Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, if not the most important.
Your roof keeps your family and belongings safe from the elements.
However, many people aren't aware of how long their roof will last or how often they should replace it.
It depends on the type of roof you have and how well it's maintained.
The biggest impact on the lifespan of your roof is the type of roofing material you choose.
The cheaper your roof, the shorter lifespan it will have, and the more maintenance your roof shingles will need.
And in contrast, a more expensive roofing material should last longer with less maintenance.
Some roofs will last up to 20 years, while others can last 50-75 years.
As a homeowner, you've invested a lot into your home, so you should also invest a lot into your roof so you can prolong its lifespan so it doesn't have to be replaced often.
In the article below, we will look at how often certain roofs may need to be replaced.
Average Lifespan of a Roof
There are several types of roofs, and each roofing material will have different life expectancies.
Depending on what type of roof you have, it may need to be replaced more or less often.
Here are a few estimates of how often a roof may need to be replaced depending on the roofing material used.
Check out another blog: Do I Have To Replace My Whole Roof If It's Leaking?
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular choice when it comes to roofing materials.
Under normal circumstances, composition shingles and 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs should last 15-20 years before they need to be replaced.
Some asphalt roofs may last up to 30 years.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another popular choice because they are energy-efficient and resilient.
Common materials used for metal roofs, like steel and aluminum, can last up to 50 years before they need to be replaced.
Other metal roofing options, like zinc and copper, can last 100 years or more.
Clay or Cement Tile Roofs
Clay and cement tile roofing are two of the sturdiest roofing options available.
These tiles are extremely resilient, and they're heavy.
That means they're installed and top of durable roofing reinforcement, which means your home is even more protected.
Tile roofing is extremely durable and can last from 50 to 100 years.
What Can Shorten Your Roof’s Life Expectancy
There are a few things that can shorten the life expectancy of any roof.
Here are a few:
- Storm Damage: Major storms and heavy rain are your roof's worse nightmare. Thunderstorms, hail, and high winds can take a heavy toll on your roof. Depending on your roofing material, you’ll notice the different forms of damage that can cause roof leaks. For example, asphalt and wood shingles can blow off, and metal roofing can dent or bend before coming off completely.
- Long Exposure to UV Rays: Prolonged exposure to the sun and extreme heat creates thermal shocks to the roofing materials. This can cause expansion and contraction leading to cracks, tears, or curls, causing roof replacement sooner than expected.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting your roof and failing to perform regular roof maintenance can intensify problems and accelerate the wear and tear on your roof. Roof leaks and mold can shave years off of the lifespan of your home's roof. Ignoring specific maintenance tasks can also void your warranty and cause the roofing material to degrade much faster.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Poor ventilation and insulation can cause warm, moist air to build up that can quickly rot your roof.
Inspecting a Bad Roof
If you think you’ve got a bad roof, you'll want to inspect your entire roof, keeping an eye out for a few things.
Fortunately, you can inspect your roof from the ground without having to get on the roof.
Even if you don't think your roof is bad, you should be performing regular roof inspections, keeping an eye out for the following:
- Curled, cracked, or broken shingles
- Missing shingles
- Missing shingle granules
Curled, Cracked, or Broken Shingles
If you notice curled, cracked, or broken shingles, your roof is likely at the end of its lifespan, and it will need to be replaced soon.
Curls, cracks, and brakes are typically caused by the hot sun baking on your shingles for days.
If you notice any damaged shingles, you should have them fixed or replaced right away.
Cracks and gaps between the broken shingles can allow water to seep through the roof and into your home.
Missing Shingles
If you notice any missing shingles, it's likely due to storm damage or high winds.
If there's a section of your roof with missing shingles, call your local roofing contractor as soon as possible.
Missing shingles need to be replaced before water leaks into your home.
You should also look at the flashing around your chimney or vents to make sure there are no leaks.
Missing Shingle Granules
On an asphalt roof, shingle granules are the stone and composite materials attached to the top of shingles with tar.
Roof granules can come loose over time as the weather and the elements wear on them.
You’ll notice them in the roof valley or the gutters.
A consistent build-up of granules is a sign that you’re going to need a new roof sooner rather than later.
Who Installed Your Current Roof?
An often-overlooked factor that contributes to the longevity of many types of roofs is the install quality.
Even if you shell out the money for the best roofing materials, a bad roofing installation will fail over time.
Before having your roof replaced, make sure to do your research and find the best roofing company in your area.
Find out how long they have been in business and look up reviews and testimonials.
See if your neighbors have recently had new roofs installed and if they've had any issues.
See if they offer warranties on both the materials and the installation.
And always choose someone local because local roofing companies are invested in the community and dedicated to building lasting relationships with their customers.
Contact Your Local Roofing Company
If you think it's time to replace your roof, contact your local roofing company.
Working with local roofing experts gets you a reputable roofing company to complete your roofing project, and you're supporting your neighbors and your local economy as well.
TK Roofing and Gutters has been serving the communities of Northeast Ohio for over 15 years and they're committed to providing quality roofing services to their local Ohio communities.
Whether you need a full roof replacement, major or minor repairs, or an annual roof inspection, the local roofers at TK Roofing and Gutters will make sure your roofing job is done the right way the first time.
Click the button below to schedule your FREE ESTIMATE with Ohio's best roofers.
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