If you think you need repairs to your roof or a full roof replacement, you have to think about the life expectancy of your roof. Many factors come into play, such as the condition of your roof when you purchased the house, how you’ve been maintaining the roof, and more. Here’s a general idea of how long your roof will last.
The Average Lifespan of a Roof
The average lifespan of a roof is 30 years. Every 20 to 30 years, you will need to get the entire roof replaced. So if you’ve recently purchased your home, you want to try to get information about the roof from the past owner. If you’re about to purchase a home, you want to look into when the roof was replaced, as it should play a factor in how much you pay for your home.
What Material is the Roof Constructed With?
Then you have to look at the material of the roof. Certain materials will last longer than others. Most homeowners will have asphalt shingles. These roofs will last as long as 20 years, but it can be lower depending on the quality of shingles. Cheaper shingles can even wear out in a matter of 10 to 15 years.
Quality shingles will last 20 to 30 years. The reason why these shingles will last longer is that they are thicker and built to be more durable. Of course, they are also a lot more expensive than regular shingles. That’s the reason why most people usually opt to go with regular shingles.
Metal shingles can last even longer. They’ll last anywhere from 30 to 70 years, depending on the actual metal and design. They are incredibly durable and will not rust as most people would expect them to. They are coated for protection. However, the metal shingles are costly with a high upfront price.
Other materials that last a long time include concrete, clay, and stone. All of these materials will last longer than asphalt, ranging anywhere from 30 to 50 years, depending on quality. Again, you will have to pay a higher price for these materials.
Check How Well It’s Been Taken Care Of
You will want to hire a roofing contractor to observe the state of your roof. You want to see if it has been well maintained over the years. If you find that the roof is in decent condition despite having 10 to 15 years on it, you can probably wait for another 10 to 15 years to get your roof replaced. You just have to make sure you maintain it properly.
Simple maintenance can go a long way in keeping your roof in good shape. Clearing out dead leaves, debris, and snow will prevent erosion and pressure on your roof. Replacing loose shingles and patching up cracks will help your roof maintain its foundation. Clearing out your gutters and repairing gutter damage will allow water to flow out of your roof properly.
Ventilation Also Plays a Role
Many homeowners overlook the inside of their home when it comes to roofing issues. It might surprise you to learn that if your attic is too humid, the conditions can wear away your roof from the inside. You need to have proper ventilation to allow the hot air and moisture out. Heat rises to the top and humidity tends to build up in your attic. You need ventilation or a dehumidifier to get rid of the excess heat and moisture.
Don’t forget that attics that are too hot will result in your roof forming ice dams or the ice/snow melting too fast and seeping into the walls. There are simple installations like ridge and eave vents that you can invest in. These connect to a ventilation tube and help get rid of the hot air.
This is a general overview of how long a roof can last. As you can see, there are many factors in play that determine the lifespan of your roof. You want to identify what’s affecting your roof and make adjustments to maximize your home’s value.