Why Is Weather A Factor In The Lifespan Of A Roofing System In General
The majority of roofing systems will wear out over time and need to be replaced. The average lifespan of a roof in Florida is between 10 and 30 years .
This means that most roofs will need to be repaired or replaced by then.
A leak can begin slowly, especially when you dont notice it. But because roofs tend to be covered and out of sight, it can be harder to find.
Cracks begin as small pinholes and slowly expand over time. A crack could expand and contract with the seasons or become long and deep if left unattended for too long.
Its important that homeowners regularly inspect their roofs for damage during Floridas rainy season.
In other words, its best not to wait until a roof starts leaking to call in a professional!
If you do end up with a leaky roof, then contact your local roofer to service your roof right away.
How Long Do Tile Roofs Last in Florida
With the climate of Florida, tile roofs that are expected to last for 50 years will reach their targeted lifespan if well-maintained.
How Long Does a Shingle Roof Last in Florida
The average life expectancy of a shingle roof in Florida is 20 years.
This can be shortened by exposure to the elements, such as hurricanes and high winds however, most roofs last longer than this.
How Long Does a Metal Roof Last in Florida
The average metal roof in Florida has a lifespan of about 40-50 years.
However, standing seam roofs cost more and last up to 70 years with proper care and may be more expensive.
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How To Extend The Life Of Your Roof Shingles
Since it can be a large investment to replace your roof, it pays to know how to make your roof last longer. Other than choosing the right type of roof shingles for your climate and not just for budget or aesthetics, here are five ways to extend the life of your shingles:
Tile Roof Design For Longevity
As previously mentioned, tile roofs are heavier, stronger, and are not affected by sun rays. This makes tiles a better roof for hurricane resistance, hail, and overall weather exposure.
Tile roofs are also shingled, meaning the tiles overlap each other so water never enters the top of the tile.
However, while shingles are made to be waterproof, tiles are not. There are many cracks in tiles which allow small amounts of water to get underneath.
Water entry below the tiles is by design, though. We just need to ensure water entry is kept to a minimum.
Furthermore, we need to ensure our roof underlayment is in good condition. The more we can protect the underlayment and complete a great install of the underlayment the better!
How do we protect the underlayment?
- Keep a watchful eye for roof leaks.
- Climb in the attic if you are capable.
- Keep up with the roof maintenance mentioned above.
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Other Variables Affecting Lifespan
Of course, there are additional variables affecting the lifespan. If you live in an area with all four seasons or a more extreme climate, your roof will have a shorter lifespan. Thats because your roof takes most of the impact from snow, rain, wind, and storms, and that weather damages it over time.
Two other important factors affecting roof life expectancy are regular roof maintenance and installation. If you take care of your roof by keeping it clear and clean and regularly addressing issues, it will last longer. As for installation, you need to have your roof properly installed in order to get the most years from it.
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.
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Metal Roof Average Lifespan
Standing-seam metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular, especially in areas prone to wildfire. Metals used in this type of roofing include steel and aluminum, as well as copper and zinc. Metal roofs are highly durable and can be very low-maintenance when professionally installed.
The average metal roof lifespan is 30 to 50 years.
Factors That May Influence The Lifespan Of A Roof
There are many other factors that can either increase or decrease the lifespan of your roof. These include:
- Ventilation Effective ventilation will keep your loft cool. This prevents snow and ice from melting on your roof, which in turn prevents the formation of harmful ice dams.
- Roof colour A darker roof will absorb more heat than a lighter roof. Over time, excess heat can wear your roof down.
- Location Your roof will deteriorate quicker if located in an area with heavy snowfall.
- Installation Professional installation can add years to the lifespan of your roof. Incorrect or poor installation will likely lead to problems that need regular roof repairs. Skilled craftsmen will use techniques such as clean roofing, which involves the complete removal of shingles and other roofing components.
The team at TCK Roofing have over 50 years of experience installing, maintaining and repairing a wide range of roofs. Our high standards of work and attention to detail can add years onto your roof. To enquire about our service, get in touch with our team today. We serve customers in Watford, Rickmansworth, Harrow, Pinner, Greater London and Hertfordshire.
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What Factors Impact How Long Your Roof Lasts
- Quality of the installation workmanship – A poor quality installation will shorten your roofs lifespan.
- Environmental conditions – Exposure to high winds, extreme temperatures, and falling debris can decrease how long your roof lasts.
- The quality of materials used – Cheaper materials wont cost as much upfront but will have to be replaced more often than other expensive roofing materials.
- The type of roofing material used – Each roofing material has different durability, making them last longer or shorter in different conditions.
While there are several factors that impact how long your roof lasts, your roof’s lifespan most heavily depends on the materials used. Let’s take a closer look at the various roof types and how long each of them lasts.
When To Replace It
Shingles make it easy to tell if it needs replacement. If your shingles are curling or missing, it might be time to replace them. The same can be said if youre finding granules in your gutter.
A sagging roof is a telltale sign that you need a new one. This typically indicates a structural problem. When it comes to structural problems, its better to address them right away before they become worse and more expensive to fix.
Finally, if it is more than 25 years old and its made of shingles, then its probably time to think about a replacement.
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What Is The Average Lifespan Of Premium Shingles
Like architectural shingles or dimensional shingles, premium asphalt shingles can withstand around 110 MPH to 130 MPH of wind uplift depending on how they are installed.
The difference between the two types of shingles is that premium shingles are generally more luxurious in appearance and are usually installed on high-end homes.
Premium shingles last from 20 to 30 years on average.
Adding a desirable roof shingle color can also add to the appeal and value of your property as well.
Professional Roofing Contractor For Your Long Life Roof
Whether its asphalt shingles, a cedar shake roof or anything in between, the contractor you choose to install it factors heavily in how long that roof system will protect your property. At VIS Exterior, weve earned a reputation for complete dedication to customer service. Our experience installing roofing systems is what gives our clients the confidence to select VIS, but its the results of the work that has them referring us to their friends and family. Contact us and lets talk about your roofing project and why were the contractor you need.
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Do You Get Annual Roof Maintenance
Debris sitting on your roof will keep it wet. When your shingles stay saturated its not allowing them to perform their main function, keeping you dry. This makes getting annual roof maintenance one of the most important factors to ensure you get the most life out of your roof.
Its important to keep debris off the roof, out of the valleys, and off the gutter line. When you have annual roof maintenance the common roof problems are caught before they can cause too much damage.
To learn more about how crucial roof maintenance is to the life of your roof, check out this article on the importance of roof maintenance.
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 Long Do Roofs Last
Your roofs life depends greatly on the type of material is installed, who installed it, and how well you have cared for your roof during its lifetime. In general terms, roofs last a certain amount of time based on the type of shingle used: composition shingle roofs can last 20-30 years, cedar roofs can last 25-50 years, and heavy laminate roofs can last up to 50 years.
Composite And Rubber Shingles
Expect 20 to 50 years of durability. We recommend fully synthetic options to get the most years from these roofing options.
Composite shingles are made from up to 75% recycled material including plastic, asphalt, recycled tires, fiberglass, and cellulose typically in the form of wood fibers.
Essential to the longevity of composite and rubberized shingles is their ability to stand up to any weather condition, including winds over 200 mph. large hail will not damage them, and they are fire and rot resistant.
Annual inspection, cleaning and repairs-as-needed will add to the life of the roof, but you could have guessed that!
When to Replace a Composite Roof
Missing, raised, cracked, or bulging tiles are signs that replacement is necessary.
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Architectural And Luxury Asphalt Shingles
Although architectural and luxury shingles are also dimensional shingles, they are made with better quality, and are thus more expensive. These shingles are usually 2-3 times thicker than regular asphalt shingles and are heavier, thicker, and coated with more UV and water-resistant seals. Most architectural shingles last between 30-50 years with proper maintenance and come with lifetime limited warranties.
Length Of Roofing Warranties
The warranty periods given in the table are for typical manufacturers material warranties. A material warranty only covers the performance of the roofing material itself .
The initial workmanship of the roof installation and the performance of other parts of the roof assembly, including the roof deck and any other components not produced by that manufacturer, will not be covered by the manufacturers warranty.
Those things will be covered by the roofing contractors workmanship guarantee if they are covered at all.
Contractors workmanship guarantees last for a much shorter period of time, usually 1 5 years.
Many manufacturers have recently changed their warranties to limited lifetime warranties, especially for high-end asphalt shingles.
If you read the fine print, however, youll see that the coverage becomes prorated after 10 25 years. This means that the manufacturer starts to guarantee less than the full replacement value of the roofing material at that point, and progressively less and less as time goes by.
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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.
Fix Problems As They Occur
Roofing problems do not go away, but rather they only get progressively worse. So, repair the roof before small issues turn into costly repairs. For instance, if you see a few shingles missing on the roof, contact a roofing contractor to replace them. One missing shingle can lead to thousands of dollars in leak repairs.
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How The Florida Climate Can Damage Your Roof
When it comes to the structural stability of your home, the Florida climate is not forgiving. Several elements of Florida weather can affect the longevity of your roof.
Hurricanes/tropical storms Hot temperatures Hail
Hurricane damage can happen quickly or over time. A hurricane can blow a roof off a house or cause damage through falling trees or flying debris in some cases. However, a hurricane can also weaken a roof without tearing it off, making it more vulnerable to the Florida climate over time. For instance, high winds and heavy rains can cause some roof parts to loosen, allowing air and water into the attic.
Sea spray can have an impact on almost any type of roof over time. Sea spray contains a high concentration of salt, which can corrode a roof over a long period. Fortunately, manufacturers now engineer asphalt shingle and metal roofs that are resistant to salt spray. Metal roofs are reinforced with a weather-proof coating that prevents salt spray from invading the roofing system.
Slate Roof Average Lifespan
Slate is a type of natural stone used for roofing. Unlike clay or concrete tiles, slate roof tiles are made exclusively of quarried and hewn stone pieces, without any processing or fillers. Slate is one of the most difficult roofing materials to install, making it more expensive to install or replace.
However, slate is also considered the most durable of all roofing materials. If properly maintained, a slate roof could last the entire lifespan of your home.
The average lifespan of a slate roof is 100 years or longer depending on maintenance.
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Factors That Determine Roof Lifespan
There are many factors that go into predicting the length of the useful service life of a roof.
The type of roofing material selected for the roof will set a general limit on the roofs life expectancy. Some materials simply last longer than others, and all materials have their own design life expectancy. The quality of the materials and the reliability of the manufacturer is also very important when it comes to actually reaching that design life expectancy.
Workmanship, or the quality of the installation, plays a huge part in the life expectancy of a roof system. Roofs that are installed improperly have been known to fail immediately after installation. Seam failure, massive leaking, catastrophic wind blow-off, etc. Even if the workmanship is slightly subpar, the lifespan of the roof will very likely be shorter than it should be as needless problems develop over the life of the roof.
The local environment that the roof will have to endure is also a big piece of it. Roofing materials in coastal regions, with high levels of corrosive environmental salt, tend to deteriorate faster, for instance.
Many types of roof dont perform well in deserts, with the continual barrage of UV rays.
The use of proper fasteners and other accessories is crucial to long-term roof performance.
An all-too-common reason for the premature failure of tile roofs, for instance, is the use of low-quality fasteners and battens, which fail long before the tiles themselves would have.
Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of Metal Roofs In Florida
- Maintenance Remember that metal does not expand and contract in heat like asphalt, so you should avoid using cleaners or solvents on your roof.
- Also make sure to pick up any leaves or debris which build up over time!
- Weather Resistance High winds can actually cause harm to roofs built with less durable materials because they are not light-weight.
- Metal is designed to reflect heat, so its the most durable roofing option for Florida.
- New Construction If you just had your home built and are installing a new roof, then you should know that metal is actually more efficient during this time than asphalt.
- This is because asphalt shingles can lose their strong adhesive qualities in high temperatures which will cause them to detach from the roof.
- Installation There are two different types of metal roofs: nail down and standing seam.
- Nail roofs can be repaired easily but they tend to lose their luster over time as the nails corrode and rust.
- Standing seams come in panels which interlock with one another, making them more durable.
- Sunlight You probably already knew that too much sun can damage asphalt shingles, but did you know it also affects metal roofs?
- A common misconception about metal is that it conducts heat.
- However, it actually reflects sunlight which is why its so good for roofs in Florida.
- Tear-off Metal does not tear off easily, but if you do need to replace your roof then roofers will usually recommend tearing off the old one and starting from scratch.
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