How Often Should You Replace Your Roof
Sadly, an often ignored part of the house is the roof. Unless it starts to leak or break apart, you probably wont notice whats going on up there. However, regular inspection for potential problems is recommended twice a year according to the National Roofing Contractors Association.
If you are afraid of heights, see if a family member or friend can help. Otherwise, a local roofing contractor can conduct an inspection.
Look for:
- Loose, cracked or damaged shingles
- Missing shingles
- Signs of water damage or leaking
- Holes or dark spots
Hopefully, a bi-annual inspection will catch small problems before a leak develops or a larger section of the roof fails. It is important to maintain the roof and conduct regular visual checks. Better to pay for a small repair than deal with a roof collapse and extensive damage.
The underlying structure should last the lifespan of the house. However, depending on the materials used for the covering of the roof, a full replacement is necessary. Unless the roof is made of concrete, then it just needs inspections for cracks or other wear. Tile roofs are also very durable and rarely need a full replacement.
In general, this is the recommended replacement schedule based on the material used:
- Composition Shingles: 12-20 years
- Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years
- Metal Roofs: 50-75 years
If youre looking for a professional roof inspector, contact our roofing replacement contractors at RoofAdvisor today to ensure your roof performing at its peak!
How Long Does A Roof Last For
How long the roof on your house will last usually depends on three key factors:-
- The nature of the roofing material
- How well you look after your roof and the condition it is in
- Any significant environmental issues such as an exposed location the hostility of the weather and the constant exposure of the roof to such conditions will inevitably mean that there will be much more wear and tear over the years than for the same or a similar roof on a sheltered property in say, an urban setting
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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Keep Covered Know Your Roofs Life Span By Type
Okay, its quiz time. How long does an average asphalt shingle roof typically last? If you guessed 30 years, youre in the ballparkbut it all depends on the type of asphalt shingle. A very basic asphalt shingle, 3-tab style, lasts between 15 and 18 years. If your home has architectural-style asphalt shingles overhead, the durability jumps to between 24 and 30 years. The fact is, predicting a roofs life span depends on a number of important factors besides shingle type:
- Amount of sun exposure
- Wide temperature variations and severe weather
- Roof colour
- Overall slope
- Two-layered roofing
- Nearby trees
- Installation quality
- Quality of attic ventilation
- Roofing materials
How to Choose Your Homes Lid without Flipping Yours
Choosing the right roofing materials matters. If you want your roof to outlast any of the elements listed above and keep frustration to a minimum, choose a contractor who uses superior roofing materials. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your roof:
- Asphalt shingles last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on type
- Metal shingles last between 30 and 45 years
- Concrete tile lasts 35 to 50 years
- Rubber shingles last 10-16 years
- Cedar shingles and shakes last anywhere from 30 to 50 years
Prolong the life of your roof by paying attention to the factors aboveand ask your Great Canadian contractor for more roofing tips today!
How Long Does A Roof Membrane Last
If your home or property has a flat or low-sloped roof, some of the other types of roofing systems that weve covered wont be suitable.
For these sorts of properties, a roofing membrane like EPDM is a common choice due to its low cost and easier flat roof repair.
However, it only lasts for 5 to 15 years and is prone to leakage due to its taped or glued seams.
PVC and TPO roof membranes are more costly but also more durable roofing membrane options.
These are single ply roofing membranes with hot welded air seams that allow them to last nearly twice as long as EPDM rubber but of course these types of membrane roofs are more expensive to install or purchase.
Keep in mind that if your property is situated in an area where hurricanes are likely, then you will want to invest in a fully-adhered membrane roofing system as opposed to a mechanically attached single ply membrane roof since those will be more likely to withstand the winds and water from a hurricane.
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Types Of Roofing Materials
What type of roofing material does your home have? This is the first question you must ask if you want to know when you need to think about replacing your roof. If you dont know and arent sure, you can call in an expert roof inspectorwhich you should anyway!
Having your roof inspected will extend its lifetime, and you can put off having it replaced in its entirety for a while longer. Also, you can check out your roof for warning signs to see if it might be at the end of its lifespan, which well get to next.
What type of material is your roof comprised of? Composition shingles that make up a roof will last about 12-20 years, while asphalt, one of the most popular roofing materials, will last a little longer, about 15-30 years. Surprisingly, wood shingles last about 20-25 years, and finally, metal roofs hang around for 50-75 years.
Perhaps youre unsure of what material your roof is, but there is a way to check to see when the roof was replaced last. Real estate websites that once listed your home for sale, like Zillow or Realtor, often indicate specifications like the year when the roof was last updated.
Orif you can, ask the previous homeowner, or check the documents of your house sale to see if the information is listed there. Of course, a new roof is a major selling point for homeowners, and if it was replaced recently, this will be listed somewhere.
Your Asphalt Roof Fails Prematurely
Your roofing materials should live as long as the manufacturer specifies. However, there are cases when your roof fails prematurely and leads to a roof replacement well before you should need one.
Two of the common causes of premature roof failure are improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation.
When your roof wasnt installed using correct roofing techniques youre going to find shingles in your yard or even full sections sliding off your roof. If your attic wasnt properly ventilated then the damage from the trapped heat and cold will drastically shorten your roofs life.
Be aware, when your roof isnt properly ventilated or properly installed the manufacturers warranty on your roofing materials will be voided. This leaves you with only your contractors workmanship warranty to fall back on to replace your prematurely failed roof.
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How Long Does A Roof Last In Minnesota
Its safe to say that the primary function of roofing materials is to protect a house from the elements. Minnesota has a beautiful but varied climate. However, it does for a fact experience harsh winters and high winds which can contribute to a great deal of damage when it comes to its homes. So, how long is roofing in Minnesota supposed to last?
Well, a high-quality, well-maintained roof is meant to at least last up to twenty years. However, there are several deterring factors that tend to influence its lifespan considerably. Two major factors affecting the lifespan of your roof are the climate you live in and the type of roof shingles.
In terms of the material, the type of shingle used on your roof plays a big role in how long you can expect it to maintain its useful life. Depending on the type of shingle material, your roof can last anywhere from 10 years up to 100 years. For example, asphalt shingles, are the most common roof shingle used for residential buildings.
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How Long Do Architectural Shingles Or Dimensional Shingles Last
Architectural or dimensional asphalt shingles are thicker and more durable and therefore more suited to places with more extreme weather conditions.
That said, they are also more expensive but they do last between 15 to 25 years and can withstand wind uplift for up to 110 miles MPH, or even up to 130 MPH with specialized installation techniques and roof bracing.
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How Much Does A Roof Cost
Now you know how long the different roofing materials last. Whether you want to know how long your current roof will last or are trying to find the right material to invest in, knowing the lifespan of a roof is important.
However, theres one thing even more important to most homeowners than a roofs lifespan. This, of course, is the cost of a roof.
Pricing is always one of the biggest concerns homeowners have about their roofing project. Unfortunately, the roofing industry likes to avoid questions about cost.
You dont have to worry about that with us. Thats why we wrote another article breaking down the cost of the same 5 roofing materials we discussed in this article.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners in Nashville with the information they need to make the right decisions. While educating you is our main goal, you can also count on our attention to detail and high-quality workmanship your roofing project deserves.
A 30 Year Roof Will Last 30 Years Right
Wrong! 30 year shingles also known as laminated, dimensional or architectural shingles typically do not last 30 years. 20, 40, or 50 year shingle will not last their designated years either. It is a common misconception and a point of confusion for many homeowners. Thus, trying to make a responsible decision in a roofing system can become difficult. Lets look at a few areas to inform you and answer your question how long does a roof last?
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Cedar Shake Or Shingle Roofs
How long your cedar shake or shingle roof will last depends on several factors including:
- The grade or quality of your cedar shake shingles
- The kind of climate and weather you have in your region
- The installation
- The contractor you choose
Make sure to get your cedar shake shingle roof appropriately installed. If you get the correct installation and correctly maintain your cedar shake shingle roof, it may last up to about 30 years. Find a contractor that offers the best possible warranty. You can find contractors that provide lifetime warranties on cedar shake roofs.
So How Long Does It Actually Take To Replace A Roof
How long does it take to replace a roof on a small house. Echoing the house colors in a roof shingle a shade or two darker is an easy way to get a unified look. That would cost about £6,500 to install. A large detached house with several dormer windows and two chimney breasts would probably be in the region of £25,000 to £35,000.
A qualified littleton roofer can install a new roof in as little as two days. Therefore, the time it takes to replace gutters varies from property to property. Heres a detailed explanation of how long it would take to replace a roof.
But we can give little advice: Now that your roof is in disrepair, you need to replace it. However, you will probably want to have your roof checked out by professionals around the 15 year mark, especially if you have dealt with any kind of major weather issues.
Different weather conditions affect how long it will take to replace your roof and when to exchange it. The short answer is, it depends. The answer, however, is not a definitive one.
However, bear in mind that the ridge of a thatched roof needs replacement every 10 years or so. So, how long does a landlord have to fix a leaking roof? There are many constraints that one needs to consider while estimating the amount of time it takes to replace an entire roof.
Time constraints of replacing a roof. The size of your roof. The size and type of materials you use.
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How Long Does Built
Built-up roofing is most often used on low-pitch and flat roofs. They consist of a series of asphalt and ply sheet layers on top of a cover board and insulation and a final reflective cap sheet made of minerals or a covering of asphalt and gravel. Not only does this make for excellent waterproofing, but flat roofs usually stand up to hurricane winds.
Built-up roofs can last as long as 40 years and often come with warranties between 15 and 30 years. This life span is a little shorter than some other types of roofing materials, but built-up roofings is often one of the only options for flat roofs. Luckily, built-ups are easy to maintain and inexpensive, costing anywhere from $250 to $400 per square.
What To Consider When You Are Replacing A Roof
One important thing to consider when you are choosing a roofing system or purchasing a new property is the resistance of the roof to wind uplift, which is the suction effect created by wind forces as the air flows parallel to the surface of the roof.
When a gust of wind hits the side of a house or other building, some of that air moves upwards across the roof, creating a pressure differential that can blow off or damage shingles or tiles, or even entire sections of the roof altogether.
Roofing systems are rated based on the amount of wind uplift they can withstand measured in miles per hour.
If you live in a particularly windy area or one that is prone to tornadoes or hurricanes, youll want to ensure that you go for a higher rating for wind uplift to avoid a wind damage roof.
Youll also want to consider other factors before replacing your roof or purchasing a property the age of the roof, how many layers of shingles there are, and whether the roof is properly braced and ventilated.
A roof inspection performed by a professional can help you answer these questions and more, and you can also visually examine the roof yourself for curling or buckling shingles, missing shingles, damaged shingles, damage to the flashing or seals around the chimneys, skylights, or dormers, granules or debris in the gutters or around the ground near your home, and other signs of future problems.
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How Long Do Wood Shakes And Shingles Last
The life expectancy of a roof made from wood can be up to 30 or 40 years, depending on the type of wood. Its often cedar thats used because it is resistant to both rot and insects.
Regular maintenance of a wood roof is required for it to achieve the longest possible lifespan, including cleaning and staining.
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How Long My Current Roof Will Last Me
It isusually difficult to determine how long your current roof would last especiallyif you werent there when the roof was installed. Nevertheless, you candetermine how long it might last by monitoring and checking for signs of wearand damage.
Frequentchecks for shingle damage, thermal shocks, leaks and a general dingy would helpyou to determine when to change the roof and how fast you need to change it.
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Roof Tiles And Clay Tiles
Most roof tiles and clay roofs will last on average 50-60 years some longer but behind that average is a programme of annual maintenance and some other more substantial jobs every few years which are keeping that roof in tip-top condition. A roof that is ignored with gutters left overflowing and repairs unattended to, will not make the cut when it comes to the half century.
