Lifespan of Your Roof: A Complete Guide
Lifespan of Your Roof: A Complete Guide
Building the dream home is definitely not a cakewalk. It’s about investing a lot of time and money and one of the questions that most of the homeowners ask across the USA before planning to build their house is will the investment be worth it or not? Well, the answer is not that simple.
The roof of the house is one of the most important aspects that you should focus on while planning your home as it protects your family from any outside force. If you are wondering how long does a roof last? The answer to that question is that it is a mix of several factors such as material used in roofing, quality of the work done by the roof designer along with climate of the region in which your house is located and how well do you maintain the house.
Some low end roofs require replacement in a short span of 15 years but if you opt for premium materials such as slate to build the roof of your house then it can even protect your house from anything and everything for a few decades. Understanding the lifespan of the roof will help you plan the budget better irrespective of whether you are building a new roof or replacing the old one with a new one.
Here in this article, I will discuss every single aspect regarding the lifespan of your roof in detail.
On an Average How Long Your Roof Can Last Based on Roofing Material
The material in use to build the roof is one of the key contributors to the lifespan of the roof that your house has. Every single roofing type available in the market comes with a different average life expectancy. Knowing the difference will always keep you one step ahead.
| Roofing Material | Average Lifespan |
| Asphalt shingles (3-tab) | 15–20 years |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | 20–30 years |
| Metal roofing | 40–70 years |
| Clay or concrete tile | 50–100 years |
| Slate roofing | 75–200 years |
| Wood shake/shingle | 20–40 years |
You should always keep in mind that manufacturer warranty that you get at the time of purchasing may vary from the actual lifespan.
Various Factors That Contribute to the LIfespan of Roof
Even if you opt for the most durable material available in the market to create the perfect roof for your home your roof may show the signs of wear and tear if it is not taken proper care of. Let me talk about some of these primary determinants of how long does a roof last?
- Climate Conditions: Harsh climatic conditions such as heavy snowfall or tornado and even excessive exposure to the sunlight can damage the roofing materials in no time. If I take the example of Asphalt shingles, you will see that they decay faster in regions that record higher temperature compared to colder parts of the country.
- Quality of Installation: A roof only becomes strong because of the craftsmanship. If your roof designer is inexperienced and failed to install the roofing properly then no matter what material you use, the lifespan of that roof is going to decrease. So, it is strongly advisable that you hire only certified and skilled contractors to get the job done.
- Ventilation and Pitch of the Roof: Keeping the ventilation in the attic in the right amount will ensure that there is no heat or moisture buildup which can cause some serious damage to your house. On the other hand, if you build a steep roof that will surely help you to shed water more efficiently. Thus, there is a less chance of leaks.
- Efforts Put in Maintenance: Maintenance is an integral part of expanding the life of your roof. You have to regularly clean the gutters, replace broken or missing shingles. You should also keep an eye for moss and algae formation on the roof that directly leads to the reduction in the lifespan of your roof.
- Material in Use and their warranties: Not all the roofing materials available in the market comes with equal facilities. Choosing higher end products for building the roof usually provide better resistance from impact and also they come with longer warranty periods.
Signs That Indicates That It’s Time For Replacement
Having a clear idea of when to seek a replacement of your existing roof can avoid some serious structural and water damage to your house. Some of the common warning signs that you can spot with naked eye are –
- Problem with Shingles: If the shingles in the roof show signs of curling, cracking or any shingle goes missing then the underlying layers get exposed. This in turn allows water to seep in.
- Loss of Granules: If you start finding granules in the gutters or downspouts then it is evident that the condition of the asphalt shingles are worsening day by day.
- Leaks and Water Stains Becoming a Common Thing: Another strong indicator of roof damage is water entering in the attic or stains becoming visible on the ceilings of the house.
- Sagged Roofline: Any kind of structural damage and weekend decking indicate that it is the time to get a new roof.
- Calculating Age: You should have a count and when your roof is nearing the ending of the expected life, don’t wait for the signs of damage to appear, replace it immediately.
How to Increase Roof Life
Nothing lasts forever but with care and maintenance we can make the objects useful for years. This is also true for roofs. Following steps can make your roof withstand harsh conditions more.
- Inspecting at least once a year, and special inspections after a heavy strom or snowfall.
- Addressing minor issues to prevent further damage.
- Keeping the airflow in the attic intact.
- Moss Control and keeping the drainage clear.
- Coating the roof materials for added protection.
Lifespan vs Warranty
Last but not least you should never get confused between warranties and actual time that the roof is going to last.
- Manufacturer Warranty: A manufacturer warranty in case of roof lies somewhere in between 20 to 50 years. They promise to cover the cost of material defects but do not promise that the product is going to last the said period of time in the real world.
- Workmanship Warranty: This type of warranty is usually offered by contractors and gives you an assurance regarding installation and quality of the material in use. They can range from a year to 5 years depending on the market norms and the contractor.
Warranties always cover specific damages and not all the wear and tear that are primarily caused by weather.
Final Thoughts
A roof is one of your home’s most important components, both functionally and financially. Most homeowners should anticipate asphalt shingles to last 20-30 years, although luxury materials such as tile, metal, or slate can last considerably longer if properly cared for.
The primary lessons are straightforward: invest in excellent installation, conduct frequent inspections, and maintain the roof with timely repairs and cleanings. Upkeep the roof and your roof life may get extended beyond the statistical data mentioned earlier.
In case you are unsure about the current condition of your roof and getting confused whether to change the existing roof or not it is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice.
A trained roofer with expertise and knowledge of the craft will be able to detect problems early on, and will give you a proper estimate of remaining life, and even can present you with ways to enhance durability. Protecting your roof now means protecting your entire house for decades.
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