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You cannot replace granules that have been lost off shingles. The granule embedding process is part of shingle manufacturing, and once the bond holding the granules to the shingles has been lost, the granules are gone for good. Shingles with granule loss must be fully replaced to continue offering adequate protection.

A roof replacement can take anywhere from one to 14 days. For most homes, a full replacement that includes tearing off old materials takes about one to two days, though the average project can last up to 12 days. The exact timeline depends on several factors, including the roof's size and complexity, the type of roofing material, the crew size, and weather conditions. Certain materials take longer to install; for example, metal roofs can take seven to 14 days because the material is more difficult to work with than asphalt shingles, wood, or tile. A re-roofing project, where new shingles are installed over old ones, can take half the time or less. It's also important to factor in the time needed to obtain necessary permits. A professional roofing contractor will typically complete the job faster than a DIY approach.

There are several pros and cons of flat roofs. One disadvantage of flat roofs is that you lose potential attic space because it's flat. Flat roofs tend to pool water and because they lack an angle, any leak in the roof—usually due to a bad seal—has the potential to let in a lot of water. They don’t work well in climates with snow. Flat roofs are also structurally weaker than sloped roofs.

Spray foam roofs don’t stand up well to impact, so they won’t last as long as something like a tar and gravel roof and other flat roof materials in areas where extreme weather is common. Due to the reduced durability, you’ll also need more frequent maintenance and repairs for a spray foam roof, and those costs will add up over time. Spray foam roofs are relatively uncommon, so you may also struggle to hire a roofing contractor who can install one.