How Long Can I Expect My Roof System to Last?

Owning a home is the most satisfying feeling, but ownership comes with some responsibilities. Keeping your home in pristine condition requires some physical factors to be taken care of, and the most crucial one is the roofing.

You have to keep a close check on your roof condition to determine when to opt for a roof replacement. We will be discussing the types of roof shingles available in the market, factors affecting the roofing, and how to help your roof last longer.

Factors Affecting the Life of a Roof

Here are some of the factors that affect roofing and determine whether you should go for roof replacement or not.

Aging

The most common factor is aging, and we all agree that nothing lasts forever. So now the question is, how long does your roof last? In general, a roof lasts about 30 years, and after that, you must opt for a roof replacement. But the actual life expectancy of a roof depends on various factors, including the types of roof shingles, roofing insulation, weather conditions, and much more.

Installation quality

If you hire poor roofing services from an unknown supplier, then be ready for a short roof lifespan. It is prudent to choose a professional roof installation company like True Quality Roofing to get the best installation job.

Weather situation

Extreme weather conditions put a dent in the health of your roof and should be kept in mind while installing a new roof or replacing an existing one.

Material quality

For best roofing, it is essential to go with the best quality roofing material. Cheap or low-quality material does not last long and thus forces you to replace your roof too soon.

Types of Roof Shingles

Different types of roof shingles have different life expectancies and thus must be chosen wisely.

Asphalt shingles

One of the most common roofing materials that are known for their durability and affordability is asphalt shingles. These shingles are made of fiberglass and asphalt sealant and are highly effective in protecting the roof against extreme weather conditions. Asphalt shingles generally last for 15 to 30 years, but the lifespan is contingent on multiple factors, including weather conditions, periodic maintenance, etc.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles come in various styles, thus offering multiple options for our customers.

• 3-tab shingles
• Dimensional shingles
• Premium shingles

3-tab shingles are the cheapest available shingles and usually last for 15 to 20 years. Dimensional or architectural shingles can stay put up to 30 years and thus they are a bit pricier. Then we have premium shingles, which are the most costly asphalt shingles available in the market. They come with a useful life between 25 to 40 years.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing offers premium quality roofing material that could last for 40 to 70 years. You can choose a metal roofing material like copper or zinc which can give your roof a life expectancy of more than 100 years.

Types of Metal Roofing

There are multiple options available when it comes to metal roofing, and each type offers different benefits.

Stand seam metal roofing

It provides a lifespan of more than 50 years and is renowned as the most commonly used metal roofing material. It offers amazing durability to withstand wind up to 100 miles per hour.

Ribbed metal

Lowering the cost gives us the ribbed metal panel installation option that is easier on the wallet and offers a life span of 25 to 50 years.

Stone-coated steel tiles

If you live in a neighborhood where hurricanes and tornados are the norm, you must opt for stone-coated steel tiles. It offers lasting durability and could last more than 50 years.

Wood shingles

Wood shingles are the type of roof shingles that require proper maintenance and care to keep them in pristine shape. These shakes and shingles can last up to 30 years and stay sturdy with proper cleaning and maintenance.

When it comes to wood shingles, the type of wood you use is of prime importance to determine how long a shingle roof lasts. For example, if you use cedar shakes, they will provide you resistance against rotting and insects. They are also reliable roofing materials as they can withstand winds up to 245 miles/hr. We don't see a lot of this roof type in Atlanta of course. Asphalt shingle roofs are king.

Clay Tile Roof

Clay tiles are considered highly durable roofing materials as they offer extensive resistance against fire, rotting, and extreme weather conditions. They usually last for more than 100 years and come with varying warranties from 30 years to a lifetime.

To enhance the life of a clay tile roof, you have to ensure proper regular cleaning and maintenance. If left unchecked, a clay tile roof tends to develop moss, mold, and algae, thus leading to roof leakages.

Clay tile roofs are not ideal for colder climates as the constant thawing and freezing can damage the roof. But if you still need a clay tile roof, you can use clay sealant to combat weather extremities.

Slate Tile Roof

Slate tile roofing has been crowned as the most durable roofing material because it can last more than 200 years. Slate tiles are suitable for extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, strong winds, and no maintenance. Slate can resist moisture, thus keeping your home leakage-free.

One drawback to using slate roofing is that the tiles are extremely heavy and thus can be installed ONLY after a professional inspection of the entire roofing system. A typical 100 sq. ft of slate can weigh up to 1000 lbs.

How long a roof lasts depends on multiple factors, including roof insulation, types of roof shingles, weather conditions, etc.! While deciding on the type of roof you need, it is advisable to get help from professional roofing services providers like True Quality Roofing.