ASPHALT CHANGES AS IT AGES
FLEXIBLE ASPHALT → OXIDATION + WEATHERING → STIFFER, MORE BRITTLE ASPHALT
Years of sun, heat, oxygen and weather gradually oxidize asphalt. As it stiffens, shingles lose flexibility and become more vulnerable to deterioration.
LESS FLEXIBLE
Aged asphalt bends less easily.
WEAKER GRANULE HOLD
Aging asphalt can become less effective at retaining its protective mineral surface.
PREVENTION MATTERS
Rejuvenation works on material that is still worth preserving—it cannot rebuild a failed roof.
WE'RE NOT PAINTING YOUR ROOF
ROOF COATING
Forms a surface layer.
ROOF REJUVENATION
Designed to penetrate and work with the existing asphalt.
The goal is to strengthen the shingle—not hide deterioration beneath a cosmetic film.
SME — SOY METHYL ESTER
- Soy-derived ester chemistry
- Primarily provides an oil/plasticizing effect
- Commonly used in roof rejuvenation
SESO isn't simply “more soybean oil.” The soybean oil has been chemically modified to behave differently with aged asphalt.
NOT ALL SOY-BASED TREATMENTS ARE THE SAME
SESO AND SOY METHYL ESTER ARE DIFFERENT CHEMISTRIES
SESO — SEMI-EPOXIDIZED SOYBEAN OIL
- Chemically modified soybean oil
- Contains reactive epoxide functionality
- Engineered to interact with aged, oxidized asphalt
- The chemistry Shingle Revival deliberately chose
SESO HAS BEEN TESTED AGAINST SOY METHYL ESTER
A 2025 peer-reviewed study tested SESO emulsions on aged asphalt shingles alongside a soy methyl ester treatment for comparison.
FLEXIBILITY / DUCTILITY
SESO showed strong restoration of ductility in aged shingles under the study conditions.
IMPACT PERFORMANCE
The tested SESO formulation restored hail-impact performance in the study.
GRANULE RETENTION
Both SESO and SME improved grit retention.
FLAME SPREAD
The tested SESO formulation showed lower flame spread than SME-treated and untreated specimens under the reported conditions.
Across the other evaluated properties beyond grit retention, the SESO formulations significantly outperformed the SME treatment in the study.
THE TREATMENT BEHIND OUR REJUVENATION
Shingle Revival currently uses SoyLei APEX-1132™, a SESO-based rejuvenation treatment developed for asphalt shingles.
PENETRATION
Designed to enter compatible asphalt shingles rather than form a thick coating.
FLEXIBILITY
Designed to help restore flexibility in aged asphalt.
GRANULE ADHESION
Designed to improve retention of the protective mineral surface.
