Average Roof Lifespan How Long Does A Roof Last
If you are in the process of buying a new home, you probably want to know the age of the roof and how much longer it will last. Similarly, if youve lived in your home for a while, you are probably also wondering about the current condition of the roof and whether its time to consider some viable replacement options.
This guide outlines the expected lifespans of most popular roofing systems for homes. Print it out and use it to assess the life expectancy of any roof when buying a new home or planning for future roof replacement needs in your own home.
Right Off the Bat: A typical asphalt shingle roof will normally last anywhere from 15 to 25 years before requiring a replacement.
That said, there are several different kinds of asphalt shingles, as well as other roofing materials to consider when estimating longevity of a particular roofing system. Lets get started.
Average Lifespans for Most Popular Residential Roof Systems:
How Well Was The Roof Installed
Another crucial factor to consider is how well the roofing contractor initially installed the roof. For instance, roof installations in the Pittsburgh region, a crucial roof component is the ice and water barrier. Not having enough ice and water underlayment installed, or not having it installed in critical areas like a valley, can cause leaks during heavy rains or when ice damming occurs in the winter.
A word about underlayment: Roofing underlayment is one of the most vital components of roof replacements. Underlayment is a layer of waterproofing security on the occasion when the exterior roof is damaged. This added layer of protection counters moisture buildup and mold issues and is essential in helping prevent your materials from rotting away.
Weve come across roofing systems during our roof inspections that were only a few years old, but were already leaking due to poor workmanship by the roofing contractor when first installing the roof.
The Asphalt Shingles Fail Prematurely
When your roofing contractor doesnt use correct roofing techniques, your roof will not get anywhere near its maximum lifespan. In fact, this leads to premature roof failure most of the time.
Premature roof failure means you need a new roof well before you should need one. Two of the main causes are improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation.
If your shingles arent installed correctly, theyll look uneven or wavy, youll find them in your yard, or even have full sections sliding off your roof. Youll also have a leak show up immediately or at some point in the near future.
If your attic isnt properly ventilated, the damage caused by trapped hot and cold air will drastically shorten your roofs life. Trapped hot air literally burns your roof up, causes the adhesives in the decking to deteriorate, and leads to your asphalt shingles cracking or curling.
On the other hand, trapped cold air mixes with the heat and moisture from the interior of your home, which causes condensation. This condensation causes your roofs decking to swell and leads to your roof having a wavy look.
Not only does improper installation and inadequate ventilation lead to premature roof failure, but they also void the warranties on your shingles and other roofing materials. This leaves you with only the contractors workmanship warranty to fall back on to fix or replace your prematurely failed roof.
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Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of A Roof
Installing or replacing a roof is a big project! All parts of the exterior of your home are affected by more than just the materials they are made of.
The lifespan of a residential roof is affected by many factors, including:
The roofing materials and shingles used.
Climate. Hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and hail storms can substantially lessen the lifetime of a roof.
The slope. A steeper slope means that water and other debris will roll off more easily, which can extend the life of the roof.
The quality and integrity of roofing substrates and the supporting structure.
The quality of craftsmanship during installation and roof maintenance and repair.
What Are The Weather Conditions Where You Live
Every type of roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. Sun, rain, hail, and big temperature swings all play a part in how quickly youll lose the protective layer of granules and in causing the weatherproofing asphalt to age and become brittle.
Its no secret. We know the weather conditions in Pittsburgh can change quickly from one day to the next, without even mentioning the extreme cold temperatures in the winter and sizzling hot temperatures in the summer. These dramatic changes can cause plenty of erosion on the roof. For instance, when shingles freeze in the winter, this will frequently loosen the roof granules.
These weather conditions and drastic temperature changes can also result in the cracking of the rubber gaskets around the vent pipes. Flashing can also be pulled away from walls as well as away from the chimney.
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Which Way Does Your Asphalt Shingle Roof Face
Lets face it you probably wouldnt think the direction your home faces factors into the life of your asphalt shingle roof. But the volume of direct sunlight your roof gets impacts how long itll last. Areas constantly being hit by the scorching sun will always age faster than those in shady areas.
However, you need to be aware that areas that are constantly shady areas are more susceptible to aging as algae and moss tend to grow in these spaces. In addition, algae and lichen tend to thrive on shingles in shady areas as they feed on the oil and limestone found in the shingles themselves.
The conclusion: All of the outside elements are going to factor into the lifespan of your asphalt shingle roof.
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:ro
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How Long Do Roofs Last 5 Roof Types And Their Lifespans
The age of your roof is a great way to determine if its time for a roof replacement. Image source: Greenco Construction Services
Whether youre buying a new home or youre planning on staying put in your current house, you probably have an idea of the condition of your roof. But, it can be hard for homeowners to gauge exactly when they should get a roof replacement.
In this article, we discuss 5 different types of roofs, how long each different roof type lasts, and what signs to look out for when your roof needs to be replaced.
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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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.
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.
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Cedar Shakes And Shingles
Our estimate of 25 to 40 years because most homeowners dont maintain cedar roofing as they should. TLC easily pushes the longevity to 40-50 years or longer, as evidenced on many historic homes in the US and Europe.
So, to get the longest life from cedar roofing, the cedar must be proactively cleaned, stained and sealed as needed. This could be every 3-5 years in harsh climates, and up to a decade where the weather is more temperate.
When to Replace a Cedar Roof
Cedar looks its age over time fading, becoming bleached or stained based on local climate conditions. If that bothers you, replace it.
Structurally, if cedar shakes are splitting, coming loose or allowing in water, roof replacement should be considered.
Top Five Signs Its Time To Replace Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
There are a number of easily observed warning signs that indicate your roof is wearing out and that you can expect future leaks and trouble down the road. When these indications start popping into view on your roof, it is a good idea to start thinking about replacement or repair if that is possible.
1. Missing Granules
Missing granules, when viewed from the ground, look like dark patches on light shingles or lighter patches if the shingles are black or dark. You will also see large amounts of granules in the gutters when you clean them.
The loss of granules do not affect the waterproofing of the roof, so if they are missing you wont necessarily get leaks. But the granules protect the asphalt in the shingle from being damaged by the UV rays of the sun. So once they go, the shingles will wear out faster.
2. Curling Shingles
Curling Is the result of the asphalt in the shingles drying and shrinking over time. They become brittle as a result. In high winds, they will begin to get blown off. There is no repair for this other than replacing the tiles affected or, if widespread on your roof, time to replace the roof..
3. Lots of Moss
Moss growth on shingles doesnt necessarily mean that shingles are old or worn out, particularly if it is only in one area. Often the affected shingles can be simply cleaned to remove the moss.
4. Shingles Blown Off the Roof
5. Age of Roof
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Other Factors That Affect Roof Lifespan
Besides what its made of, the lifespan of your roof is determined by factors like maintenance and weather, too. For example, certain weather may mold and/or crack wood shingles more easily. Even resilient metal roofs may suffer from sealant erosion over time.
Also, asphalt shingles are very light and may come loose more often in locations that get a lot of high winds. Windy areas with a lot of foliage can also knock trees or tree branches into the roof, causing damage.
Furthermore, if such damage isnt dealt with soon enough, it rapidly gets worse. A small crack can let moisture in under the roofing material. There it expands and contracts with temperature changes, causing the crack to widen.
For this reason, annual roof inspections are essential for lengthening the life of your roof, no matter what its made of.
Everything You Need To Know About Asphalt Shingle Maintenance Damage And Aging
Your roof is one of the biggest investments youll ever make, and so it only makes sense to maintain and use it for as long as possible. However, there are many factors that can affect its lifespan. While using the right materials can dramatically increase your roofs ability to withstand the elements, that doesnt mean your roof is never going to encounter other problems.
New View Roofing, one of the premier roofing contractors in the area, discusses the forces and conditions that will determine your asphalt roofs performance, signs of damage and its stages of aging.
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What Is The Lifespan Of An Asphalt Shingle Roof
One of the most important aspects of homeownership is the ongoing roof maintenance and repairs of materials that protect your home. Having a durable, reliable, and sturdy roof is essential to protecting your house, family, and possessions.
With roofing materials that can last anywhere between ten to sixty years, there is a lot of room for some roofing materials to perform better or worse than others. Artisan Quality Roofing has everything you need to know about maintenance for the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof.
The Shingles Are Covered With Moss Or Algae
Okay, this is actually no reason to panic. Its just a cosmetic issue, says McGavic. People may choose to replace the roof just because they dont like the aesthetic . Whatever you do, dont take matters into your own hands by power washing or scraping away at the green stuff. Thats a good way to chip off all the granules, which again, essentially renders your shingles useless.
How much time youve got left: As long as you can stand the look. Consider a wash thats one part bleach and one part water to remove algae or moss. Or look into zinc strips that can be installed at roof peaks and will eventually eliminate the problem. If you do decide to replace your roof, consider tiles that are algae-resistant, like GAF Timberline roofs, a Good Housekeeping Seal holder.
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With The Help Of A Qualified Roofing Contractor Its Possible To See Impressive Results Without Having To Wait Around For Months
How long should it take to replace a roof. Take that into consideration into determining whether its time to replace your roof. Although you might think that your roof needs completely replacing, it could be that a roof repair or partial reroofing is all that is required. How long should a roof job take?
This is influenced by the above factors. To find out more about commercial roof replacement or selecting a commercial roofer in cleveland, ohio, simply fill out the form on this page and a member of our team will be in touch. Getting your roof replaced is an essential project and should be done right away.
Replacing your roof can often feel like a significant inconvenience, and you might be wondering about how long it will take to get done from start to finish. Remember when you bought or built your house? Professional roofers in optimal conditions can replace a roof in 1 to 3 days.
Factors to consider when reshingling. Or, you may call us at 440.946.2233. To know more about the price of a new roof as well as other details including how long does it take to replace a roof be sure to contact livingston roof pros.
Size, material, weather, and the complexity of the install can all affect the timeline. 1 square = 100 square feet of shingles). A qualified littleton roofer can install a new roof in as little as two days.
How old was the roof then? Generally, a roof job should take between 1 and 3 days. If temperatures are mild, then they can.
How long will that take?
The Value Of A Long Lasting Roof
Another reason to consider replacing your roof is the value that it adds to your house if you are planning on selling it in the near future and your roof is nearing 15 to 20 years old, depending on the type of material used, the quality of the build, and any damage that may have occurred.
Getting a roof inspection, fixing any problems before they start, and potentially replacing your roof can make a significant difference in the selling price.
In fact, a house with a new roof sells for an average of $12,000 more than a house with an older roof, which means that you may recover the costs of the roof replacement when you sell.
Regardless of whether or not you are planning on selling your property any time soon, the condition and the longevity of the roof over your head is of utmost importance.
While the length of time that your particular roof lasts depends on the type of materials used, the installation techniques involved, and any damage that may need to be fixed during its lifespan, all the aforementioned guidelines can help you determine when to replace your roof as well as to understand the potential lifetime value of your investment in a new roof.
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