A great-looking roof adds curb appeal, but is it safe and practical to paint your roofing system? If you follow proper painting instructions or hire a professional, painting your roof can give your home a new look and feel while improving energy efficiency and reducing wear and tear.
Roof Painting Depends on Your Roof’s Material
You can paint over most roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and clay roofs. However, you can't paint every type of roof! Experts won’t recommend painting certain types of roofing materials, so be sure to consult with a professional before you begin this project.
A reputable roofing company, like PRQ, can provide you with an honest inspection and solid advice on the possibility of painting your roof and tips to proceed with the project. Contact us today for a free, specialized roofing estimate!
Benefits of Painting Your Roof
Painting your roof comes with several value-enhancing benefits. If you are planning on changing the rest of the color of your home's exterior, painting your roof may be needed to keep a consistent look and feel. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your roof also has several practical benefits, which we describe below.
New Look and Feel For Your Home
A freshly painted roof can completely change the aesthetics of your home. Maybe you've recently transformed your home into a more modern style. Painting your roof may be the final touch to really make it shine!
Or, perhaps it's not in your budget to change the entire outside color of your home, but you can change the roof's color and make it look like a new home! Depending on the type of roof you have, adding a new color to your home’s top may give it the curb appeal you've been looking for.
Improved Insulation and Energy-Efficiency
A painted roof helps keep your home insulated from hot and cold weather. Not only does this enhance the overall comfort of living in your home, but it also can help reduce your energy bills and save you money year after year.
White roof paint, in particular, is made of acrylic latex paint that seals completely and reflects the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays away from the house, keeping it cool in the warmer summer months and reducing the need to run costly air conditioning!
Help Prevent Leaks
Because roof paint acts as a sealant, it helps prevent water from entering, thus lessening the chance of roof leaks or water damage. However, it is essential to remember that paint alone will not fix a damaged or old roof. It's always best to have a thorough roof inspection before any roof painting job.
Boost Your Roof’s Lifespan
The last thing you want to do is replace your roof altogether, as it's quite costly and inconvenient. Because a painted roof will reduce overall wear and tear, painting your roof is one of the ways you can lengthen your existing roof's lifespan!
Considerations Before Painting Your Roof
Not everyone should paint their roof. If you've never performed exterior painting or don't have the proper tools and equipment to perform work on top of your house, you should probably leave it to a professional.
If you decide that painting your roof is right for you, there are a few planning tips to keep in mind!
Know Your Roofing Material
The first thing you'll want to consider is your roofing material. Most people don't know what materials are on their roof. The roofer will tell you what materials your roof is made of during your roof inspection. Understanding your roofing material is key to choosing the right roof paint!
Painting Asphalt Shingles
Painting asphalt roof shingles is usually not recommended, but some roofers can do it. You'll need to make sure you have a good paint sprayer and paint roller, and will need to prime the shingles with a water-based primer and sealer. You will need several coats of the right paint to ensure even coverage, so plan for that when you are budgeting for your materials.
Painting Tile & Metal Roofing
You can absolutely paint tile and metal roofing. Metal and tile roofs have a long lifespan, and painting them can extend it even further.
To paint tile or metal roofing, you'll want to choose an oil-based or acrylic paint. You'll still need to choose a primer to apply before painting, and we'll walk you through how and why to clean your roof before any paint job.
Want To See How Much It Would Cost To Replace Your Roof?
Tips to Remember When Painting Your Roof
If you're considering painting your roof on your own, there are a few tips to keep in mind. For starters, you'll need help – both for efficiency and safety. Make sure anyone you ask to help you has experience being up on a roof and experience painting.
Do you have the proper safety equipment? Make sure you have a good work boot with grips and that you're not planning to paint your roof during wet, rainy, or icy conditions. If you plan to paint it in the summer, ensure you and your workers wear appropriate breathable clothing and have sun protection, plus plenty of water breaks.
Clean Your Roof’s Surface Before Painting
Before you paint your roof, you'll want to clean it with a pressure washer and remove any debris. Pick a few days where the weather report isn't predicting any rain or snow, so that it has plenty of time to try. You'll need a clean, dry surface before applying any paint to prevent chipping or trapped water.
Painting is NOT a Substitute for Repair
It's important to note that painting a roof is not a substitute for repair. A licensed roofer can inspect your roof before a paint job to see if there are any missing shingles, cracked roofing materials, sun or water damage, or leaks.
If you paint over a leak or crack, you're not solving the problem and are likely wasting money and time. A leaky roof that is left untreated can result in costly damage and require you to replace the entire roof. Before you start your paint job, make repairs to any areas of the roof that have damage and ensure your roof is in good condition. Check your attics and ceilings for any water spots, and patch up any areas of the roof that you need to fix before painting.
Hire a Professional for the Job if Needed
If you aren't 100% confident that you can safely and effectively paint your roof surface, hiring a professional is a good idea. Licensed roofing contractors know how to inspect properly, repair and paint roofs of all kinds, and have experience that will allow them to get the job done correctly and quickly.
Unless you have experience in roofing, it's always best to leave any roofing projects to the pros. They will be able to pick the best paint for your roofing materials and already have the tools needed to complete the job.
While taking on the job yourself may be appealing, mounting your house comes with risks, and it's best left to those who do it daily to avoid accidents!
PRQ Exteriors is a Leading Roofer in Colorado
PRQ Exteriors is a leading roofer in Colorado because our customers trust our work and love their finished product. Through our various roofing services, we transform homes to look amazing while ensuring the safety of everyone inside with a sturdy, leak-free new roof. We have experience painting shingle, metal, and tile roofs and can guide you through the process to decide if that is the right choice for you and your home.
Our goal is to give you a quick estimate and fast project turnaround and leave you with a roof that lasts for decades and adds curb appeal and value to your home.
Excellent Ratings & Testimonials Across All Major Review Websites (250+ Reviews)
Contact our team today for a free estimate. One of our experienced roofing experts will come out and inspect your roof, provide you with options and let you choose the option that best fits your budget, style, and comfort level. We strive to provide excellent customer service, a great value, and a roofing experience that removes the stress of painting or repairing your roof! Contact us today!
Denver, CO
Call or Text: (303) 214-0703
13301 W. 43rd Drive Unit 4, Golden, CO 80403
Kansas City
Call or Text: (816) 375-6014
© Copyright 2023 PRQ Exteriors. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service