Learn · 4 min read

Does roof rejuvenation work?

Yes, on the right roof and within honest limits. We'll show you what the lab tests found and where rejuvenation falls short.

What roof rejuvenation is

Asphalt shingles age because they lose the oils that keep them flexible and water-resistant. As those oils dry out, shingles grow brittle, shed granules, and crack. Rejuvenation replaces those oils with a soy-based treatment that soaks into the shingle. It isn't a paint or a coating.

At Laminar we go a step further. After the soy rejuvenator, we seal the roof with a SiO₂ ceramic top-coat that makes water bead off and slows algae from coming back. We rejuvenate, then seal.

What independent testing found

An Ohio State University study tested a commercial soy methyl ester emulsion, the same soy-rejuvenation chemistry we use, on 17-year-old shingles. An independent materials lab ran the tests. Treated shingles passed a pliability test that untreated ones failed. They lost 46% fewer granules, were 60% less permeable to water, and showed 24% less damage in a hail-impact test, with no increase in fire spread.

One honest caveat: the formulation tested was a commercial product, not the specific one we use, and the authors note the results should be confirmed with long-term accelerated-aging tests. We cite it as evidence for the soy-rejuvenation approach, not a guarantee for any one roof.

Where it works, and where it doesn't

Rejuvenation is for asphalt roofs that are aging but still structurally sound: shingles that are dry, faded, or losing granules, but not failing. It can't fix active leaks, rot, a damaged roof deck, missing or cracked-through shingles, or a roof at the genuine end of its life. No treatment can revive those, and anyone who tells you otherwise is overselling.

How long it lasts

The soy treatment is rated at about 5 years of added life per application. On a sound roof, a two-step renewal can add roughly 6–10 years and delay a full replacement. The treatment wears over time, so we re-apply it on about a five-year cadence. For Laminar's founding customers, that re-treatment is free for the life of the roof.

How to tell if it's right for your roof

The way to know is to look. We fly your roof with a drone, show you the before photos, and tell you whether renewal is a good fit. If you'd be better off saving your money for a replacement, we'll say so.

Keep reading

Check if your roof qualifies