It’s a common occurrence for homeowners. You’re driving home from work and when you come in sight of your home, you notice dark streaks running down your shingle roofing. What is it? It certainly doesn’t look good.
It’s not mold. It’s algae growth. Actually, by the time you see the dark streaks on your roof, the algae is already dead or dying. It is a blue-green type of algae that leaves the dark streaks behind after it dies. Some other possible signs of algae growth include green or white spots or moss growth. This algae growth can weaken your shingles and even lead to higher energy bills for your home.
Luckily, the roofing industry has developed an answer to this common problem. Homeowners can now opt to use algae-resistant shingles for their new roof replacements.
What Are Algae Resistant Shingles?
Simply put, algae-resistant shingles are made to impede the growth of algae, thus eliminating those unsightly black streaks on your roof. Professional roofers noticed that areas around metal flashing, especially copper, did not turn black. Even the roof sloping down from the flashing would be clear. Somehow the metal was working to stop the algae growth.
Scientists studied the phenomena and figured out how to use what they learned to formulate algae-resistant shingles. These shingles mix copper-coated granules in with the other granules on the shingles. This copper actually spreads across the roof in microscopic amounts through rain and dew, binding itself to the algae cells, which causes them to leak and die before they can fully develop and spread.
Do Algae Resistant Shingles Really Work?
The science behind these new shingles is legit. In most parts of the United States, algae-resistant shingles can practically eliminate the growth of mold and all issues with black streaking on your roof. In some areas where the climate is particularly hot and humid, they may not completely stop algae growth. They will still work to slow the growth of algae significantly, minimizing your need to clean your roofing.
If you have questions about algae-resistant shingles, feel free to contact Home Pro America. We proudly offer Atlas® brand algae-resistant shingles with ScotchGaard protection. These high-quality shingles feature granules containing at least a 10% blend of 3M™ copper granules mixed in with the other granules. They are third-party tested for quality assurance and guaranteed to provide uniform copper distribution across your roof. The result is a roof that will look remain free of algae and look newer longer.
If you live in an area with significant heat and moisture, adding algae-resistant shingle roofing for your next roof replacement could save you money down the line and help keep your home looking great for years to come.
