Why Does My Asphalt Shingle Roof Look Shiny?

If you have an asphalt shingle roof, otherwise known as composition shingle roof, the shiny appearance you may see is fiberglass. CertainTeed explains how an Asphalt Shingle is made here: https://www.certainteed.com/how-roofing-shingles-are-made/.

When the roof granules begin to fall off of the fiberglass backing, the edges of the shingles may shine or look silver when the sun hits them. In more severe cases whole patches of shingles, or even the entire roof, may take on that shiny appearance. You may see the roof granules in or around your gutters or dispelled into your yard on heavy rain days. Granule loss on an asphalt shingle roof can be caused by many factors including weathering, walking/use, hail damage, and age. Granule loss is very common towards the end of an asphalt shingles life cycle, so if you are seeing the fiberglass backing it is a sign that your roof is at the end of its life.

Other signs your composition shingle roof is near the end of its life are curling and/or lifting shingles, cracked shingles, and heavy moss growth. Of course, if you’ve noticed a leak or multiple roof leaks, this is also a sign you’re in need of a roof replacement.

While many roof issues can be fixed with a minor repair, unfortunately when a composition shingle roof is down to the fiberglass in many areas, it is often times past the point of repair. You should always get advice from a trusted roofing contractor to determine if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. ‍As a side note, don’t be fooled by roofing contractors promising to add years to your roof life with spray coatings, as these are expensive temporary fixes that will end up costing you much more in the long run.

Reference Article: https://www.professionalroofing.net/Articles/Myth-busting--04-01-2010/1673

If you notice your asphalt shingle roof is shiny, it may be a good idea to give American Eagle Roofing a call to provide you with a free roof estimate. Contact us here.