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Understanding Asphalt Shingle Aging

The Curing Phase

Asphalt shingles, like all materials, age over time. In the first few years, during what is known as the Curing Phase, you may notice small surface cracks or blisters. These early signs are normal and do not impact the shingles’ ability to protect your roof.

The Stable Phase

Following the initial aging, the shingles enter a Stable Phase, where signs of wear slow down significantly. This phase can last 20 to 30 years, influenced by factors such as roof construction, ventilation, pitch, location, materials, design, underlayment, and the quality of installation.

The Final Phase

As the shingles near the end of their lifespan, the aging process accelerates. This is the Final Phase, when many homeowners start considering roof replacement. During this time, you may observe the following:

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Roof

Curling

You may notice slight curling along the bottom edge of the shingles, especially in cold weather. This occurs as the asphalt loses its oils, becoming more rigid and shrinking faster than the felt underneath.

Surface Cracking

Over time, exposure to the sun and environmental factors can cause small surface cracks, much like how skin reacts to heat. This cracking is a normal part of the aging process as shingles become more brittle.

Blisters

Large blisters, sometimes as big as a quarter, may appear on the surface of aging shingles. These can be open or closed and are often caused by inadequate ventilation or tree sap. Small blisters typically do not affect shingle performance.

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L

22 November 2025

★★★★★

“We worked with Midtown Home Improvements to replace our front door. They were so transparent with their pricing and policies. Peter took the time to help us get exactly what we wanted for our front door. The computer mock up really helped us envision what it would look like. He explained the construction of the door so we knew we were getting a quality product. We had a great experience and will definitely work with them again for future projects.”

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A

26 November 2025

★★★★★

“Zach Kleine – was on time and informative about the type fence that is suitable for our back yard and helping us in getting permissions from County and providing us with required documents for HOA approval..”

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T

26 November 2025

★★★★★

“Great company with outstanding products and customer service. From the salesman coming to our home to the installers everything was perfect. Thanks, Midtown Home Improvements ”

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D

25 November 2025

★★★★★

“Very informative, he was a little bit late, but made up for it, his performance was amazing.And he was extremely attractive. Thanks midtown”

Google Review
L

25 November 2025

★★★★★

“This was a great experience. Peter was a phenomenal support in making this opportunity informative and accessible. Chris was also incredibly informative and helpful in making this project a reality for me. Great people to work with!!!”

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L

24 November 2025

★★★★★

“Lukas and Steven came out and gave us an estimate for windows and glass sliding doors. They were very knowledgeable and informative but not overbearing. Looking forward to our new windows!”

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P

29 November 2025

★★★★★

“Had a great experience with siding done by Midtown and when Nate knocked on my door roofing was not on my list but in the discussion I saw how it should be. Tyler did the follow-up job to explain the product and process. Long story short, Tyler showed me that with 12 month no interest it was very manageable and so I feel very comfortable with going with a new roof.”

Google Review
L

22 November 2025

★★★★★

“Evan Rustau and Zach Icleine were very knowledgeable and helpful getting me a price for a well needed roof upgrade with plenty of flexibility twards my needs.”

Google Review
L

22 November 2025

★★★★★

“From start to finish the guys who knocked on the door to the rep Cody who came over we had an amazing experience. Very informative gave us multiple options on the project and we look forward to doing a project with midtown at some point in the future..”

Google Review
L

22 November 2025

★★★★★

“Midtown did out patio covering and did a killer job. I can’t recommend them enough. Daniel and his team were professional and worked with our timeline.”