Wind, rain, hail, sun, and many other factors cause a roof to deteriorate over time. Some of the aging is obvious, and some is not. The UV rays from the sun cause asphalt roofing to “cook”  out the resins and oils that make the asphalt soft, pliable, and flexible. The granules on the shingles purpose aren’t just for appearance, but more importantly to extend the life of the asphalt by protecting it from these UV rays! Seasonal temperature cycles also do their own kind of damage by causing materials to expand and contract year after year. This leads to brittleness and eventual breakage.