And How Long Does A 30 Year Roof Really Last
The lifespan of a 30-year roof can be 30 years or 3 decades, or it can last for significantly less time if you experience a disaster like a fire, major hailstorm, tornado, or a hurricane.
Many roofing warranties may cover a roof for 20 or 30 years, depending on the location and type of roof, but youll want to always check the fine print and review your homeowners or property owners insurance policies as well, and ask any questions before you sign on the dotted line to buy a home or replace an existing roof.
If you are looking to purchase a property with an older roof , you may even see 50 year old shingles or roofing systems on the market and while you should always get a roof inspection before buying a new home or building, it is possible for some types of roofing to last that long.
Read on to learn more about the average life of various types of roofs, when you should get a roof inspection or consider repairing or even replacing your roof, and more
Signs You Need A New Roof
Have you noticed shingles cracking, buckling, or curling up?
If you witness these signs, you definitely want to look into a new roof or at least contact a roofing contractor for an assessment.
If your shingles are losing granules then you also want to look into replacing your roof.
Roof valleys or if your roof shingles are falling apart and missing in some areas are another sign that you should have your roof assessed by professional roofing contractors and possibly replaced.
Roof valleys or missing shingles in general can also be a sign that you need to replace your roof or at least do some serious repair work.
Can you get up on your roof and walk around and observe?
If the roof is spongy-feeling or if you start feeling like you are bouncing a bit when you are walking on it, then your roof might need to be replaced.
Do you see any granules missing if you have an asphalt shingle roof?
When your shingles are losing granules, then youll notice the loose granules around the base of your home, in your gutters, or scattered in your yard.
The shingles themselves might also appear to be discolored.
This is definitely a time to work with a roofing company to determine any problems with your roof and figure out whether you need repairs or a total roof replacement.
Replacing missing or damaged roof shingles can also be a DIY project if you are somewhat handy, but that depends on your own abilities, the type of roof you have, and your do-it-yourself skills.
Excessive Loss Of Granules
Granules are the tiny little stones on the surface of shingles that protect the asphalt underneath from damaging UV rays. Once enough of these granules are lost from the shingle, the asphalt will dry out and lose its ability to remain watertight. You might also notice a lot of these granules built up in your gutters.
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Shingle Type And Quality
Shingles come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and with additional features, like algae and fire resistance. While these things can affect how long shingles will last, a new roof usually lasts anywhere between 15-50 years. Now, thats a big range, right? Well, its because there are several kinds of asphalt shingles, including compositional shingles, dimensional shingles, asphalt shingles, 3-tab shingles, and so on.
What brings these shingles together is their life expectancy rating. You might be shopping around and see things like 30-year shingles or 50-year shingles, regardless of those shingles being laminate or asphalt or something else.
How To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Roof
To ensure the safety and longevity of your roof make sure to schedule roof maintenance and inspections on a regular basis. These inspections should be performed by roofing professionals or contractors. These professionals have the experience to identify issues that may not be clear to the untrained eye and will usually spot areas of concern before they become a problem. By regular checks and performing roof repairs, you can extend your roofs lifespan by many years.
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What Is The Life Expectancy Of 3 Tab Shingles
3 tab shingles are the most popular sort of shingles for sloped roofs, since they are comparably inexpensive, readily available in most areas, and can last for approximately 10 to 20 years.
One thing to keep in mind if youre considering a 3 tab shingle roof is that they tend to perform better in more temperate climates such as the east coast and midwest, so if you live in or are buying property somewhere with very cold winters or that is incredibly prone to major storms or blizzards, you might want to look at alternative options.
How Long Does A Cedar Shake Roof Last
Cedar roofing is a popular choice due to its elegant appearance and weathered look that tends to get better with age and the fact that it is rot-resistant and insect-resistant. Cedar shakes or cedar shingle roofs can last for several decades or even longer with regular care. Cedar shakes or cedar shingles can last for around 30 to 40 years depending on the climate, the presence of any overhanging trees or other vegetation that may cause problems, and the level of maintenance that you or your roofing contractors perform.
Cedar shakes or cedar shingles can last from 20 to 40 years with proper care and maintenance, and they can withstand wind uplift of up to 110 MPH.
When you start seeing cedar shingles or shakes cracking or peeling, then you know it is time to look into repairing or replacing your roof.
Cedar shakes, shingles, and other types of wood roof require regular upkeep to stay in good shape.
An annual roof inspection think of it as a yearly physical for your roof is necessary to check out its condition, replace any split or peeling shingles, and check for leaks.
Treating the wood with a preservative that can penetrate the wood every five years can help prolong the life and beauty of your cedar roofing.
Ask the contractors who have built or inspected your cedar roofing if you need to treat your cedar roof and set up a regular maintenance schedule if you want to ensure that your cedar shingles or shakes last as long as possible.
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How Do You Know If You Need A New Roof
At the end of the day, how long does a roof last? No matter what kind of material your roof is made from, the amount that it will last depends on a wide range of factors such as the type of roofing materials used, whether or not it was installed over other layers of roofing material as well as how it was originally built and installed in general, and the climate and region that your home or other property is located in.
Knowing when you need a new roof is an important part of being a homeowner, no matter what kind of roof you have. While various types of roofs have different lifespans, an asphalt or wood shingle roof, a slate roof, a metal roof, a tin roof, a tile roof, a composite roof, thatched roof, or any other kind of roof all need regular inspections and maintenance.
The Construction Of A Long Lasting Roof
All of these elements work together to result in a long lasting roof.
When you are choosing a roofing company or contractor to replace your roof or install one on a new house, understand that the choice of various types of shingles, tiles, metal, or any other roofing material is only one aspect of crafting a roof with a long lifespan.
On the contrary, the shingles work with the flashing, underlayment, deck, and ventilation to help prolong the lifetime of your roof.
You should know that most roofing warranties include standards for installation and the types of underlayment, ventilation materials, and more that have to be used and all of this contributes to lengthening the lifespan of the roofing system.
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Which Way Does Your Asphalt Roof Face
You probably dont think the direction your home faces factors into the life of your asphalt roof. But the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets affects how long itll last.
If the roof faces east and west, each side gets an equal amount of direct sunlight as the sun comes up and goes over your home as the day goes on. If it faces south, then only the south side is going to receive direct sunlight on it all day and its also going to take all the wear and tear from the weather.
All of the outside elements are going to factor in the life of your asphalt roof. Talk to your contractor about how the direction your roof faces could affect how long itll last.
How Long Is A Roof Supposed To Last
In terms of how long your own roof will last, it is impossible to put an exact time on it. The lifespan on your roof will largely depend on when it was made/fitted, where you live, and the material it is made out of. Things such as the weather, the humidity, the levels of salt, and more can affect how long a roof will last, as well as freak accidents. However, generally speaking, a roof is designed to be replaced on average every 30 years. Roofs made out of slate and copper can last as long as 50 years, while those with fiber cement shingles only last half of that on average. Asphalt shingle/composition roofs are estimated to last around 20 years. Metal roofing, such as Colorbond, can last a lot longer. With regards to lifespan-cost ratio, Colorbond metal roofing is the most cost effective and efficient option on the market.
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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:
How To Extend The Life Span Of Your Roof
A roofing system tends to last longer if it’s given proper care and attention. Here are steps you can take to extend the life of your roof:
- Keep the gutters clean to prevent blockage and water damage to the boards.
- Remove leaves and debris from the roof. You can use a garden hose or leaf blower, but avoid pressure washing because it can cause damage. You can also trim nearby branches to reduce the number of leaves falling onto your roof and prevent damage from falling tree limbs.
- Ventilate the attic to allow humid air to escape, and prevent the growth of mold.
- Have your roof inspected by professionals annually to catch smaller problems. Address them immediately before they escalate into more serious issues.
If you need a roof inspection or suspect that you need a roof replacement, contact West Orange Roofing in Central Florida. With years of experience, we know how to get the job done right and provide the highest possible service for you and your family.
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Curled Shingles And Bald Spots
Shingles can curl in two ways cupping, when the edges turn upward, or clawing, when edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. Both could indicate that:
- Moisture has built up underneath the shingles due to poor ventilation in the attic
- Shingles were improperly installed
- Old age and wear from direct sunlight and weathering
Bald spots on your shingles mean that the granules have started to fall off and expose the asphalt underneath. Tip: look in your gutter for shingles granules. If rain carries them into your gutters, its likely your roof needs replacement.
Sign #: Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the material placed around objects that protrude from roofs, such as your chimney and roof vents. Flashing is designed to prevent the movement of water into your roof by averting the water away from seams where water runoff is greater. It is made up of thin pieces of impenetrable materials aluminium and galvanized steel are most popular.
Your flashing may be damaged as a result of the caulking material under the flashing drying out or deterioration of the material caused by weather and oxidation. Loose flashing is another common problem having loose flashing can cause water to seep, leak inside your walls and ceilings and cause extensive damage such as mould and mildew growth and rotted wood, which can cause irreparable damage to your roofing structure.
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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.
Why Choose B& m Roofing
When it comes to roof replacement, repair, or maintenance, you want a company that specializes in roofing.
Our Colorado-owned company has recently celebrated seventy years of dedicated service. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every job we do. No roofing project is too big or too small. Each new roof or repair receives our experience and expertise.
Our work extends from commercial projects like the Denver Coliseum and Coors field to residential new constructions and emergency repairs.
B& M Roofing started in Fort Collins in 1947 as a single-truck enterprise. We now provide meticulous service to thousands of customers annually. While weve grown bigger, we continue our commitment to total customer satisfaction we vowed to provide seventy years ago.
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What Is The Best Type Of Roof
The four best types of roofing for Australian homes are steel, zinc and copper cladding, bluestone and synthetic slate, and terracotta and concrete tiles. Steel roofing can last 30-40 years, looks good, can be painted, and can be easy to maintain. Zinc and copper cladding is durable and robust for specialist jobs. Bluestone roofs are seen as architectural classics. Finally, terracotta and concrete is a low-maintenance option, with the former lasting up to 25-30 years and the latter around 20. Colorbond and metal roofing can often last far longer.
Potential Signs That Your Roof May Need To Be Replaced:
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How Long Does A Composite Roof Last
As long as theyre installed correctly, you can expect to get around 40-50 years of life out of composite shingles. The reason composite shingles are durable is because of their impact rating.
How often should a composite roof be replaced?
Asphalt shingles and composite roofs are the most common materials and tend to also last the least amount of time before requiring a replacement. Fiber cement shingles will last a little longer at about 25 years. Wood shake roofs should last up to 30 years.
How long should a composition roof last? Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found. Climate and weather conditions, such as snow, hail and hurricanes, can cut the life span of all types of roofs.
How much does it cost to replace a composition roof?
The national average materials cost to install a composition roof is $0.99 per square foot, with a range between $0.82 to $1.17. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $3.02, coming in between $2.65 to $3.39. A typical 2000 square foot project costs $6,043.34, with a range of $5,307.04 to $6,779.64.
