Granules

Granules are crushed rock treated with colored ceramic coating. The granules are not only there to give the roof its color. They are critical to the life of the shingle as they are the first line of defense against hail and the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays. Loosing these granules add to the shingle’s rate of decay.  One of the key jobs of the asphalt is to bind (hold on to) the granules. 

This decaying process is accelerated in the hot Texas sun.

 

Asphalt

Asphalt is the primary component of composite shingles. It is made from crude oil. The asphalt is continually emitting volatile organic compounds (VOC). This essentially means that various hydrocarbons compounds are being released (vaporizing) making the asphalt porous, brittle and losing its ability to bind the granules. This decaying process is accelerated in the hot Texas sun. Results of asphalt decay: Loose ability to bind the granules (which increases the rate of decay)

• Rigid and less flexible –> less resistant to wind and hail damage
• Loss ability to expand and contract -> micro-cracks, breaks, warping leading to small leaks

 

Fiberglass

There is a thin layer of fiberglass that is embedded in the asphalt. Its primary function is to hold the asphalt together giving it tensile strength. When you see much of the fiberglass, a roof replacement may be necessary.