Painting wooden shingles

[LaneC]

    Hello all.
  I was wondering if shingles lasted any longer if you were to paint only the exterior side of the shingle. I understand different species will last differently, but in general if one were to paint the shingles every 10 years or so, would that make them last longer? Any input is greatly appreciated.

[jueston]

i don't know anything about painting wooden shingles(as far as i know, this is not a common practice) but i have seen other painted wooden things sit out in the weather in a horizontal fashion and the paint failed very quickly.

failing paint is much more dangerous then no paint, because failing paint will allow water in through the cracks, and then hold the water in causing mold and rot.

i would guess a painted shingle roof would not outlast an unpainted shingle roof. but thats only a guess... i'm sure someone with some more expertise will be here soon to comment.

i wonder about deck sealer or deck stain though, that is made to be outside and in a horizontal application, so maybe that would work...

[venice]

Dont paint them. Jueston is right on here. Cracks in the paint layer allow the water in but prevent the moisture to dry out. And the paint will crack.

Next thing you see is rot. Usually when it´s to late.  A properly constructed shingle roof is a multilayer system where one layer protects the next. Check for failing or missing shingles once in a while to prevent water getting into this "layer-system", replace them in time and your roof will last for quite some time. I´ve seen older one´s but(depending on material and maintenance) 30+ lifetime is a reasonable assumption for a shingle roof.

A sunny roof with good ventilation will last longer than one that is all the time in the shaddow from trees or neighboring buildungs. Remove moss and dirt every couple years.

venice

[Jim_Rogers]

He never said they were roof shingles.

Wall wooden shingles are painted all the time around here.

Jim Rogers

[beenthere]

Instead of paint, use a penetrating semi-transparent stain.

[D L Bahler]

second the stain idea,
or a heavy oil of some sort
or a highly thinned tar.

SOme people use Diesel fuel to treat shingles and wooden siding. Yikes

Just remember whatever you put on, wooden shingles are ALREADY a fire risk.

Personally, I have been trying to think of a solution for years, a fire retardant I can treat shingles with that does not compromise their integrity or looks.

[ed in idaho]

some kind of preservative oil a little research would help.

Ed

[jueston]

He never said they were roof shingles.

Wall wooden shingles are painted all the time around here.

Jim Rogers

i didn't even think of that. my recommendation if it is a wall is a high quality primer fallowed by a high quality latex paint meant to be outside and you can expect a long life.

[Brian_Weekley]

I would think a stain would be much better than paint (and I would only do it for wall applications).

[venice]

He never said they were roof shingles.

Wall wooden shingles are painted all the time around here.

Jim Rogers

OOPS, this is what happens when you are working on different things at the same time. I´ve been thinking roof for some reason. Sorry for that and feel free to ignore me.   :D

Thanks Jim.

However, paint or any other treatment is not needed to expand the lifetime of your shingles and can be counterproductive. Wall or roof, it doesn´t matter really. Proper construction, workmanship and regular maintenance is the key in any case. Painting or staining for appearence is a different topic if you can´t live with your wood aging gracefully.

venice

[matrikkel]

I wouldn't paint with latex, even with highgrade. It is a moisture barrier, like plastic, and could trap water under it accelerating rot and decay. If you have ventilation behind the shingle, it could work.

I'll raise a hand for light oil stains; like pine turpentine+boiled linseed+pine tar 1/3+1/3+1/3. Light coats, as long the wood absorbs it.

[Jim_Rogers]

Welcome Matrikkel

Jim Rogers

[LaneC]

Thanks for all of the input. Great advice as usual. More things to think about now, and thanks again for the replies.

[logdoc]

I used to work for the USFS and they "painted" their shingle roofs all the time using the Madison formula along with what ever green or brown tint they needed the roof to be. The Madison formula had as a component penta, which may be why those roofs lasted so long (and they were old growth Western Red Cedar). Perhaps a modified version of the Madison formula-no penta- but instead a pre-treating with a liquid borate might give the sort of protection desired. Followed by the Madison formula liquid. That formula is a document on the Forest Products Lab web site.

[BradMarks]

As a kid we had a house with shingle outside walls - they got painted.  Last summer I rehabed the outside walls of our "guest house" (think converted garage) that had cedar horizontal siding. It had been painted/cracked/flaked/painted/cracked...so many times it was ugly.  Also had water issues. I flipped the siding that was still usable(a lot had old bug damage, or got damaged removing it - they used bigger nails in 1950 for siding!). So I had old growth water stained western red cedar - very dark brown - exposed. It sucked up the primer like a sponge, in some places 6-8 coats, and still the stain would bleed thru a bit. Then with 2-3 coats of decent paint, it looks good. But I will not paint the Manshack, it is cedar board and bat, and aging according to sun and water exposure. Mostly 1x12 with 2 1/2 bats.

[beenthere]

logdoc
Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

Some info in your profile, and would like to hear about a log doc.   ;D

Madison formula did have Penta in it.
10% Boiled linseed oil
5% Penta
1½% paraffin wax
83½% Mineral Spirits

or
1¾ qts Boiled linseed oil
3 qts Penta concentrate (10:1)
1/3 lb paraffin wax
4 gal fuel oil (#1 or #2) or mineral spirits

Found other places too.
http://pachamamatrust.org/f2/1_K/CBu_build/Se10_stains_KBu.htm

and
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-diy-outdoor-furnit-63649

Maybe Penta concentrate is available now, but if so it would be news to me.

[36 coupe]

    Hello all.
  I was wondering if shingles lasted any longer if you were to paint only the exterior side of the shingle. I understand different species will last differently, but in general if one were to paint the shingles every 10 years or so, would that make them last longer? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Stain will keep water of the wood.Paint will peel.Stain just wears away.