How To Tell If You Need A New Roof
Do you need a new roof?
If your roof is older than 20 to 25 years or if youve recently been subject to a major disaster, then you likely need to look into replacing your roof or at least have it inspected so you can get a good idea of its current condition and when you might be likely to need to get it fixed, repaired, or even completely replaced.
Also, be aware that if your roof was installed over an existing roof the current roof may or may not be properly ventilated, so you will want to look into that as well ensuring the multiple layers are all sound and solid and repaired properly.
If your roof has many layers that have built up over the years, you may want to consider replacing it entirely.
Roof Life Expectancy In Florida
Unfortunately, roofs have a shorter life expectancy in Florida than anywhere else in the U.S. Part of the price we pay for warm weather and proximity to beaches is wear and tear on our roofs from extreme weather conditions.
Hurricane level winds, frequent rain storms during the summer, and extreme high temperatures all take a toll of the life expectancy of a roof. In Florida, a 3-tab asphalt shingle roof lasts about 10 to 15 years. An architectural shingle roof in Florida is likely to last closer to 15 to 20 years.
Tingling Pain Or Numbness
During the first stage of shingles, before anything appears on your skin, a particular area of your body may begin to feel different. “When a shingles outbreak is starting, you may feel itching, burning, or pain,” Kim says. Often you will feel this on only one side of your body.
The initial signs of shingles may feel different for each person. In some cases, shingles can cause intense sensitivity, making it painful to even wear clothes over your skin, while in other cases, your skin may feel numb.
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Wood Shingles & Wood Shakes
Wood shingles are made with a machine and are tapered using a saw. Wood shakes are made by hand and are not tapered, giving them a more textured appearance than wood shingles. You can expect the wood shingles to last 25-40 years with a 20 year warranty. Wood shakes last slightly longer with a life expectancy between 30-40 years that comes with a 25 year warranty.
Early Failure Of Asphalt Shingles
Its important to talk about a major issue homeowners are seeing these days with asphalt shingles. A few decades ago, manufactured shingles were much heavier due to the percentage of asphalt contained within them. Nowadays however, a lot of the asphalt in the shingles has been replaced with crushed limestone filler. This makes the shingles much lighter in weight and much less effective, even though the advertised warranty has jumped from around 30 years, to lifetime warranties.
This is a well-documented problem with even Bob Vila speaking out about it. Class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of many homeowners across the country who have had their asphalt-shingle roof fail in as few as 6 years after installation.
Cost-cutting on the part of the shingle manufacturers has caused a variety of failures, including blistering, buckling, and leaking. These are expensive fixes and when homeowners turned to their warranty, they were shocked to realize the coverage only replaces the shingles themselves and doesnt cover the labor costs of replacing the roof , and it doesnt cover damages caused by the failures either.
If you have an asphalt shingle roof that is showing signs of a defect well before the warranty is up, you may be the victim of shoddy manufacturing. To mitigate the issue and keep your costs down, heres what you can do:
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How Long Does A Metal Roof Last
Metal roofing can last for decades, which is one reason that it is popular in many areas.
In addition, the look of a copper or zinc roof can be aesthetically pleasing and add value to your home due to its appearance and longevity.
After all, what potential buyer wouldnt be interested in a beautiful roof that can last for decades?
More importantly, a metal roof can last for 50 years or even longer if they are well cared for and no major disasters or other problems occur.
In fact, copper and zinc roofing can last for well over five decades and can be fully functional for 100 years or longer, which might make these types of metal roof costs well worth the investment if they are the right style and fit for your home and your style preferences.
Metal roofs have become increasingly common due to their longevity as well as their energy efficiency, since they can often keep your property cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Standing seam roofing systems are the most common types of metal roofing systems that youll see in most residential neighborhoods, and they can last anywhere from 30 to 50 years to over 100 years depending on the material, construction techniques, and the location of the property itself.
Standing seam roofs can be crafted from a variety of materials including stainless steel, copper, titanium, and zinc.
Another affordable option for metal roofing is ribbed metal panels, which offer many of the same benefits but work well on steeper or gabled roofs.
How Long Does A Roof Last In Georgia
There isn’t anexact answer for how long your roof should last it can be anywhere between 15to 100 years depending on many different factors such as the roofing material.
Since the typeof material the roof is made with primarily affects its lifespan, here is ananswer to the question, “How long should a roof last?” for each roof type.
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Things That Reduce A Roofs Longevity
Ask long-term residents of northern NJ neighborhoods How long does a roof last? and youll get very different answers. One roof might protect a home for 50 years, while another one might only last ten years. There are many reasons for this disparity. Lets look at some of the things that shorten the lifespan of a residential roof in New Jersey.
Exposed Fastener Metal Panels
Metal Sales exposed fastener panel catalog is unmatched-there are 39 panels with varying designs, sizes, and finishes. Whether you want to complete a residential, commercial, or agricultural project, you are spoilt for choice.
The Pro-Panel II® and Classic Rib® are suited for barns, utility buildings, storage sheds, and light commercial applications. These can go over solid decking or open framing. But if you are looking for panels that can withstand heavy loads and cover longer distances, the V-Line 32 and the 7/8 inch Corrugated Roof are great choices.
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Lifespan Of Different Types Of Roofs
Many roof types such as 3-tab shingles can last between 15 and 20 years, while some other types of roofs can last upwards of 70 years, as long as they remain safe from severe storms. Several factors can affect the longevity of your roof, including weather, proper installation, and of course, the roofing material.
Here are the most common roofing material types and their estimated lifespans:
Flat Roof Lifespans Explored
If youre a business owner or you manage a facility, you dread the thought of roof replacement. Major roof work is one of the largest capital expenses that come with owning a building and thats why flat roof lifespan is so important. After all, the longer the lifespan, the longer youll go without making a huge payment to keep it watertight.
As expert commercial roofers, one of the most common questions we hear is, How long does a flat roof last? That answer depends entirely on the type of roof. From EPDM to metal roofs, at Pequea Valley Exteriors, we handle it all. Learn about the lifespan for your flat roof and discover our restoration solution that adds decades to almost any roof.
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Has Your Roof Reached Its Life Expectancy
The answer to how long does a roof last? doesnt have a black and white answer. The type of roofing material gives you a pretty good idea of how long it will last. But the environment in which you live, the maintenance schedule you keep, and the installation of it will impact the roof lifespan.
If it has reached the end of its life, then its time to call the professionals. Contact us to get started.
The Average Lifespan Of A Roof
So how long do roofs last in general and how long will your roof last?
As weve covered in this article, the length of time that your roof will last depends on the materials used, the quality of the installation, and any major natural disasters, catastrophes, or accidents that may have occurred during the lifetime of the roof.
You can make your roof last longer by getting regular inspections and performing proper maintenance , but if you have roof leaks that cannot be easily repaired, lots of broken, curled, torn, or missing shingles, or other serious damage, it may be time to get your roof replaced.
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How To Fix Common Roof Issues
Like many homeowners, you may be wondering, Can I fix a roof? It may be out of the question if your roof is too steeply pitched or otherwise too risky to navigate safely without the right training and experience. However, there are many instances in which even an unskilled layperson can perform effective, inexpensive repairs on the roof:
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Stone Coated Roofing Tiles
One popular option for tile roofing is stone coated steel tiles, which are lightweight but also strong enough to withstand wind uplifts of 110 MPH to 150 MPH, making them an excellent option for hurricane prone areas like Florida, the Carolinas, and the Gulf Coast.
Note that these tiles can be prone to rust, so if there is any discoloration, chipping, or peeling paint or excessive leaks that dont respond to basic repairs you may need to replace your stone coated steel tile roof.
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What Happens If You Dont Replace Your Roof When Its Called For
There are a lot of problems that can occur if you dont replace your roof when it needs to be done, or even if you dont keep up with regular roof maintenance.
In the best case scenario, there will be water damage to your home and property if the roof leaks worst case, the entire roof collapses and destroys your belongings and may even put you and your family in danger.
How Often Does A Roof Need To Be Replaced
Lets start with the good news. Roofs in general have a good long lifespan. The other side of the coin, of course, is that the roof of your home may already have been in place for many years.
The life expectancy of a roof varies according to the material from which it is made so heres what you need to know for each type.
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Shingles Curling & Blistering On The Shingles
Curling and blistering are closely related and are both caused by not having enough asphalt applied to the shingle. This is too typical of shingles produced to lower specs to meet prices guidelines which is why we are very selective about roofing materials. The sun dries the shingle out causing curls, blisters, and granule loss. Leaks are exceptionally quick to take advantage of this situation.
What Can Shorten Your Roofs Lifespan
Here are key factors that determine how often your roof may need to be replaced:
- Weather: Florida faces extreme heat and humidity as well as tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season. The roof of your house faces a healthy dose of salt spray in addition to humidity, heat, and high winds. These extreme weather conditions cause roofing materials to loosen or crack, damaging the structural integrity of your roof.
- Exposure to UV Rays: Prolonged exposure to extreme heat creates thermal shocks to the roofing materials, causing expansion and contraction. This causes the material to crack, tear, or curl causing roof replacement to be sooner than expected.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting your roof and leaving problems unaddressed can intensify problems and accelerate wear and tear. For instance, leaks and mold can take years off your roof’s service life. What’s more, ignoring specific maintenance duties can cause the warranty to lapse and material to degrade faster.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Bad ventilation and inadequate insulation can cause warm, moist air to build up and cause rotting on your roof.
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Wood Shakes And Shingles
Usually, a wooden shingle roof lasts for about 30 years with warranties that run up to 30 years. In order for wood shingles and shake roofs to last, however, you need to perform regular maintenance. Wooden roof upkeep includes yearly cleanings, as well as repainting or staining every 5 years.
Wooden shakes can last for decades if properly maintained. Image source: Westshore Roofing
The type of wood that you use will also determine how long the roof will last. Cedar shakes, for example, last longer than other types of wooden shingles because cedar is rot and insect-resistant. Cedar shakes are also able to withstand winds up to 245 miles per hour, which makes them a popular type of roofing material for coastal homes.
Signs you need a wooden roof replacement: Splitting shingles, rotting shingles, pest damage, mold, and/or algae growth.
What Are The Weather Conditions In Your Area
Every roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. The amount of extreme weather your area gets determines how fast the wear and tear affect your asphalt roof.
For example, if you live in an area that gets a lot of small hail, then your shingles will have granular loss a lot quicker. You wont be able to file an insurance claim but itll definitely shorten your asphalt roofs life.
Theres nothing you can do about the weather. But be aware the weather of your area will factor into the life of your roof.
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Average Roof Lifespan How Long Does A Roof Last
If you are in the process of buying a new home, you probably want to know the age of the roof and how much longer it will last. Similarly, if youve lived in your home for a while, you are probably also wondering about the current condition of the roof and whether its time to consider some viable replacement options.
This guide outlines the expected lifespans of most popular roofing systems for homes. Print it out and use it to assess the life expectancy of any roof when buying a new home or planning for future roof replacement needs in your own home.
Right Off the Bat: A typical asphalt shingle roof will normally last anywhere from 15 to 25 years before requiring a replacement.
That said, there are several different kinds of asphalt shingles, as well as other roofing materials to consider when estimating longevity of a particular roofing system. Lets get started.
Average Lifespans for Most Popular Residential Roof Systems:
How Long Does A Clay Tile Roof Last
They are common in residential areas and big buildings. Clay tile roofs are natural, made from clay soil, and compressed under high pressure and temperature to produce strong to hard tiles. Clay tile manufacturers provide a warrant of something between 30 years and a lifetime.
When well maintained, clay tiles can hit a century. The roof is not required to be so steep because they are fixed one after the other.
Cleaning them regularly removes molds, debris, and other plants that germinate over the roof from wind-pollinated flowers.
In Polar Regions, clay tile roofing is not suitable because freezing and thawing drastically reduce life expectancy. However, the tiles can be sealed with plastic papers to avoid contact with ice and dew.
Cracked tiles debris, leakages, or roots penetrate the roofing alert that immediate replacement is required.
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How Long Does A Wood Roof Last
Whether planning to build a new home, renovate or rent, examining the quality of the roof is a critical factor to consider. The quality of a roof is determined by the iron sheets used to construct it, the design, and the wood or metal used.
A roof will last for a long if it is renovated regularly.
The average lifespan of a wood roof is 30 years, but the period is depended on the environment the house is located, maintenance, and the quality of materials used in constructing the roof. Environmental factors such as wind, humidity, air pressure, and rain heavily influence the lifespan of a roof.
I will unravel the mystery behind the factors that facilitate the life of a roof, the best roofing materials, and the underlying conditions that a roof may or may not suit in a particular geographical area.
How To Handle A Leaky Roof
Upon realizing that you have a leaky roof, you might immediately think that a new roof is in order. However, depending on the age of the roof and on other factors, it is often possible to conduct DIY repairs that eliminate roof leaks and that extend the longevity of your roof by a considerable margin. One thing is for certain: Roof leaks need to be addressed as quickly as possible. The potential consequences of not doing so can be dire. Over time, even a very small leak can cause a litany of problems. These include things like damaged ceilings and interior walls mold growth damaged or destroyed insulation and rotted underboards, framing and sheathing.
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