Whether you are purchasing a new property or are looking to make a few changes to your current home, especially if you are planning to get a new roof for your home, you are likely thinking about how long your current roof has lasted.
How old is your roof?
How old is the roof of the home you are looking to buy?
How long is a roof supposed to last?
These are probably just a few questions that are popping into your head. Finding the age of a roof can be difficult and determining how long a roof can last is an endeavor that won’t always give you accurate results. In truth, the actual longevity of a roof cannot be fixed since this is always dependent on several external factors that no one can control. Even when you constantly clean, maintain, and repair your roof, it will eventually deteriorate to the point of no return.
Despite the many things that affect your roof’s lifespan, the main factor is definitely the type of material that you decide to use. Second to this is the quality of installation. Even when you’ve used the best and most durable materials in the market, your roof might not even last a full year if it is not installed properly. Which is why having a team of licensed and skilled roofing contractors to work on your property is essential, especially if you want your roof to last.
When you get the right team to work on your new roof, here’s what you need to know about expected lifespans depending on the actual roofing material used.
Asphalt shingles are a common roofing option that have an expected lifespan of around 20 years. While most asphalt shingles will last for a bit over 2 decades, this can also depend on the specific kind of asphalt shingle. The basic type of asphalt shingle is known as the 3-tab shingles, which is the cheapest option often used on sloped roofing systems. These shingles, however, typically only last 10 or 20 years. A major downside to using 3-tab asphalt shingles is that this type of material easily forms cracks when exposed to direct light and heat.
Lastly, premium shingles are the higher end asphalt shingles that have been made specifically for premium style homes. Compared to both architectural and 3-tab shingles, premium shingles are thicker and have an even longer lifespan which stretches up to 30 years. However, whether you have 3-tab, architectural, or premium shingles on your roof, these need to be replaced when you start seeing signs of damage, which include granule loss, curling up, chipping off, or whole shingles missing from your roof.
Luckily, with asphalt shingles, you can do quick partial replacements and repairs when only specific areas on your roof sustain damage. But, eventually, when your roof has reached the peak of its lifespan, a full tear off replacement will be necessary.
While metal roofs have long been used for commercial properties, residential homes have just recently been using metal roofing alternatives. There are various metal roofing options available. However, the most commonly used metal roofing system is the standing seam panel, which can stay strong for the next 30 or even 50 years if installed and maintained properly. The actual lifespan will depend on the fasteners, metal thickness, and roof profile.
Another type of metal roofing material is the use of metal shingles. When compared to the installation of standing seams, metal shingles are a more cost-effective option. However, another even more affordable material is the use of ribbed metal panels. Even though this is cheaper, ribbed metal panels can still last a good 30 to 50 years.
For all types of metal roofing, the major signs that you need to replace the structure are when parts become discolored or when there are clear signs of the metal chipping away or paint peeling off some areas. When you experience major roof leaking, there is probably severe damage, which means you’ll have to replace the entire roof or work on some major repairs in a certain part of your roofing.
Another roofing material that you can usually see on residential properties are cedar shingles and shakes. These materials are premium options that are often used in homes by the beach or properties that have a cape cod style. Shakes can last up to 35 years while Cedar shingles can last up to 40 years.
While some homeowners avoid looking at slate roofs because of the hefty price tags, this roofing material is actually a premium option that can last a full century if quality materials are used and proper installation procedures are followed. Even the cheapest slate roofing Randolph NJ can cost more than most asphalt or metal roofs, but can also last twice as long, reaching a lifespan of at least 50 years.
You can give us a ring or reach us via our contact form by clicking here.
Contact Us