How Often Replace A Roof

How Long Do Fiber Cement Shingles Last

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 yourself.

Any kind of roof will have its lifespan shortened by major weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or other storms, so even if your roof and home seem relatively or undamaged after such an occurrence, know that you should have the roof checked out right away to make sure there arent any small issues that could prove to be a major problem in the future.

Average Lifespan Of A Roofing Material

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have a lifespan that ranges from 15 to 20 years. However, some types, such as architectural asphalt, are superior and will last longer. Their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions can give them an additional 10 years compared to 3-tab shingles.

Clay/Cement Tile Roofing

Concrete or clay tiles are some of the most durable roofing materials in the current market because they can withstand natural elements without wearing off easily. On the downside, they are very heavy, which makes installation a little challenging. It also means the roof must be reinforced before the installation of the tiles.

However, the additional sturdiness helps protect the roof further. Their lifespan ranges between 50 to 100 years.

Slate Roofing

Slate roofing is the most long-lasting option out of all roofing types. It can go up to 125 years without needing replacement. If climatic conditions are adverse, the slate will last 100 years.

Wood Shingles

If you have wood shingles, expect them to last for at least 15 years and at most 30 years. The longevity will depend on the maintenance routines because these roofing materials cannot remain sturdy without being tended to. You have to clean the roof regularly to remove debris and moss that could accumulate moisture and cause the roof to decay. Wood shingles are also susceptible to fire damage.

With regular maintenance and fire-resistant coating, these roofing materials can last up to 50 years or more.

Wood Shakes

Different Materials Last Different Amounts Of Time

For a big picture number on when to replace your roof, consider the type of material you want to use. Knowing each materials life expectancy may affect your choice when weighing roof replacement options.

Here are different roofing materials and their average life span:

• Asphalt shingles: 15-30 years
• Architectural shingles: 25-30 years
• Wood shingles: up to 30 years
• Clay tiles: up to 50+ years
• Metal roofs : Up to 70 years
• Slate tile roof: a century or more!

Recognize that the longer the lifespan, the higher the initial cost of the roof will be due to increased costs for installation and materials. Know whats right for you by working with a professional roofing company.

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How Often Should You Replace Your Roof

Sadly, an often ignored part of the house is the roof. Unless it starts to leak or break apart, you probably wont notice whats going on up there. However, regular inspection for potential problems is recommended twice a year according to the National Roofing Contractors Association.

If you are afraid of heights, see if a family member or friend can help. Otherwise, a local roofing contractor can conduct an inspection.

Look for:

• Loose, cracked or damaged shingles
• Missing shingles
• Signs of water damage or leaking
• Holes or dark spots

Hopefully, a bi-annual inspection will catch small problems before a leak develops or a larger section of the roof fails. It is important to maintain the roof and conduct regular visual checks. Better to pay for a small repair than deal with a roof collapse and extensive damage.

The underlying structure should last the lifespan of the house. However, depending on the materials used for the covering of the roof, a full replacement is necessary. Unless the roof is made of concrete, then it just needs inspections for cracks or other wear. Tile roofs are also very durable and rarely need a full replacement.

In general, this is the recommended replacement schedule based on the material used:

• Composition Shingles: 12-20 years
• Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years
• Metal Roofs: 50-75 years

If youre looking for a professional roof inspector, contact our roofing replacement contractors at RoofAdvisor today to ensure your roof performing at its peak!

When You Need Your Roof Replaced

Eventually, every roof will need to be replaced, either due to damage or due to age. Pay attention to the age of the roof, as that provides a good indication of when the roof needs replacement.

Each roof has a certain lifespan, depending on the materials that are used.

• Asphalt/Composition shingle roofs last 15-25 years.
• Wood shingles last 15-25 years.
• Rubber roofs last 30-50 years.
• Metal roofs last 50-75 years.
• Concrete tile roofs last 50-75 years.

These averages are dependent upon a number of other factors, including proper maintenance, weather, and catastrophe. Some roofs that have been battered through volatile climates or whose upkeep has been neglected, may need replacement before the typical end of the age.

Whatever you do, donât forget to have your roof looked at by a qualified roofing professional. You want to ensure that your roof is secure and ready to protect your home for years to come!

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Missing Loose Or Cracked Shingles

The issue with most roofs is that theyre ignored and out of sight. You dont usually take a good look unless there is a stain or dark spot viewable from the street or yard.

Old or worn shingles are fairly easy to spot if you search for them. Missing shingles may be replaced individually, but its usually a sign of the bigger issue. Large areas of cracked or loose shingles indicate that your roof needs replacement.

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.

Read Also: How Long Should A 30 Year Roof Last

Sign #1: Gutters On The Ground

Roof shingles rely on an overlapping system to be fully functional, and these tiles are kept in place by sealants that act as glue. If you notice parts of tiles or excessive amounts of granular material on the floor or in the gutters, your roof might be telling you something.

Tiles are made to last for years, but these tiles tend to get exposed to constant and extreme changes in the atmosphere, which most likely be the cause of sealants losing strength that eventually will cause tiles to weaken, crack and chip off parts. It is important to check your roof if the weather permits. If not, you might evidently notice parts or granules of your tiles on the floor or in the gutter, and it might be time to call your roof repairman, or for you to change or repair your roof before those chipped off parts hurt someone.

Get in touch with Findley Roofing & Building Yorkshire to arrange a free, no obligation roof health check today.

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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 A Typical Roof Lasts

The lifespan of your roof is primarily determined by the roofing material used. Traditional asphalt shingle roofs, which are the most common in the United States, typically last between 20 and 25 years. Wood shingle and shake roofs typically last between 20 and 30 years. Metal roofs can last 40 to 50 years. Slate, copper, and tile roofs, which are common in both California and Florida, can last up to 100 years or even longer.

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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Main Signs Its Time To Replace The Roof

When your roofs age is starting to show, reach out to experts for a reliable assessment. Youll know its time to replace your roof if the following apply:

• Your roof shows signs of wear and is reaching the end of its average life expectancy.
• A roof inspector recommends that you replace the roof after a detailed inspection.
• Your real estate agent advises that a new roof will help your property sell, recouping a significant portion of your investment.

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Types Of Roofing Materials

What type of roofing material does your home have? This is the first question you must ask if you want to know when you need to think about replacing your roof. If you dont know and arent sure, you can call in an expert roof inspectorwhich you should anyway!

Having your roof inspected will extend its lifetime, and you can put off having it replaced in its entirety for a while longer. Also, you can check out your roof for warning signs to see if it might be at the end of its lifespan, which well get to next.

What type of material is your roof comprised of? Composition shingles that make up a roof will last about 12-20 years, while asphalt, one of the most popular roofing materials, will last a little longer, about 15-30 years. Surprisingly, wood shingles last about 20-25 years, and finally, metal roofs hang around for 50-75 years.

Perhaps youre unsure of what material your roof is, but there is a way to check to see when the roof was replaced last. Real estate websites that once listed your home for sale, like Zillow or Realtor, often indicate specifications like the year when the roof was last updated.

Orif you can, ask the previous homeowner, or check the documents of your house sale to see if the information is listed there. Of course, a new roof is a major selling point for homeowners, and if it was replaced recently, this will be listed somewhere.

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Get Your Roof Rejuvenated Today

Knowing how often to replace your roof can be tricky. It depends on many factors, including how old your roof is and how it has held up to the surrounding conditions.

There is something you can do to extend the life of your roof. Roof rejuvenation from Roof Maxx restores your asphalt shingles ability to stand up to the elements. One application of Roof Maxx instantly adds five years of life to your roof.

Plus, Roof Maxx can return every five years for up to three applications and 15 more years of roof performance. The best part? An application of Roof Maxx costs just 15-20% of what replacing your roof would cost. You save thousands and keep your roof going strong.Contact Roof Maxx today and get more years from your roof.

Tips To Extend Roof Life

To extend the lifespan of your roof, you should do the following:

• Request a roof inspection by a third-party home inspector every, or every other year. This will give you a report from someone that is not trying to sell you a roof.
• Conduct roof maintenance based on your roof inspection report.
• Cut back trees and vegetation from your roof.
• Ensure the attic is properly ventilated.
• Keep gutters and roof clean. You can pressure wash tile and metal roofs. Do not pressure wash shingle roofs.

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Look For The Warning Signs

There are signs that indicate that your roof needs to be replaced, most of which are fairly obvious. A regular roof inspection is going to be the key here. Having a professional take a yearly look at your roof will not only give you peace of mind, but their trained eye can inform you of any underlying issues that could amount to potential damages if not addressed quickly.

It can be the opposite, too. If youve inspected the roof yourself and have noticed water damage, a leak, or missing shingles, your mind might automatically jump to a roof replacement when one is not needed. Only a professional, trained inspector can let you know when your home or business is in need of its entire roof to be replaced instead of its shingle repaired.

You also might find pieces of shingles in your gutters, a sure-fire indication that your shingles are just about done with their lifespan, as they are breaking apart. Just a glimpse at your roof might tell you that with the shingles curling and buckling, the whole roof will need to be replaced.

Its a very bad sign if you stand in the attic and notice daylight peeking through, or worse, a leak. If your insulation is retaining moisture, you most definitely need to replace your roof, and right away.

Theres also a call for concern if your roof has been layered over instead of replacedsomething that might require you to have an inspector do some investigating. The layering isnt going to help you if it too is old and needs to be replaced.

How Do I Find A Roofing Contractor In My Area

If you have a roof that youre pretty sure will need to be replaced, youre likely wondering how to find the best contractor for your house. We recommend starting with an online search for a professional that works on roofs in your area. Not all roofing contractors are credible so take the time to read through reviews and verify the information you find. You may also wish to visit the National Roofing Contractors Association and search for a contractor that they recommend to replace a roof.

At CCI, we offer a free, no-obligation inspection for roofs and homes in our area. If you think you may need a roof repair or replacement, contact us to schedule your appointment with our team of expert contractors.

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How Long Does A Tile Roof Last

Tile roofing systems can last for years if properly cared for, and they tend to be popular in warmer and wetter climates due to their heating and cooling efficiency and water resistance.

A tile roofs lifetime largely depends on the type of tile roofing material that you choose and any regional weather factors that may apply.

A tile roof will have a longer or shorter lifespan based on the climate it is located in for instance, a tile roof in Florida is going to require a different type of maintenance than a tile roof in Illinois.

Furthermore, a tile roof might last longer than a shingled roof in Florida, for example, because tile roofing can better withstand the heat and humidity and possible hurricane or tropical damage that can occur in that state.

On the other hand, a tile roof in Illinois can still last for several decades, since the climate is much more temperate and the roof is less likely to be subject to thermal shock, hurricanes, or other weather events that can cause serious damage.

The Shingles Are Cracked

Cracked shingles are typically a result of wind damage. If just a few shingles are cracked, you can certainly replace them. “If the cracking isn’t isolated to one particular area and it’s random throughout the roof, that’s a telltale sign that you should start thinking about a new roof,” says Graham.

How much time you’ve got left: You may need to replace the whole thing within three to five years.

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