Give your roof a whole new look
You can paint asphalt shingles.
You must use 100% acrylic latex paint designed for shingles.
Painting can touch up faded shingles, change their style, and make your home more energy-efficient.
Painted asphalt shingles require a lot of maintenance.
If you’re ready to freshen up your home’s exterior, painting your asphalt shingles can be a good first step. It’s also a medium-term solution to touch up faded shingles or match a new addition’s roof with your larger home. But while you can paint roof shingles, most pros don’t recommend it. Once painted, your shingles require a lot of maintenance, and paint can mask important roof issues that lead to big damage. Before you paint, talk to a pro about your roof to see if painting it is the best idea.
There are plenty of potential advantages to painting your asphalt roof.
If your shingles are showing some wear and tear but remain structurally sound, painting them can improve the appearance of your house and extend the life of your roof for less money than the cost of a roof replacement. Expect to pay around $1,000 for all the paint you’d need to cover 20 squares of asphalt shingles, while you’d pay between $150 and $1,500 per square for new shingles—and a full roof replacement is a professional job that typically costs between $8,700 and $22,000.
Paint will not only make your roof more attractive, but the additional layer of material will reduce wear on the underlying shingles. Using high-quality acrylic latex exterior paint that’s designed for asphalt shingles will also extend the life of your roof by offering additional UV protection, slowing the damage wrought by the sun.
Asphalt shingles are frequently black, a color that absorbs sunlight resting on the part of your home that is completely exposed to the sun’s rays. On hot, sunny days, all the sunlight absorbed by those black shingles drives up the temperature of your home—and the price you pay to cool it. With enough paint, you can turn those black shingles white, reflecting sunlight and keeping it away from your home, so you’ll require less energy to keep cool.
Asphalt shingles are only available in a wide variety of colors, but gray, black, and tan are the standard shades. Painting them gives you easier access to the whole color spectrum, allowing you to establish a dazzling, unique look for your home with a roof that stands out from any vantage point.
Paint is also a good option when you want to strike a better balance between asphalt shingles of differing shades; if, for example, you’ve built a new addition to your home and the new shingles don’t quite match the old ones. Just touch up the lighter area with the appropriate shade of dark paint.
If paint were a panacea for asphalt roof woes, the practice would be far more common—but there are some downsides.
A coat of paint on asphalt shingles will not remain attractive and durable for very long without extensive upkeep, since the granules that make up the surface of the shingles crumble and detach over time. You should plan to inspect your painted asphalt roof at least once a year, looking for peeling, bubbling, and chipping. Depending on the climate and how much sunlight and precipitation your roof endures, you may need to perform some touch-ups with each annual inspection.
Even in weather conditions that are friendlier to paint, you will likely need to repaint every four to seven years. That doesn’t just mean adding a new coat but fully stripping the old paint and repairing damaged shingles before fully priming and painting the roof again.
It is safe to paint an asphalt roof, but you must perform every step of the job correctly to avoid damaging it. First, you must use the right paint: 100% latex acrylic paint designed for asphalt shingles. You must also ensure that all the shingles, the full layer of flashing, and the wooden deck beneath are completely dry. Otherwise, the paint will trap moisture, quickly leading to wood rot, mildew, and mold.
A coat of paint is a great solution if you want to change the color of your roof, make it more energy-efficient, or touch up minor cosmetic damage. However, It is not a substitute for roof repair or replacement if your asphalt shingles or your roof deck is more seriously damaged. If the roof is leaking or you’ve got patches in the shingles, you’ll need to call a local roof company to get a repair or replacement.
One of the main advantages of painting asphalt shingles is saving money, but it’s not a simple DIY. The surface of asphalt shingles is composed of rough granules that make it difficult for paint to stick. Doing the job requires applying multiple coats of paint in risky conditions.
Painting your home often requires getting on a ladder, which can be dangerous. Have a friend hold you steady or entrust the job to a painting professional to ensure your safety.
Before painting roof shingles, consider the type and condition of your shingles. Asphalt shingles, the most common type, can be painted, but they need to be in good shape. Painting won’t fix issues like curling, cracking, or significant wear. Also, keep in mind that painting shingles can void your roof’s warranty, so check with the manufacturer first. Painted shingles also require ongoing maintenance, because the paint can peel or fade over time due to constant exposure to the elements.
Choosing the right type of paint makes a difference. Acrylic latex paint is recommended because it’s flexible, breathable, and weather-resistant. Using reflective, light-colored paint can also help improve energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption. Proper surface preparation is crucial. Clean the shingles thoroughly to remove dirt, algae, and debris, and make sure they’re completely dry before painting to ensure the best adhesion and longevity.
Walk into this big task prepared—here are some tips to ensure your painted shingles are perfect and you don’t hurt yourself while freshening them up.
A roof inspection is a necessary first step so you can address any issues with your roof before painting it.
After your roof inspection, you may learn you have a damaged shingle or two. You should repair (or replace) these as needed so your roof is in excellent shape before its makeover.
It’s crucial to clean the area you’re about to paint to prevent mixing your fresh coat with dirt and debris. When it comes to roofs, a thorough cleaning is necessary to eliminate moss or algae growth.
Utilizing a power washer can be an effective tool for roof washing; however, using a lower setting (between 500 and 1,200 PSI) is important to avoid damaging the shingles. If you need to remove algae or moss, apply a mixture of bleach and water in a 1-1 ratio and allow it to sit on the roof for approximately 15 minutes before rinsing it off with fresh water. Ensure that your roof is completely dry before the painting process.
By painting your roof white or another light color, you’ll save on your energy bills. Here’s how: White and other bright, light colors reflect heat, which means your home absorbs less of it, keeping it cooler during those warm summer months.
You’ll need a few pieces of specialty equipment for this project: an extension ladder, a power washer, and a paint spray gun (and pump). You’ll also need safety and protective gear for yourself, like a mask so you don’t inhale fumes, a work jumpsuit to protect your clothing (unless you think the look of paint splatters is très chic), and tarps to cover any ground area you don’t want the paint to get on. You can also use plastic covers to protect plants that might live close to your home.
Securing safety equipment and installing it before painting will help to prevent injuries; a roof is typically 8 feet or higher, and any tumbles can lead to broken bones or much worse. We recommend buying a safety harness, edge protection, and temporary anchor points. It’s also wise to work with a friend who can hold a ladder in place.
Priming the shingles protects the roof from moisture, and the sealant protects against other harmful elements such as UV light. In addition, these layers will help the topcoat adhere well. Make sure to buy exterior primer and sealant specifically made for asphalt shingles.
If you’re looking to refresh your roof's appearance without painting the shingles, consider applying a roof coating. This project enhances the look and adds a protective layer that can improve energy efficiency, extending the life of the shingles. Reflective or elastomeric coatings are popular because they help reduce heat absorption and offer waterproofing benefits. Unlike paint, these coatings are designed to flex with the shingles and withstand harsh weather conditions.
Another alternative is roof replacement or re-shingling, especially if the existing shingles are old or damaged. You can choose new materials and colors that better suit your style and improve your home’s curb appeal. For a less invasive option, consider thorough roof cleaning, such as soft washing, to remove moss, algae, and stains. This can significantly brighten your roof’s appearance without altering the material’s integrity or requiring the upkeep that painted shingles demand.
A confident and experienced DIYer can do a good job touching up the appearance of the shingles if they’re willing to do a lot of preparation and apply multiple coats of spray paint. The job requires a lot of equipment: a large extension ladder to get on the roof, a pressure washer to clean it, a spray paint gun and pump, as well as safety equipment like a harness and anchor points. You’ll also need to buy primer, paint, and sealant.
Even if you can do all that, painting your own asphalt shingles involves a lot of risk: painting on a sloped incline high off the ground is a serious challenge for all but the most experienced craftspeople, with serious consequences entailed by any wrong move. Instead of risking life and limb, hire exterior painters in your area to paint your asphalt roof. Expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,500 for a professional roof painting.
Changing the color of your roof shingles can do great things for the appearance of your home, but paint won’t seal cracks or patches in your roof or protect it from damage in the long run. For issues like that, the only solution is to have the roof repaired by a professional. Give your roof an annual checkup to see if any damage needs addressing. If so, call your local roof pros to get their advice. Once your roof is in top shape, it’s time to paint.
I recently hired MTT & LLc for a roofing project, and I couldn't be happier with the results! The team was professional, punctual, and highly skilled. They explained the process clearly and addressed all my questions. The quality of their work was outstanding, and they completed the job on...
MTT & LLCMike came in for my washing machine and he determined that it was a bad drain pump and he returned and quickly fixed my washer. Very excited to have laundry again. Would highly recommend thanks so much!
Michel B Handyman ServicesThis contractor has gone above and beyond his job to satsify the customer. It demonstrates how excellent customer service can have a lasting effect on customer relationships. I will definitely call this contractor on future projects. The contractor is an empathetic listener and makes the...
Efficient Masonry Construction, Corp.It was a great experience. ERS Construction is a very responsive ERS Construction, pays great attention to detail, is very honest and an all-around nice guy. His subcontractors are terrific. The person who does his tiles is a consummate professional. And his plumber and electrician and his...
ERS ConstructionShay and his team did an amazing job painting the interior of my new townhome. He was very helpful from the initial quote to the finished product, and he maintained clear communication throughout the entire process. The interior of my home is very tricky with 30ft ceilings in some sections,...
We found this company on Angie's List a few years ago and can't say enough good things about them. Excellent prices, prompt and courteous service and they stand by their work. They've also replaced our gutters and did a wonderful job. I wish we knew about them when we had our roof replaced....
Hennelly & Son Roofing & GuttersThe project was completed with my total satisfaction and would recommend Paul to my family, friends and neighbors .
McEvoy Carpentry and ContractingI sent Tom Cromer photos of my bathroom tile with a focus on areas where grout had failed. I wanted the grout replaced and the seams sealed but had a short window of availability. Tom fit the job in two days later. His tile installer, Gary, arrived on-time, got to work immediately and...
the weather prevented him from getting on the roof. btw: how many times do I have to enter a dumb answer to get the system to understand that the vendor did NOT do the service b ecause the weather interfered!!!
FRS Roofing And Gutter ServicesKerry and Tim are just the best. They are very professional, punctual and nice. They got all necessary Beacon Hill permits, hired a crane (2x) to lift up the furniture, pergola, plants and trees, contacted the fire department, got the city paperwork etc... A lot of work. And the best of all -...
Wisteria & RoseFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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