routine inspections. These factors reduce flexibility, increase heat stress, and accelerate weathering, leading to shorter lifespans compared to older shingles. Regular inspections, prompt repairs, and restoration treatments like Roof Maxx can help extend their useful life.
Roofs are among the most important and most expensive components of any condominium community. But newer asphalt shingle rooftops on these types of buildings often face longevity challenges when compared to older ones.
Learn why asphalt shingles are not lasting as long in this article by the specialists at Roof Maxx. We also explain the best practices board members and community managers can use to help their communities maximize the useful life of asphalt shingle roofs.
Asphalt shingles aren’t just getting more expensive; they’re also wearing out faster than in previous years. To understand this, it’s important to consider several different trends—not just in the way new shingles are produced, but in the environment where they’re expected to perform.
Learn More: Why Are Shingle Prices Going Up?
Asphalt shingles today have 25-33% less liquid asphalt than in the 1990s due to a global shortage of liquid asphalt, created by global changes in how crude oil is refined. Data from Iowa State University confirms that newer shingles have lower asphalt contents and binder viscosities. Less liquid asphalt means higher prices, as well as less flexibility of the shingles.
New construction designs often have reduced roof ventilation versus homes built before the 1980s. Older homes have large, open attics. Today, attics are much smaller as developers have added aesthetic features such as cathedral ceilings, skylights, dormers, and valleys. These dramatically reduce the airflow from your soffit vents (intake air) to your roof’s ridge vents (exhausted air).
Hotter interior air just under the roof sheathing reduces the expected life of your roofs, of all types, but especially those covered with traditional asphalt shingles.
Hotter weather, in temperature and in frequency, has trended upward in the past 30 years. Summertime roof surface temperatures can be 40-80+ degrees higher than the air temperature, based on the sun’s orientation and the color of the roof.
Florida’s harsh UV exposure leads to further reductions in roof life as compared to other parts of the country. That means asphalt shingle rooftops in this area may be particularly susceptible to deterioration, although it remains a national concern.
Due to labor shortages, both at management offices and among contractors, there are very few proactive roof inspections at most condo communities. This means minor roofing problems are more likely to evolve into full-blown emergencies because they do not get noticed and addressed in a timely way.
Full roof replacement is expensive, so it’s a much better idea to extend the usable lifespan of the asphalt shingles your building already has. Here are some suggestions that can help keep them from wearing out early and save you money:
See Also: Free Roof Replacement Cost Calculator
Ask your reserve study specialist about trends and best practices. They inspect dozens of HOA communities per year, per employee, so they’ll have advice you can trust.
Inspect roofs at least every two years and immediately after big storms. In Florida, the first inspection should be around the 5th or 6th year. Request a summary inspection report with a link to all of the pictures taken. Some roofing firms provide this service at no additional cost.
Not sure what a roofing inspection should cover? Check out our Roof Inspection Guide & Checklist.
Handle small repairs, reactively and proactively, to extend the useful life of your roof, at a very small investment. Doing your “punch-list” complex-wide, dramatically lowers the per-building cost.
Obtain an electronic measurement from a satellite-based firm specializing in roof imaging and measurements. Knowing the exact roof surface area for each building is helpful in ensuring accurate repair (or replacement) quotes. Some roofing firms provide this service at no additional cost.
Request training on roof maintenance and inspection from a reputable company that offers “lunch and learn” Zoom-based seminars. Some roofing firms, including Roof Maxx, provide this service at no additional cost.
Learn More: The Ultimate Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan for Your Business
Work with roofers who have experience with HOAs/Condos, nationally and locally.
Work with roofers who offer roof restoration (also called roof rejuvenation in some areas). This is a proven solution that can add years of usable life to your asphalt shingle roof.
Advances in bio-science since 2010 have allowed roof restoration solutions like Roof Maxx to extend the lifespan of asphalt shingle roofs by up to 15 years with repeat applications once every 5 years. Roof Maxx procedures use an eco-friendly plant-based solution to replenish the petrochemical oils shingles naturally lose over time, and cost up to 80% less than a full roof replacement.
The use of less liquid asphalt in manufacturing, along with other contributing factors, has shortened the lifespan of asphalt shingle roofs. But implementing the best practices listed here will ensure your community maximizes the useful life of your current shingles, and save you from the cost of prematurely replacing them with new ones.
Roof Maxx can help by restoring the flexibility and durability of the asphalt shingles you already have. Find a dealer near you now to get a free estimate.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
