The roof over your head plays a crucial role in your home’s overall integrity. Once the roof starts to fail, it can compromise walls, floors, and ever your electrical system. This issue can prove especially troubling for anyone buying a home.
The traditional wisdom states that you can expect around 20-25 years of service from a roof. Of course, you can’t know with certainty that the roof on the house you buy didn’t undergo some kind of damage and repair.
Let’s say you play it safe and decide to replace the roof. You’re still left with the question, “How long does a roof last?”
Let’s dive in and look at some of the factors that affect your roof’s working life.
Materials
The most common roofing material is the venerable shingle. Shingles come in two main varieties: 3-tab asphalt shingles and architectural shingles.
The standard 3-tab shingle can last as little as 10 years and as much as 20. The sturdier and more expensive shingles can last anywhere from 25-50 years. Shingle roofing forms the basis for the 20-25 year life estimate for most roofs.
Pro tip: Shingle warranties can vary wildly in what they cover.
Metal roofing is another option that has become more popular in recent years. Metal roofing enjoys good durability and longevity. For example, ecoMetals roofing can last up to 60 years.
Tile roofs can last 50-100 years, but tiles can prove fragile against impacts. While a stray baseball probably won’t crack one, a falling limb might shatter a dozen.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions where you live can also affect how long your roof will last.
For example, coastal areas on the Eastern seaboard get hit with hurricane-force winds almost every year. Most roofing materials only show fair performance under high wind conditions, although metal roofs do well.
Tiles tend to perform poorly in areas with heavy snowfall and ice accumulation. Shingles only do a so-so job surviving against hail. Understanding how your roof performs against local weather can help you pick a long-lasting material.
Installation Quality
While some homeowners operate at a near-professional level for home improvement projects, not all do. The advent of water/ice shields only complicates the installation process. Improper installation of underlayment or water shields can compromise your environmental envelope and shorten the roof’s lifespan.
As a general rule, a roof installed by qualified professionals will perform better than one installed by the homeowner.
Parting Thoughts on How Long Does a Roof Last?
Unfortunately, every answer to the question, “How long does a roof last,” boils down to educated guesses.
As a general rule of thumb, the 20-25 years holds true for shingle roofs that experience unusual weather activity. You can boost that number to 50-100 years for tile and metal roofs. If the material you choose doesn’t fare well against your local weather, though, assume your roof will need repair or replacement sooner.
ecoMetals specializes in metal roofing systems. For questions or a quote, contact ecoMetals today.
