Guide
Is nano protection for a roof worth it?
Short answer
Yes, and the best moment is earlier than most people think. On a new roof, nano protection gives the most because you act before the wear starts. On an aging roof there is still a lot to gain. The only real no is a roof that leaks or no longer holds up structurally.
Is it worth it on a new roof?
This is the best case, and it surprises people. You often hear that a new roof does not need it. The opposite is true: shingle aging is cumulative, and what you prevent in the first year is never recovered later.
The two mechanisms that wear a shingle, absorbed water that freezes and UV that degrades the binder, start in the first season. Protecting a shingle that is still flexible and complete acts on its whole service life rather than on whatever is left of it.
What about a 10 or 15 year old roof?
There is still a lot to gain. An aging but sound roof absorbs more water than a new one, precisely because the surface has started to open up, so reducing that absorption acts on a problem already under way.
It is also where the math is easiest to do: you weigh the cost of protecting against the cost of a replacement you would rather postpone.
What if the roof is badly worn?
Have it looked at before throwing it away. A roof that looks finished often is not, and plenty of people replace on an impression rather than an examination.
We look at it and tell you straight what we see. If it is still treatable, you just gained years. If it is not, you know before spending anything, and you go to a roofer with one more piece of information.
When do we say no?
When the roof leaks, or when it no longer works structurally. A split, lifted or missing shingle, failed flashing, sagging decking, inadequate ventilation: that is roofer’s work and no coating substitutes for it.
It is written that way in our terms and we do not work around it. Below that line, though, we will look.
What about the shingle manufacturer warranty?
It covers less than most homeowners think, and it is worth reading yours before relying on it. Shingle warranties in this category are generally prorated, meaning their value declines over the years, and they cover manufacturing defects rather than the normal aging caused by UV and water.
They are also often conditional: documented maintenance, adequate attic ventilation, compliant installation. Labour is frequently excluded or limited to the early years, and transfer to a new owner is often restricted.
This is not aimed at anyone in particular; it is how this category of warranty is usually structured. Read yours, including what it says about applying a surface product, and judge on the document rather than on the idea that a 25 or 30 year warranty covers you against wear.
What does the NX Canada warranty cover?
It exists only when our own crews apply the product. It is set by the roof’s age: 15 years if it is under 10 years old, 10 years if it is older. It covers product performance, meaning water repellency and UV resistance, and it is transferable on resale. It does not cover labour.
If you apply the product yourself there is no warranty. Not a reduced warranty. None.
Frequently asked questions
- My roof is new. Should I wait a few years?
- No. This is the best moment. Aging is cumulative: what you prevent now is not recovered later. Waiting means protecting a shingle that has already started to go.
- Is it too late if my roof is 20 years old?
- Not necessarily, and this is exactly the case to have looked at rather than assumed. As long as it does not leak and holds up structurally, it is a candidate. We will tell you straight either way.
- Does this replace my shingle warranty?
- No, they are two different things. The manufacturer warranty covers manufacturing defects; ours covers the performance of the applied product. Read your own terms, including what they say about surface products.
Sources
These are the published sources behind the claims above. They describe the product CLASS (silane and siloxane repellents), not tests on Nanoxeal itself. We keep that distinction.
Want it looked at properly?
Tell us the surface, the city and the condition it is in. If a coating is the wrong answer for your situation we will say so.
Buying the product to apply yourself goes through the storefront. Buy Nanoxeal →
Other guides
- Roof moss and algae: what to do, and in what order
- Why concrete scales with de-icing salt
- When to apply a water repellent: temperature, weather and season
- Why asphalt shingles age
- How to tell if your water repellent still works
- Roof rejuvenation: what it means, and what it does not
- Protecting exterior wood: deck, fence and siding
- Treat or replace your roof: how to decide
- Roof maintenance in Quebec: what to do and when