Estimated Total Costs To Install A New Roof
- 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles: Range = $7,000 to $12,000 / Avg. = $9,500
- 30-year Shingles: Range = $9,000 to $15,000 / Avg. = $12,000
- Wood Shingles: Range = $14,000 to $25,000 / Avg. = $19,500
- Steel Shingles: Range = $14,000 to $25,000 / Avg. = $19,500
- Aluminum Shingles: Range = $15,000 to $28,000 / Avg. = $21,500
- Standing Seam: Range = $23,000 to $30,000 / Avg. = $26,500
- Natural Slate: Range = $25,000 to $50,000 / Avg. = $37,500
- Concrete Tiles: Range = $20,000 to $40,000 / Avg. = $30,000
- Clay Tiles: Range = $25,000 to $50,000 / Avg. = $37,500
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Worried Your Roof Is On Its Last Leg Put A Klaus On Your House
If you’re worried your roof may not survive much longer, contact Klaus Larsen Roofing right away! We can further examine your roof to determine whether your roof can be repaired, or if it’s nearing the end of its usable life and you need a new roof. If you live in Granby, Bloomfield, Simsbury, or nearby areas in Eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island, contact us to schedule a free estimate today!
The Average Lifespan Of A Roof
So how long do roofs last in general and how long will your roof last?
As weve covered in this article, the length of time that your roof will last depends on the materials used, the quality of the installation, and any major natural disasters, catastrophes, or accidents that may have occurred during the lifetime of the roof.
You can make your roof last longer by getting regular inspections and performing proper maintenance , but if you have roof leaks that cannot be easily repaired, lots of broken, curled, torn, or missing shingles, or other serious damage, it may be time to get your roof replaced.
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What Are The Weather Conditions In Your Area
Every roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. The amount of extreme weather your area gets determines how fast the wear and tear affect your asphalt roof.
For example, if you live in an area that gets a lot of small hail, then your shingles will have granular loss a lot quicker. You wont be able to file an insurance claim but itll definitely shorten your asphalt roofs life.
Theres nothing you can do about the weather. But be aware the weather of your area will factor into the life of your roof.
How Long Does A Roof Membrane Last
If your home or property has a flat or low-sloped roof, some of the other types of roofing systems that weve covered wont be suitable.
For these sorts of properties, a roofing membrane like EPDM is a common choice due to its low cost and easier flat roof repair.
However, it only lasts for 5 to 15 years and is prone to leakage due to its taped or glued seams.
PVC and TPO roof membranes are more costly but also more durable roofing membrane options.
These are single ply roofing membranes with hot welded air seams that allow them to last nearly twice as long as EPDM rubber but of course these types of membrane roofs are more expensive to install or purchase.
Keep in mind that if your property is situated in an area where hurricanes are likely, then you will want to invest in a fully-adhered membrane roofing system as opposed to a mechanically attached single ply membrane roof since those will be more likely to withstand the winds and water from a hurricane.
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About This Roof Lifespan Chart
The following table provides typical expected useful service life durations for various roofing materials and roof systems.
The values for the expected roof lifespans are based on recent developments in roofing materials technology.
This table covers current roofing products, so in some cases the expected service life we give will be significantly longer than what can be expected from older products on existing roofs which were installed years ago.
The warranty information was taken from actual warranty documents for actual roofing products from actual roofing manufacturers. These arent guesses.
Factors That Determine A Roofs Life Expectancy
There are many factors that go into predicting the length of the useful service life of a roof.
The quality and reliability of the manufacturer is very important. 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.
All other things being equal, though, its the thickness of the material that most affects the expected lifespan of a roof. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the shingle, the panel, the membrane, or the tile, the longer the roof will last.
A cedar shingle roof like this one can last up to 40 years if its taken care of properly. Those tree branches are going to be a problem, as the shade keeps the shingles from drying out properly, which can result in rot and undesirable growths.
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Roof Inspection And Maintenance Regularity
You probably get the oil checked in your car on a regular basis, and in most states, you have to get the entire car inspected every year. Why wouldnt you do the same with your roof the most important factor protecting the contents of your home, which is likely five times the value of a new automobile? A qualified roofing inspector will check for cracked caulk or rusted flashing. Theyll look at the shingles to check for buckling or blistering and look at the rubber boots around the vent pipes to ensure theyre sound. With regular inspections and necessary repairs, you can expect your roof to protect your home for many years.
What Are The Signs Of A Deteriorating Roof
Did you just buy a new house and want to inspect the roof? Or have you owned a home for awhile now yet never really took the time and effort to give the shingles a closer examination? Now is as good of time as ever so long as you are comfortable and feel safe being on the rooftop. If not, why not hire a professional roofing service to conduct an inspection?
Signs that you need a new roof:
- Shingle edges look curled.
- Excess algae has destroyed the protective layer of the shingles.
- There is noticeable water damage.
At the end of the day, the lifespan test does not lie. If you know for a fact that its been more than 20 years since the roof was replaced, chances are you need a new roof.
However, if the following conditions are not readily present on the roof and you know the timetable has not yet been reached for a replacement, there are ways you can try to extend the life of your roof for those that are still in good to average shape.
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Temperature And Other Weather Factors
It probably shouldnt surprise you to learn that one of the biggest contributing factors to how long a shingle roof will last is the weather. Temperature swings from hot to cold, humidity swings from moist to dry, and occasional strong storms really have a big impact. The stresses of the elements will inevitably cause shingles to weaken and become brittle over time, leading to granule loss, brittleness, and eventual shingle tears and breakage.
Clay Barrel Roof Tiles Vs Composite Barrel Roof Tiles
A clay tile roof brings to mind a vision of historic Spanish architecture. They are beautiful and have been known to last for more than 100 years if installed properly and have had regular maintenance to keep them in top shape. Part of their appeal is the unique shape of the barrel tile, making it a 3-dimensional element of the exterior of your home. However, as with natural slate tiles, a clay tile roof is extremely heavy and the roof structure must be structurally sound to carry the additional weight.
One of the issues with clay is that it breaks easily. The individuals installing a clay roof and maintaining it need to have considerable experience or they will find they are breaking more tiles than they are working on. Clay tile roofs are also expensive, with costs that can be 2-3 times that of a conventional asphalt roof.
There is a less expensive, easier to install and maintain option that provides the durability of clay without the need for extra support and without sacrificing the elegance of a barrel tile roof: a composite barrel tile roof.
Composite barrel roofing tiles have a life expectancy of about 50 years and require little maintenance to keep them in top shape. They can be installed by most professional roofers and their composition almost eliminates the chance of breaking fragile tiles when walking on them. They are lightweight and recyclable, only needing a trip to the landfill every 50 years instead of every 10-15 as with some asphalt shingles.
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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.
The Construction Of A Long Lasting Roof
All of these elements work together to result in a long lasting roof.
When you are choosing a roofing company or contractor to replace your roof or install one on a new house, understand that the choice of various types of shingles, tiles, metal, or any other roofing material is only one aspect of crafting a roof with a long lifespan.
On the contrary, the shingles work with the flashing, underlayment, deck, and ventilation to help prolong the lifetime of your roof.
You should know that most roofing warranties include standards for installation and the types of underlayment, ventilation materials, and more that have to be used and all of this contributes to lengthening the lifespan of the roofing system.
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Life Span Of A Flat Roof
The lifespan of a flat roof depends on the material covering it. Asphalt coverings use layers of felt combined with molten asphalt and topped with a coating of gravel. This is an inexpensive flat roofing option, but typically only lasts about 10 years. Rubber roofing, which may be EPDM or elastomeric membrane, is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane that is not covered with gravel.
This roofing is more expensive than asphalt coatings, but offers excellent UV resistance and durability. It typically has a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, although most manufacturer warranties only guarantee a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Thermoplastic olefin membrane is another flat roof materials option made from ethylene propylene rubber and filler materials. It typically lasts between 40 and 50 years, and is resistant to tears, punctures and UV rays.
References
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.
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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.
Slate And Clay/concrete Tiles
Slate and clay tile roofing are the kings in the roofing industry when it comes to the lifespan of roofing materials. With a mind-boggling life expectancy of 100 years, these types of roofing systems are highly sought-out for their lifespan and durability. This type of roofing will also be able to hold down your roof from some of the strongest winds in the country since it can weigh over a ton. However, youll need to have a good amount of supporting beams that can handle the weight of your roof.
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What Can Shorten Your Roofs Lifespan
Here are key factors that determine how often your roof may need to be replaced:
- Weather: Florida faces extreme heat and humidity as well as tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season. The roof of your house faces a healthy dose of salt spray in addition to humidity, heat, and high winds. These extreme weather conditions cause roofing materials to loosen or crack, damaging the structural integrity of your roof.
- Exposure to UV Rays: Prolonged exposure to extreme heat creates thermal shocks to the roofing materials, causing expansion and contraction. This causes the material to crack, tear, or curl causing roof replacement to be sooner than expected.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting your roof and leaving problems unaddressed can intensify problems and accelerate wear and tear. For instance, leaks and mold can take years off your roof’s service life. What’s more, ignoring specific maintenance duties can cause the warranty to lapse and material to degrade faster.
- Insulation and Ventilation: Bad ventilation and inadequate insulation can cause warm, moist air to build up and cause rotting on your roof.
The Life Expectancy Of Your Roof
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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The Homeowners Guide To Roof Maintenance
You can extend the lifespan of your shingle roof by performing regular maintenance and keeping a close eye on it. So it is always useful to have a homeowners checklist for maintenance projects to stay on top of.
Consider things like the color of your roof and the orientation when trying to extend its lifespan. A roof with a darker color absorbs more heat, which can shorten its lifespan, and the angle of the roof slope will determine how much heat or sunlight the shingles will receive.
A poorly installed roof or one made of low-quality materials is going to give you ongoing problems. Make sure your contractor uses good quality products and is qualified and experienced to do the job.
A harsh climate can also shorten the life of your roof. This may be beyond your control, but you can manage the surrounding environment. For example, make sure trees near the roof are trimmed regularly so they do not rub on or fall on the roof.
The gutters should be kept clean and damaged or lost shingles should be replaced as soon as possible. In addition, keeping an eye out for mold and algae growth is also an important part of roof maintenance.
