Most homeowners do not think about their roof until something goes wrong. A stain on the ceiling. A shingle in the driveway after a storm. A contractor knocking on the door telling them it is time for a full replacement. The truth is, by the time most people are having that conversation, they have already missed the window where the smarter and significantly cheaper options were available to them. This blog article is about that window. What is happening to your roof right now, what your actual options are, and how to make the right call before replacement is the only one left on the table.
What Is Actually Happening to Your Asphalt Roof
Asphalt shingles are petroleum based. They rely on oils to stay flexible, repel water, and hold their granules in place. From the day they are installed, exposure to UV rays, temperature swings, moisture, and Ontario’s freeze thaw cycles begins breaking those oils down. The shingles become brittle. Granules loosen and end up in the gutters. Micro cracks form. Water finds its way in. Most of this damage is invisible to the naked eye until it is not.
Here is something most homeowners do not know. Modern asphalt shingles are not built the way they were decades ago. Changes in manufacturing over the years have resulted in shingles that are thinner, lighter, and contain less asphalt than the ones installed on older homes. They rely more heavily on fillers which makes them more vulnerable to Ontario’s climate than previous generations of shingles were. A roof that your parents might have gotten 30 years out of is now realistically lasting closer to 15 to 25 years under the same conditions.
Ontario’s freeze thaw cycle accelerates everything. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and opens those cracks wider every single winter. UV rays bake the shingles through summer. Algae and moss take hold wherever moisture lingers and their root systems physically lift tabs and break seals from underneath. Most of this is happening slowly and invisibly. By the time it shows up as a stain on your ceiling or a shingle in the driveway, the damage has been building for years.
For a deeper look at why asphalt shingles fail earlier than most people expect, GoNano has published a detailed breakdown, that is worth reading before you make any decisions about your roof.
The window to act is before the damage compounds. Spring, when the winter damage is visible but summer heat has not yet arrived to accelerate the aging process further, is the best time to make a decision.
Your Options Before Replacing
Replacement is not always the answer. Depending on the age and condition of your roof, there are treatments that can extend its life significantly for a fraction of the cost of tearing it off.
Bio oil treatments have been used for decades to restore aging asphalt. The same agricultural oil technology that keeps asphalt roads pliable across North America has been adapted for residential roofing. Products like Bio-Boost work by replenishing the petrochemical oils that shingles lose over time, restoring flexibility and slowing the aging process. It is a cost effective option for older roofs that extends life by 3 to 5 years per application. Several companies in Ontario offer bio oil based treatments and it is worth understanding where this technology sits relative to newer options.
Nanotechnology treatments are a more recent and significantly more advanced option. Rather than simply restoring surface oils, nanotechnology penetrates the shingle at a molecular level and chemically bonds with the asphalt to rebuild its internal structure. The result is a shingle that is stronger, more flexible, more water resistant, and more impact resistant than it was before treatment. This is not a surface coating that sits on top of the shingle and eventually wears away. It is a structural reinforcement that works from the inside out.
Full roof replacement is the right answer when a roof has significant structural damage, widespread water infiltration, or is simply beyond the point where treatment can help. For most Ontario homes with a structurally sound roof under 25 years old, replacement is often a premature and expensive decision.
How GoNano Works and Why Nanotechnology Is Different
GoNano is the technology behind NuRoof Revive and NuRoof Fortify, available through Apex Impressions across the GTA and Southern Ontario. It is the only nanotechnology based roof treatment available in the Canadian market and the difference between it and bio oil treatments is meaningful.
GoNano uses biodegradable nanosilica particles that are small enough to penetrate deep into the pores of asphalt shingles. Once inside, they chemically bond with the bitumen and create new molecular links called S1 particles. These particles fuse the shingle’s structure together from the inside out, creating a unified barrier against moisture, UV rays, algae, and extreme weather.
The results have been independently verified. CNETE laboratory analysis proved GoNano creates a hydrophobic barrier by chemically bonding to asphalt at a molecular level. UL Standards fire testing confirmed Class A shingles remain Class A after treatment. Impact resistance testing showed treated Class 1 shingles performing at a Class 3 and Class 4 level. Fifteen year old treated shingles have been shown to outperform brand new untreated ones.
There are two NuRoof formulations available depending on the age and condition of your roof.
NuRoof Fortify is designed for newer roofs under 5 years old. It acts as a preventive shield, locking in performance before damage starts. High concentration nanoparticles strengthen the shingle’s molecular bonds, improve impact resistance against hail, increase wind durability, and help granules stay in place longer. One treatment comes with a 15 year guaranteed extension. Learn more about NuRoof Fortify at apeximpressions.com/gonano-protective-coatings.
NuRoof Revive is designed for roofs between 5 and 20 years old that are starting to show signs of wear. Granule loss, minor fading, reduced flexibility, micro cracking. Revive rebuilds the shingle’s resilience, restores elasticity, seals micro cracks, and creates a hydrophobic barrier that protects against water, algae, and surface erosion. One treatment comes with up to a 10 year guaranteed extension. Learn more about NuRoof Revive at apeximpressions.com/gonano-protective-coatings.
Both treatments are applied in a single visit using a low pressure sprayer. The process is clean and non invasive. Overspray does not damage gutters, siding, windows, or plants. The treatment dries in hours and cures fully within 24 hours. And importantly, neither treatment voids your existing shingle manufacturer warranty. Under Canadian law, a manufacturer cannot void your warranty because you used a third party maintenance product. GoNano’s independent testing proves it improves every measurable performance metric of your shingles, which makes any manufacturer claim to the contrary essentially impossible to defend.
For a deeper look at the science behind GoNano visit gonano.com/en/science.
GoNano Beyond the Roof
Your asphalt roof is not the only surface on your home that takes a beating from Ontario’s climate. The same nanotechnology that protects your shingles also works on concrete driveways and walkways, wood decks and fences, patios, and stone surfaces.
GoNano penetrates these materials at a molecular level the same way it does with asphalt, creating a hydrophobic barrier that resists moisture, UV damage, algae, mould, and staining without changing the appearance of the surface. Treated concrete handles freeze thaw cycles better and resists cracking, spalling, and salt damage. Treated wood stays stronger and more resistant to rot and fading without any film, flaking, or peeling.
If you are thinking about protecting your roof this spring, it is worth having a conversation about your other exterior surfaces at the same time. Apex Impressions offers GoNano treatments across the full exterior of your home. Learn more at apeximpressions.com/gonano-protective-coatings.
How Do You Know Which Option Is Right for You
The right treatment depends on three things. How old your roof is. What condition it is in. And what you are trying to protect against.
Roof under 5 years old and in good condition: NuRoof Fortify. Protect it now while you have the most to gain.
Roof between 5 and 20 years old showing early signs of wear: NuRoof Revive. Rebuild what the weather has taken and add up to 10 years of guaranteed life.
Roof over 20 years old with significant granule loss or drying: Bio-Boost is worth exploring. A free consultation will confirm whether treatment is still viable or whether replacement is the more honest answer.
Roof with visible structural damage, sagging, or active leaks: Replacement is likely necessary. Get an inspection done first before committing to anything.
If you are not sure where your roof lands, Apex Impressions offers free consultations across the GTA and Southern Ontario. We will give you a straight answer on what makes sense for your home. Book yours!
FAQ
Will GoNano void my existing roof warranty?
No. Under Canadian law a manufacturer cannot void your warranty because you used a third party maintenance product. GoNano is independently tested and proven to improve every measurable performance metric of your shingles. A manufacturer would have to prove GoNano caused a specific defect, and since the product makes shingles stronger in every measurable way, that argument does not hold up. For more detail visit apeximpressions.com/gonano-faqs.
Will it change how my roof looks?
No. GoNano is a translucent treatment. For newer roofs it preserves the colour and keeps the shingle looking fresh longer. For older roofs many homeowners notice the colour looks revitalized after treatment. It does not alter the appearance of the roof in any visible way.
Does it affect fire safety?
No. Class A shingles remain Class A after treatment as tested under UL Standards fire standard UL790. Treatment does not change fire susceptibility in any direction.
How is it applied?
With a low pressure liquid sprayer similar to what is used for pesticide applications. The process is clean, non invasive, and typically completed in a single visit. The treatment dries within hours and cures fully in 24 hours.
How long does one treatment last?
One treatment provides the full guaranteed extension without needing to be reapplied. A second treatment applied partway through the warranty period can further increase protection benefits.
Is GoNano only for roofs?
No. The same nanotechnology works on concrete, wood, stone, and other exterior surfaces. Apex Impressions applies GoNano treatments across the full exterior of your home. Learn more at apeximpressions.com/gonano-protective-coatings.
