Our Goal at All About Roof Rejuvenation is simple - educate homeowners on this new technology and give them the resources they need to make informed decisions. We think it's fantastic - its a huge win for the environment, and can save homeowners a lot of money at the same time. But it's not for every home, and it doesn't always make sense. So below we've gathered the most frequent questions we see from consumers and tried our best to answer them all. This is our ultimate roof rejuvenation and shingle preservation faq.
Lets start with the basics and outline the technology first. Roof Rejuvenation, or Shingle Preservation as it's also called, is a new (in Canada) technology designed to increase the lifespan of roof shingles. Shingles have an expiration date! Overtime they dry out, become very brittle and then crack, curl or shatter. This exposes your roof to the elements, and causes big damage over time. And all of those old shingles have to be torn off (expensive) and then thrown in a landfill somewhere (bad for the environment). In fact this produces thousands of tons of waste each year in Canada alone.
Shingle preservation does exactly what it says - it rejuvenates the oils in the shingle which temporarily stops this problem. And thats a pretty key point - the solution is temporary, the shingle will still need to be replaced, but that date is just going to be far in the future. In fact depending on the formula used by your provider, you can add as much as 30 extra years to that roof. Which is often double, or even triple, its regular lifespan.
So a shingle is made of 3 layers - the base of the shingle, a layer of bitumen oil and finally a layer of granules. Overtime the oil evaporates (think 5 - 15 years depending on the weather). This causes the granules to fall out, and exposes the vulnerable base layer. This problem is made worse in places with extreme heat, or a very strong frost/defrost cycle!
Nope! Manufacturers rate them for 15, 20 and 30 years depending on their quality. But there is no real guarantee that they'll last that long. In fact those ratings are applied nationally and across North America - even though the weather changes drastically across this continent. Really the ratings are just guidelines. In Alberta for example the average roof life span is just 13 years - well below the 15 year minimum rating!
That depends on your provider. Go Nano for example uses a nanosilica oil, tiny particles which block and protect the shingles. Bright Green Roof uses an all natural oil blend - 100% plant based and safe for pets/gardens. Other companies all use their own formulas but the base technology is largely the same. Its an oil that has been developed to mimic the bitumen oils in asphalt products (like roads and shingles) and keep them from drying out. Its been used on roadways for more than 50 years now!
A coating or sealant sits on top of the shingle and forms a new layer - this can be good for a variety of reasons (waterproofing for example) but its not the same. A sealant isn't going to extend the life of the shingles themselves - its their to add another layer of protection instead. Roof rejuvenation isn't going to sit on top of the shingles like a coating would, it actually gets absorbed into them and binds with their natural oils instead.
That varies from provider to provider. In general though you can expect to get 5 - 10 years per spray, and most of the formulas can be sprayed 2 or 3 times. That means you can easily add an extra 10 - 20 (sometimes 30) years to your roof.
One of the big reasons homeowners decide to with Shingle Preservation to rejuvenate their roof is because its a sustainable, green technology. In fact, Bright Green Roof is 100% plant based and sustainably produced in Alberta. But almost all of the formulas have the same major impact - they cut down on shingle waste.
Unfortunately when you replace your roof the shingles, which are made of fiberglass, asphalt bitumen and granules, end up in a landfill. This generates a very large amount of waste over time. That's one of the reasons this is so appealing - with roof rejuvenation you are doubling the shingles lifespan, which cuts the waste produced over time in half. Its a big win for the environment.
Over 1.25 million tons per year. And that's in Canada alone. This is a huge amount of waste, and its something we could easily cut in half, if more homeowners adopted shingle preservation. Almost all of that waste comes from roof replacements, and worse, some studies have found that 87% of roof replacements are done early! Which means we are already producing more shingle waste than we need. This makes roof rejuvenation an easy way to generate big wins for the environment.
Yes but the technology is new, and not currently widespread. The largest recycler of shingles in Canada is Northstar Technologies - and they do wonderful work helping cut down and reuse the shingle waste before it hits our landfills. This is important work, and something we think all Canadian homeowners can get behind.
Unfortunately no. The technology as it stands only works with asphalt and cedar shake shingles. But the good news is, these make up over 85% of all roofs in Canada! Widespread adoption of shingle preservation would have massive consequences for the industry, and a huge impact on our landfill waste.
This is going to vary from provider to provider, but in general the closer it is to 100% plant-based, the safer it is. We usually recommend a provider like Bright Green Roof (with their 100% plant-based solution) as the best option for homeowners with large gardens and pets. However it should be noted that the vast majority of the formulas out there can be safely applied to your roof - so its not a deal breaker.
Solar panels are a fantastic green technology that empower homeowners to cut down their electricity bills and generate their own green energy. We love them! But a frequent question is how do they impact roof rejuvenation? Taking the panels off is very expensive - and a lot of homeowners are concerned that it will ruin the cost saving impact of rejuvenation.
But actually the opposite is true! Most providers are happy to work with solar panels - they can be covered and/or cleaned after treatment. And the panels themselves sit ontop of shingles - which protects them from the regular wear and tear that the rest of the roof goes through.
This means shingle rejuvenation is a fantastic option - especially once you factor in the additional costs of a roof replacement that solar owners have to pay. Roof rejuvenation will offset that by another 15/30 years - which increases the ROI of your panels.
Of course you will have to check with your provider, but in general no! Most service providers simply cover up or clean the panels after your roof is treated. Solar panels are designed to be very durable - needing to stand up to all of the weather elements and hale. The shingle preservation sprays can usually be cleaned off easily - but it is something you should ask about.
One of the benefits of your solar panels is that they help protect your roof - the shingles covered by your panels do not get weathered like the uncovered panels. This means service providers can simply spray around the panels, instead of having to take them off and spray underneath.
Unfortunately no. The technology as it stands only works with asphalt and cedar shake shingles. But the good news is, these make up over 85% of all roofs in Canada! Widespread adoption of shingle preservation would have massive consequences for the industry, and a huge impact on our landfill waste.
Unfortunately the largest downside of solar panels for the homeowner is the increased roofing costs. During a replacement the panels have to be uninstalled and then reinstalled post construction. This work requires an electrician and often a solar installer. It can add as much as an additional $5,000 to your roof replacement bill! Not a small amount of money. Some homeowners even report that this additional cost completely negates the savings they were making from switching to solar in the first place.
That depends on how old your roof is, and how worried you are about a replacement. Lots of homeowners off put installing the panels for a few years before they do the replacement (because of the extra costs). But with roof rejuvenation you can treat your roof, and install the panels, knowing that another replacement is delayed for an extra 10 - 15 years. Definitely a smart move, and it really helps increase the ROI of your solar panels.
That depends on a variety of factors - in general a homeowner will save around $12,000. But to calculate your exact savings you need to know a few things. First how large is your roof? A larger, more complicated roof, will cost more to replace than a simple smaller roof. Secondly how much is your provider charging? Roof Rejuvenation companies are independent and have different pricing packages - we've been quoted anywhere from $3 a square foot, and as low as $1 a square foot. It really depends on the provider, their level of service and what formula they are using.
Because this is a new industry prices are still fluctuating which is why we generally recommend going with a proven company that has operated for at least a few years. RoofMaxx, Bright Green Roof, and Go Nano for example are all established companies with real pricing models.
The independent contractors charge whatever they think you will pay, and are generally less trustworthy. As a consumer we recommend picking an established company, but also getting quotes from multiple providers.
Yes! In general it should cost about 80% less. Most replacements will quote you from $5 to $7 a square foot for your new roof - and most roof rejuvenation companies are charging much less than that. Its important to do the math and work out how much this is going to save you over a 10 year period but for an average house with an average roof, it will save you around $12,000.
Yes! Most insurance providers will recognize roof rejuvenation and shingle preservation treatments. But this does vary and you should ask. In general though the larger brand companies have more recognition - so GoNano, Bright Green Roof and RoofMaxx are much more likely to have direct partnerships with your insurance providers.
Not at all! While the baseline technology is the same, much like any home service product, the quality of the treatment and formula does vary. They all have pros and cons! It's important to read each companies website and gather what information you can - make sure they provide the benefits you are looking for, and have the test results to back up their claims. Again this isn't an issue with the established companies, but definitely a problem with the small independent providers.
Like any new technology, there are a lot of misplaced beliefs surrounding roof rejuvenation. In fact we would argue more so because of how much of a disruptor it is for the roofing industry. Especially when it first launched roofers were up in arms! Roof replacements make up the bulk of their revenue, so any technology which can cut down homeowner demand is met with skepticism.
However the test results are in, and the product is undeniable at this point. It is a proven and smart way to extend shingle life and many roofing companies now have either created partnerships with Shingle Rejuvenators, or are offering the product themselves.
This is a pretty common myth spread by roofers - and it has a little truth to it. Many of the formulas include soybean oil as a carrier oil or a part of the formula, after all its a safe oil that can be easily sprayed. But the truth is that the formuals in general contain a bunch of patented technologies and other products. This technology was originally developed by the US government for Asphalt roads - they needed a solution which could be sprayed on roads to increase their lifespan by stopping the natural evaporation of the ashphalt bitumen. And soybean oil wouldn't cut it!
Ask your service provider about their product and they can share more details - from GoNanos silica technology, to patented oil blends, it all depends on what they offer.
No. No matter the provider the formulas are designed to penetrate the shingle and bond with their bitumen layer. The treatment is sprayed on top of the roof but should be absorbed into the shingles, it isnt a coating which sits on top.
While only one company can boast about a 100% organic and safe to eat product (Bright Green Roof), all of these products have been cleared by the government for home use. They are completely safe as long as they are applied properly.
If you're looking for a shingle prservation or a roof rejuvenation company, we have an entire page dedicated to the top providers across provinces in Canada. However there are some important things to think about that will be consistent across Canada when you are choosing a treatment provider.
There are actually a lot of options out there! The underlying technology is the same but each of the different products is designed with patented technologies unique to that service offering. One of the first questions you should ask yourself is, what product are they offering for roof rejuvenation, and is it a right fit for my home?
In general there are a few big players in this industry, and then a lot of small independent contractors who use a generic version of the product. We recommend picking a larger established company. They have better pricing models, and more advanced products which offer better treatment.
This matters because you want to work with an established operator but also because most companies offer a 5 year warranty. Some companies even stretch this to 10 years! You want to pick a company you are confident will still exist before your warranty expires!
You want a team thats knowledeable, follows the safety laws in your province and will look after your home. In general look for a company that has things like a branded truck, employee uniforms and standards of conduct. You'll just have a much better experience that way.