MSR&PC, AURI show off soy rejuvenate that extends the life of your shingles

Brought to you by Roof Maxx, along with the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC)

While the average asphalt shingle roof lasts around 15-20 years, soybeans could help extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years more and with a serious cost savings, too.

Roof Maxx, along with the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), hosted a demonstration July 16 at a Thief River Falls home to show off the benefits of the soy-based roof rejuvenating product. Roof Maxx uses an application of soy methyl ester emulsion (SMEE) to replenish the petrochemical oils that evaporate over time, which restores the shingle’s flexibility, extends its life and enhances its ability to withstand the elements.

“The petro oil in asphalt shingles will leach out over time, leaving it dry and brittle. What we’re doing is putting soybean oil back in to make it pliable and flexible,” said Mathew Schad, owner of Roof Maxx of Grand Rapids.

There are many advantages to applying a soy-based roof rejuvenating product, the first and foremost being the cost savings. On average the application costs between 15 and 20% less than the cost of replacing an asphalt roof. Each application lasts a minimum of five years but potentially up to 10 years or longer.

Also of importance are the environmental benefits. Roof Maxx is a food-grade, plant-based product that’s safe for people, pets and plants, and by prolonging the life of your roof, you’re reducing the number of asphalt shingles in the landfill.

“Attempting to recycle asphalt shingles is an extremely carbon-intensive process and most of the time they just end up getting buried in landfills,” said Harold Stanislawski, business and industry development director for AURI. “So, the best solution is to keep them on the roof as long as possible by using a soy rejuvenate.”

According to a recent study by Ohio State University, approximately seven percent of U.S. roof shingles are replaced each year. The study found that 5.6 billion pounds of landfill waste could be avoided each year, plus 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions, if only one percent of single-family homes (about 15 percent of annual replacements) applied a SMEE product to their roof shingles.

Roof Maxx and other companies who use the soy rejuvenate product are supporting Minnesota farmers by using a by-product of soybeans. MSR&PC Director Corey Hanson, who farms near Gary, drove up to see the demonstration. The actual application of the SMEE on the 5,200 square foot house took only an hour.

“This is just another example of a great use for our Minnesota soybeans and your checkoff dollars at work creating new demands,” said Hanson. “It just once again shows the versatility of soybeans. From paints to biodiesel to soybean meal for livestock and now soy-based lawn fertilizer, the list of uses for soybeans continues to grow.”

Hanson adds that at the end of the day, for homeowners, it comes down to saving money and saving the planet and the soy-based Roof Maxx product checks both of those boxes.

“There are millions of homeowners across the country with asphalt shingles who could save money and the environment by using a soy rejuvenate to extend the life of their roof. As a soybean farmer, that’s pretty exciting to think about,” Hanson said.