How Long Do Roofs Last?

Apr 23

There are varieties of roofs and on average, these roofs are known to last about 30 years. Generally, most roofs last between 25 and 50 years depending on the type. To expatiate, the life span of these roofs depend on not only the quality, but also the durability, as well as the type of material used. In this article, I will be discussing about the different types of roof and their lifespan as well.

1) Metal Roofing

I’m sure you must be familiar with metal roofing, perhaps seen it somewhere or probably even the roofing type used for your house. Well, a metal roof is known to last between 40 and 70 years. Warranties are included as well depending on the type of metal while also, including the design of the roof. This roofing type is however, subdivided into three which are; the “Stand Steam Metal Roofing” which is the most common of all the metal roofing types and has a lifespan of 50 years, the “Ribbed Metal Panels” which are less costly to install and have a lifespan of 25 – 50 years, and finally, the “Stone-coated Steel Tiles” which can be very much found in areas prone to hurricanes and have a lifespan of 30 – 50 years.

2) Clay Tile Roof

This roofing type is known to be very durable and don’ be surprised, this roofing type can last between 50 and 100 years. For their warranties, it falls between 30 years to a lifetime. There must be something about this roofing type that makes it durable with a long lifespan which I will explain to you now. The tiles of this roofing type are weather, rot, and also, fire-resistant which explains it all. You should however, ensure to clean it properly and regularly to prevent the accumulation of algae, moss, as well as mold to prolong its lifespan.

3) Slate Tile Roof

This type of roofing possesses a very long lifespan of about 75 years – 200 years. Yes! 200 years and one of the reasons why the manufacturers offer warranties not less than 50 years. Extreme weather conditions such as high winds or changing temperatures can be taken care of by this roofing type and it also requires less maintenance. One important factor to take note of before installing this roof type is your roofing system and how much weight it can withstand as slate is actually heavy and weigh a lot!

4) Asphalt Shingles

With no doubt, these are the most common roofing material in the US and this is because they are durable and also, affordable. They can last between 15 and 30 years while having warranties of up to 25 years! Interesting right? Asphalt shingles are produced from fiberglass and asphalt sealant and provides protection for your roof structure from wind, rain, snow, as well extreme UV rays.

5) Wood Shakes and Shingles

These are known to last for about 30 years with warranties of up to 30 years as well. For this type of roof to last, there is a need for regular maintenance which of course, should include yearly cleanings, as well as repainting. The best type of wood to use is “Cedar shakes” as they are known to last longer than other wooden shingles and this is because they are insect-resistant.

CONCLUSION

Now, you can see that lifespan of roofs vary with each type having its own range of time at which it lasts. However, note that constant roof maintenance and inspections are necessary to have a long-lasting roof. Also, another key to having a long-lasting roof is identifying roof issues early enough and repairing accordingly. Let me conclude with this: “At Riverfront Roofing, quality and durable roofing materials are provided and nothing but the best is what you get”.