Your roof is sturdy for sure, but it will not last forever. So, we thought it would be great to tell you how long a roof lasts. That way, you’ll learn your roof’s life expectancy if you need to replace it. Once you want to replace your roof, you can consider this info to decide on the type of roof you like over your house.
How long does a roof last? Depending on the material, installation & maintenance, a roof lasts between 20 to 100 years. Asphalt shingles last around 20 years, flat roofs between 20 and 40 years, tile roofs 50 years, metal roofs up to 70 years, and slate roofs can endure more than 100 years.
Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of the most used types of flat roots.
Asphalt shingles are, without a doubt, the most wanted type of roof in the United States.
It is the most common type of roof material because it looks excellent and doesn’t cost as much as others. Asphalt shingles are relatively cheap to install because they don’t require any special equipment to install them, and they are easy to maintain.
Asphalt shingles protect against rainy and sunny weather because they’re flexible enough not to crack when exposed to varying temperatures.
As long as you maintain regular maintenance and cleaning, asphalt shingles will last 20 to 25 years without needing replacement!
The cons of installing asphalt shingles are that they can be damaged by hail storms and blown away by high winds.
Depending on the material, installation & maintenance, a flat roof’s lifespan can go from 20 years to 40 years.
However, the above-defined lifespan will depend significantly on the installation service.
As an experienced roofing contractor near Columbia, SC, we have gotten calls from clients with poorly designed and installed flat roofs.
The most common problem with those commercial roofs is poor drainage, resulting from poor design of roof slopes, low-quality materials that cause sagging, or the build-up of silt.
When doing our roof inspection on the buildings of potential clients, it’s common to see water ponding on their flat roofs.
Here is where we come to the rescue. JM Exteriors Roofing Siding has served 15+ years as a roofing company in Lowell, MA.
Thus, we can provide budget-friendly, effective & enduring flat roofing solutions.
Tile roofs are far more expensive than asphalt shingles because they last longer.
The lifespan of a tile roof will typically be 50 years or more, whereas the average functionality and lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is about 25 years.
Asphalt shingles are more accessible to repair than tile because their manufacturing material is thinner.
However, this makes them more susceptible to damage even when you walk over shingles while inspecting or cleaning them!
Tile roofs are slightly more likely to leak than asphalt ones, requiring less maintenance over time.
And more durability and less maintenance are what you want when it comes down to choosing between these two materials!
If I put a roof over my house, I would choose a metal roof. Metal roofs look classy, sturdy, and colorful.
When it comes to how long a metal roof lasts, the material and the installation process are the two main factors determining the lifespan. A metal roof can last from 50 years up to 70 years.
The most customary metal roofing materials are aluminum, copper, zinc, and steel.
Copper and zinc belong to the most expensive roof category. If you are planning for an affordable yet durable metal roof, choose other choices.
Metal roofs last and look better but are more expensive than asphalt shingles.
They also require less maintenance and less care than asphalt shingles need to keep their appearance.
When a metal roof is getting old, you can repaint it to ensure it lasts as long as possible before needing replacement.
The slate roof is the most durable type of roof, which makes it a good lifetime investment.
Slate shingles can persist for more than 100 years. So, you won’t have to worry about replacing them as long as you keep them clean and well-maintained.
One of the benefits of installing slate roofs is that they are sturdy and fire-resistant.
In other words, a slate roof will stand up and protect you even in the most extreme weather conditions.
And since it’s fire resistant, you’ll have to pay less for your homeowners’ insurance.
In addition, slate shingles offer excellent insulation properties. Thus, it will keep your home interior warm during cold winter months and fresh indoors when the temperature rises outside!
One of the downsides of installing a slate roof is its weight!
That’s right!
Since slate is a sedimentary rock, it’s the heavy weight of all roofs. So, you can only install it on houses with sturdy roof framing.
The other con of installing slate shingles is that not all roofing contractors can install them.
So, slate roofs are more expensive than other roof types in all aspects. Yet, they have the upper hand for their longevity, uniqueness, and insulating properties.
If you’re considering replacing your roof, then it’s essential to research what kind of roof lasts longer.
You can also find out how long your current roof will last before it needs replacement.
In that way, you’ll plan for its replacement since a new roof is one of the most expensive elements of a house.
If you want a better understanding of the lifespan of various types of roofs, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more than glad to provide more info!
Stay tuned for more helpful content like this. Till next time!
