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How Many Years Roof Last

What To Consider When You Are Replacing A Roof

How Long Does a Flat Roof Last?

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.

How Is Roof Life Determined By The Environment

The biggest factor in roof life expectancy is the climate that the roof encounters. Asphalt roofs can be affected by their surroundings, including sun exposure, temperature, humidity, and parasitic growth, as well as wind and hail damage.

Sunlight

The biggest enemy of asphalt shingles is the sun. If you look at an asphalt driveway, youll notice more cracks appearing around sunny areas than in sections covered by shade. As temperatures fluctuate, the oil retained within the asphalt is drawn to the surface, shrinking the material. This additional space allows for the formation of cracks. The same concept holds true with asphalt shingles, where granules come loose and imperfections begin to form along the surface of the shingle. Shingles on exposures that receive more sunlight have a tendency to wear out before those on other areas of the roof.

Algae, Moss, Leaves, and Lichen

Foliage and parasitic organisms will also reduce shingle life. Excessive shade and contact with adjacent foliage may encourage the growth of algae, moss, and lichen atop your shingles. Some of these elements can be managed with preventative maintenance by clearing any branches that may be coming into contact with the roof, and applying select anti-fungal agents may help halt shingle erosion.

Wind

Hail

How Long Does A Roof Last

One of the key factors that determine if you need a new roof is age. Now, we all know roofs dont last forever, but homeowners may be asking themselves: how long does a roof last?

Generally, you can expect your roof to last about 20 years. But, the actual lifespan of your roof depends on a number of things, including the type of roofing materials that were used as well as the environment.

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How What Is The Life Expectancy Of Stone Coated Roofing Tiles

Concrete tiles or clay tiles are another favorable roofing option, especially for higher end or luxury homes.

Clay tile roofs can last for 50 to 100 years and the more affordable concrete tile roofs can last for around 40 to 75 years, but keep in mind that they are heavier than other types of roofing systems so the underlying structure will need to be able to properly support them.

One thing to be aware of if you are considering installing clay or concrete roofing is that both clay tiles and concrete tiles can break off and become hazardous during a windstorm or tornado.

Clay tiles are particularly popular in the southwestern U.S. especially in that distinctive terra cotta shade due to their ability to keep things cool in hot desert weather.

Your Roof Is Turning Into A Greenhouse

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Vegetation on your roof does not necessarily indicate that it needs replacement. But it does indicate that it needs cleaning. Plant life may harm roofing materials and encourage other things to migrate. For example, creepy crawlies and other pests. You may clean your roof yourself using

But you can hire a local roof cleaning service.

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Professional Rubber Roof Installation

The first course of action for installing a rubber roof should be to call in a commercial roofing contractor. A contractor or roofer will have a litany of experience when it comes to installing these roofs, and the chance that something goes wrong will drop drastically.

If you insist on doing the work yourself, there are steps to follow to ensure that the job is done correctly and your rubber roof is installed properly.

Water Is A Silent Killer

As for why rain can do so much damage, it has a lot to do with how roofs are constructed. The shingles that most roofs are composed of are meant to handle that rain but everything underneath? Thats a more open question.

A roof constructed by professionals will have measures in place to make it a bit more resistant to rain, but at some point, even professionals will use wood in the construction of most roofs. Thats the real weak point of a roof.

If too much water can seep into your roof, it can start to damage that wood. If you have reason to suspect thats happening, its time to call a residential roofing services company .

The reason being that if rot sets into something of structural importance to your roof, it could collapse. Then youre looking at not only a roof replacement but weeks or months of related construction work.

This issue is why it is tough to estimate the exact lifespan of a roof. Different regions can have very different levels of moisture that a given roof is going to have to contend with.

It can be a good habit after any serious storm or hurricane to inspect your roof thoroughly for leakage or missing tiles. Even better would be to have a professional do it, even if youve already had an inspection that same year.

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How Long Do Tile Roofs Last In Florida

As tile roofs are used more often, they become vulnerable to water damage.

They cant last forever even if you use the best materials and hire professionals for installation.

The quality of your roofing material has a lot to do with how long it will stay in good condition before needing maintenance or repairs on an annual basis.

With the climate of Florida, tile roofs that are expected to last for 50 years will reach their targeted lifespan if well-maintained.

You may think your roof is lasting as long as it can, but there are some factors that will make a difference in its lifespan.

Hail and hurricanes both have the potential to decrease how long youre able to keep on top of routine maintenance tasks like replacing shingles or cleaning gutters this could result in leaks and other problems later down the line if not taken care off now!

Disasters Change The Equation

Will Our Roof Last 50 Years? | Standing Seam Steel Roof Installation Time Lapse

As a final note, be careful relying on any kind of estimate if you live in an area frequented by disaster-level weather events, like hurricanes or tornadoes. If these events hit too near, your roof will be damaged.

While not every case of bad weather requires a roof replacement, some will. It doesnt really matter how old your roof is if a tornado comes too close or a hurricane bashes against it for a few days.

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How Long Do Wood Shingles Last 20 To 30 Years

Yet another natural choice for a roof is wood. Wood shingles can come in a wide array of sizes, textures, colors, and types of wood. And shingles are a more clean-cut option, while cedarwood shakes are a little bit rougher but last a long time while also being both rot and insect-resistant. Wood shingles cost a mid-range around $200 to $600 per square, depending on the type of wood and the manufacturer.

Wood is a little more maintenance to upkeep and ensures they last for 30 or more years. They may require replacement more frequently and might need to be re-stained or painted a few times throughout their lifespan. But with that in mind, they are still a great choice for both the cost and durability.

As you can see, there is no shortage of amazing roofing materials out there, all lasting for a wide array of time. If longevity is what youre looking for, you will find yourself paying more upfront costs but can sit back and relax, knowing your roof will last for as long as you own your home and even longer in some instances.

Contact Gouge Quality Roofing For A FREE Quote!

For more simple, budget-friendly roofs, there are just as many great options to choose from there. No matter what you choose to do, Gouge Roofing can help you get there. Our well-versed team can get you an estimate and a game plan to get your new roof installed in no time.

Shingle Granules In Gutters

Do a quick inspection of your gutters. Do you see a whole lot of black specks? These are asphalt granules from your shingles. Some granule loss is normal throughout the life of an asphalt roof, but asphalt shingles tend to lose more granules toward the end of their life cycle. Heavy granule loss on a consistent basis is a sure sign that your roof needs to be replaced.

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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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Concrete And Clay Tiles

How Long Do Roof Shingles Last?

Clay tiles are an excellent roofing option for premium homes. Clay tiles are heavy and require a specially designed roof frame to support the weight of the roof.

A properly installed clay tile roof should last anywhere from 50 to 100 years.

Clay tiles normally have really good wind uplift ratings up to 120-130 MPH, but any cracked and loose or missing tile pieces can create a hazardous situation during a hurricane.

Concrete tiles are like clay tiles in many regards including their heavy weight. They are however a less costly tile roofing option, with an expected lifespan of 40 to 75 years.

Tell-Tale Signs to Consider Replacement: Many cracked or loose tiles and/or leaks that dont respond to simple repairs.

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How Long Does An Asphalt Roof Last

An asphalt shingle roof can last around 15 to 25 years, if properly maintained and barring any significant weather events or disasters.

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.

Asphalt shingles are made from layers of organic material and cement fibers over a layer of black asphalt that heats up in the sun and forms a watertight layer that offers protection from UV rays and wind as well.

If you think your asphalt shingles might need to be repaired or replaced, look for major cracks, loose or missing granules, or shingles that are curled up at the edges.

A hailstorm, blizzard, tornado, or other catastrophic weather event can also shorten the lifetime of your roof and you may need a full replacement or roof repair.

3 tab asphalt shingle roofs one of the most popular kinds in most temperate climates including the midwestern United States are some of the more common asphalt roofing options, but there are some variations like architectural or dimensional shingles, which can last longer.

Keep in mind that if you have an asphalt shingle roof in places that get serious strong sunlight like southern California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, or Arizona, then youll want to be aware that your roof might not last as long as it would in other areas like the Midwest or Northeast.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Lifespan: 20-year to 30-year

Weakness: The fasteners

While this type of roof does have somewhat of an angle to it, it is a common type of commercial roof we work on and often is classified as a flat roof. These metal roofs protect the seams from moisture by having them sit at the highest point of elevation on the roof surface. However, the fasteners that keep the panels together are points of weakness. Oftentimes these fasteners show early signs of rust and can even rot away entirely. This leaves holes across the surface for water to enter and destroy the roof.

Learn about our metal roofing services.

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Regular Inspection & Maintenance Helps Ensure Maximum Roof Life Expectancy

Many well-intentioned homeowners simply dont give their roof a second thought until theres a problem and then it may be too late to do anything about it. Unless you dont mind having to replace your roof prematurely, you should perform self-checks of your roof and gutters seasonally, and many experts also recommend an annual professional inspection of your roof. Dont wait 20 years to start paying attention to your shingles! Things you can and should be looking for include curled, damaged, or missing shingles, excessive granule loss, exposed nails, damaged flashing, missing seals, and gutter issues. And its wise to schedule a professional roofer to come out and take a look, too. The eyes of a trained professional may be able to spot something you might otherwise notice, and might be able to steer you towards a viable repair option versus having to shell out big bucks for a total roof replacement.

The Life Expectancy Of A Shingle Roof

Florida Roofs. How long do they typically last?

So, how long can you expect a shingle roof to last? Most shingle manufacturers provide product warranties ranging from between 15 to 30 years, with the average 3-tab asphalt shingle expected to last around 20 years or so. Architectural shingles are thicker and more sturdy, and can sometimes surpass a lifespan of 30 years. But how long will your roof shingles last?

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Metal Roof Tiles Pros

Lightweight. Metal roofing tiles are extremely light. So you probably wont need a roofing expert. And thats unlike heavier materials such as clay and concrete.

Energy-efficient. Metal roofs can reflect solar radiation heat. And keep your home comfortable in the summer with most types of paint coats.

Very low upkeep. Clay and concrete tiles go through damage in colder areas. But metal roofing systems have longer warranties than others.

Clay Tile Roofs Life Can Last Up To 50 Years Or Longer But Requires Professional Installation

Clay tiles come in a range of earthy colors. Thus, this roofing is most known for its vibrant terra-cotta tones. And thats in the southwestern United States.

The clay tile installation costs between $600 and $800 per square foot. But replacement wont be soon as it lasts pretty long. Low-maintenance, long-lasting tiles may easily last 50 years. And manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 30 years to a lifetime.

Clay tile roofs are prevalent in hot, sunny locations. And also where the suns high heat may soften the bottom of asphalt shingles. Thus, reducing adhesion and causing roof leaks.

Some clay tiles are from clay. But most of todays clay tiles are from pigmented concrete. Manufacturers mold such concrete into curved, flat, or interlocking designs.

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Your Asphalt Roof Is About 20 Years Old

The life of a roof is how many years you get out of it. For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, thats 25-years.

As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.

A reputable roofing contractor will recommend that you replace your roof somewhere around 80-85% of the manufacturers life of the roof. For example, you should consider replacing a 25-year roof around the 20-year mark.

Dont wait until its too late, get ahead of any potential problems and replace your roof before the end of its life.

Signs That Your Roof Needs Replacement

How to Make Your Roof Last Throughout the Year

If your roof is approaching the end of its lifespan, you should start thinking about replacement as soon as possible. You can estimate when your roof will need to be replaced based on the average lifespan of your particular roofing material and when it was originally installed. Keep in mind, however, that harsh weather and unexpected damage can shorten the lifespan of a roof significantly, especially if problem areas are left unrepaired.

If you dont know when your roof was installed, or if there is a chance that harsh weather and damage have shortened the life of your roof, be on the lookout for signs of age, wear, and tear. Signs to look out for include:

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