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How Long Does An Asphalt Shingle Roof Last

Do You Get Annual Roof Maintenance

Asphalt-Shingle Cutting Guide

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 Does A Composite Roof Last

Composite shingles are made of recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof.

You can expect a composite roof to last around 40-50 years. The reason composite shingles are durable with a long lifespan is because of their impact rating.

For example, DaVinci Roofscapes shingles have a Class 4 impact rating, which is the highest rating possible. This high impact rating means they stand up well to anything that hits the shingles, including extreme weather, such as hail.

You can also walk on a composite roof without worrying about breaking them like you would with normal slate or cedar shakes. Because of this a composite roof is one of the most durable roofing materials on the market.

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

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How Long Can You Expect Your Asphalt Roof To Last

When investing in a new roof, you’re expecting to get as many years out of it as possible. This is especially true for an asphalt roof.

One of the most crucial questions customers ask is how long their asphalt roof will last. While a roofing contractor can say 25 or 30 years, you’re probably wondering if it’ll actually last that long.

Luckily, we’re here to help you understand the lifespan of your asphalt roof.

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been installing asphalt roofs in the Nashville area since 1990. We know what it takes to maximize the life of your roof with our workmanship and attention to detail.

The truth is, you should get pretty close to the manufacturers lifespan of your roofing materials. But there are a number of factors that ultimately determine how much life youll get out of your asphalt roof.

Rubber Shingles Vs Asphalt Shingles

How Long Do Asphalt Shingle Roofs Last Lynchburg VA

If the choice for your roof comes down to two options rubber vs asphalt shingles consider the following properties of both:

Durability

One of the main drawbacks of asphalt shingles is their relatively flimsy durability and fairly short lifespan. They arent a lifelong investment, and in most cases, need to be replaced after about 25 years.

In areas with poor weather, many asphalt roofs dont even last 10 years. By the time they reach this age, they will have already suffered many forms of damage, including discoloration, algae growth, and potential cracks.

Did You Know: Theres a difference between cracking and splitting in asphalt shingles. Cracking occurs as a result of loss of chemicals called volatiles, whereas splitting takes place due to expansions and contractions brought about by changes in temperature.

On the other hand, some rubber shingle models can exceed their usual 50-year warranty and last up to 75 years. Such a long lifespan is normally reserved for tougher materials such as metal, but rubber shingle producers have pulled off a long-lasting roof using just recyclable materials. Furthermore, rubber shingles dont dent, rust, or chip.

Cost-Effectiveness

In regards to pricing, asphalt shingles are the most affordable roofing solution on the market. However, they generally arent considered very cost-effective. This is due to routine repairs and replacements that can take place much sooner than the time period stated in their warranties.

Eco-Friendliness

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Wood Shake Shingle Roof

Wood shakes are a thicker material than wood shingles, and they can be expected to stand up better than wood shingles to weather and UV rays. They are not suitable for most DIYers to install, requiring professional installation. Like wood shingles, shakes may be restricted in regions where wildfires are a known hazard.

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.

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How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last

In the US, asphalt shingles are the most common roof material. Theyre expected to last somewhere between 15 and 25 years, but bear in mind that there are different types of asphalt shingles.

The cheapest three tab asphalt shingles are likely to have a lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. More expensive are architectural or dimensional shingles, but they could last up to around 25 years and can withstand more testing weather conditions. The most expensive premium versions could last up to 30 years and tolerate the highest maximum wind uplift.

How Long Do Architectural Shingles Or Dimensional Shingles Last

Adding Years to Shingle Roofs

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 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.

Evaluate Shingle Roof For Damage Before Retiring Them

Even if your roof shingles are old, it doesnt mean they need to be replaced. Take a look at them and see if theyre damaged. If the granules are missing or theres visible damage to the shingle itself, then its time for a new roof. But if theyre in good condition, you can probably get a few more years out of them.

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The Guide With All The Information You Need For A Roof Replacement

Now you know how often the 5 most popular roofing materials need to be replaced. After reading this article, you should know if it’s near the time or the right time to replace your roof.

If it is, there’s a lot you need to learn about going through the roof replacement process. You need to choose the right roofing material, know how much your replacement will cost, how to hire a great roofing contractor, and so much more.

Wouldn’t it be great if all this information was in one place? If you answered yes, then we have the guide for you.

With The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof, you’ll become one of the most informed homeowners in the roofing industry. Don’t go into the roof replacement blind, get your free guide now.

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been proud to offer Nashville and surrounding areas high-quality roofing services. We strive to give you and everyone we work with an experience rare in the roofing industry based on honesty, education, and strong workmanship.

Heres Your Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof to learn what you need to know about your upcoming roof replacement and to make all the right decisions.

Energy Efficient Fiberglass Roofing

How Long Does an Asphalt Roof Last?

Because fiberglass shingles contain less asphalt than organic mat-based shingles, and are easier to transport, they have a lower overall environmental impact. Fiberglass shingle manufacturers are also adopting energy-saving, cool-roof technology to help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the roof. Look for shingles with Energy Star ratings and you can significantly reduce the cost of cooling your home in the hotter months.

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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.

How Long Does A Slate Roof Last

Like a cedar shake roof, a slate roof is made primarily out of natural materials.

As long as your slate roof is properly installed and flashed properly, itll be the last roof you ever put on your home. Its hard to put an exact number on a slate roofs lifespan, but theres no reason it shouldnt last around 75 years or even close to 100.

We even like to say your grandkids wont have to worry about it. If youre looking for a forever material that wont need to be replaced in your lifetime, a slate roof is a great option.

Just like a cedar shake roof, theres no manufacturer warranty on the slate materials themselves if they fail prematurely.

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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.

The Life Expectancy Of Your Roof

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Having a roof inspection conducted during the standard due diligence stage that occurs before you buy a property is fairly standard, and dont hesitate to ask for concessions if the roof isnt up to code or has problems that could prove to be costly in the future.

If youve purchased a home or built a home before then you probably know that the roof might be one of the complicated and potentially expensive aspects of the purchase.

Youll want to know the age and condition of the roof that youre putting over your and your family or employees, along with any concerns or special requirements for the type of material and style of roof on the property.

Youll also want to understand the average lifespan of the type of roof you are buying or installing in your specific geographic area and its unique weather patterns.

And perhaps most importantly, youll want to get the roof inspected before buying a new home as well as having regular roof inspections performed to assess the current state of your roof.

For instance, asphalt shingle roofs tend to last around 20 to 25 years, while other types of roofing, like metal standing seam roofing, can last for 50 years or even longer, depending on your climate, type of property, and various other environmental factors including things like overhanging trees and the humidity percentage, amount of rainfall, or if you are prone to roof hail damage.

So, at this point, you might be asking how long does a new roof lasts?

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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.

Factors That Effect The Life Expectancy Of Your Shingles

Other damages that occur because of continuous water accumulation are algae and fungus growth as well as freezing and thawing cycles during colder months. With the expansion of water in cracks and slits due to freezing, the larger the openings will become and the more damage that will occur. Yet even further damage to shingles can happen with insufficient or poor attic ventilation. Proper ventilation will increase the life of shingles and other parts of a roof.

All of these various and possible damages with shingles and other parts of a roof are reasons why roofing experts recommend sloped or pitched roofs as they shed water better and cause fewer problems concerning accumulated water. Professionals also suggest utilizing lighter colored shingles in warmer climates as they absorb less heat and prolong the life of shingles.

Heres a list of conditions that affect roof longevity:

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Are Rubber Roof Shingles Worth It

Considering all these properties, its hard to think that rubber shingles arent some of the most dependable roofing solutions.

This is especially true if you live in a hurricane-prone area such as the Midwest. Rubber shingles can withstand winds of extreme speeds and huge hailstones.

Admittedly, the curb appeal of rubber roof shingles isnt ideal, but its safe to say that the pros convincingly outweigh the cons.

Choose either Enviroshake or Euroshield, and youll reap the benefits of your well-protected roofing for decades to come.

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Shingles Curling & Blistering On The Shingles

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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.

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What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Shingle Roof

  • Roofing
  • What is the Average Lifespan
  • The average lifespan of a shingle roof is based on a number of factors. Longevity depends on the climate of an area, the way the original installation was handled, and whether ongoing care and maintenance have been part of a regular routine. More importantly, the lifespan of a shingle roof is greatly affected by the overall materials used. Below youll find the average of each of the most commonly used materials:

  • Asphalt Shingles : 15 to 18 years

  • Asphalt Shingles : 24 to 30 years

  • Metal: 30 to 45 years

  • Concrete Tile: 35 to 50 years

  • Built-Up or Modified Bitumen: 10 to 16 years

  • EPDM :10 to 16 years

  • How Long Does A Shingle Roof Last

    A shingled roof can last for several decades, but typically asphalt shingle roofing systems last for around 15-25 years with proper care and maintenance.

    That said, there are several types of shingles that could be an option for your home or property, depending on your location, budget, and preferred style.

    The type of shingles and the material that they are made which make up your roof play the biggest role in how long it will last.

    For instance, asphalt shingles dont last as long as wooden or cedar shakes.

    Asphalt shingles tend to only last for 20 years, while wooden shingles, cedar shingles, or wooden or cedar shakes tend to last for much longer depending on your region, climate, and other elements such as overhanging trees or landscaping that might pose a problem.

    Fiber cement shingles and other composition shingles can last for around 20 to 30 years.

    The type of shingle roof that you have will affect how long your roof lasts as well as when you need to consider replacing shingles or get other repairs done or do them yourself, if you are fairly handy and comfortable climbing around on your roof.

    There are a variety of guides online for performing roof repairs, so if you are comfortable with DIY you can often fix or apply new shingles to your roof on your own.

    That said, always consult a roofing contractor or roofing company if you are unsure of what you need to do or are not comfortable with clambering around on your roof yourself.

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