Choose a roofing material
When choosing roofing material for your roof, consider the life of the roofing material as it determines the life of your roof before it is replaced. And this has an impact on long-term costs.
The life of a roof depends on many factors, including the style of the roof, the materials used and the climate of the area where the house is located. It is generally preferable to choose roofing products with almost the same lifespan to avoid piece-by-piece repairs over a period of ten to fifteen years. In most cases, roofing materials last about twenty years. This applies if the roof has been properly maintained and there has been no significant damage caused by inclement weather. Some materials have a lifespan of up to 50 years, while others last only 10 years. Here are some of the common roofing materials and their life span.
The average service life of an asphalt roof is 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Asphalt roofing materials are one of the most common types of roofing materials used throughout the country because of their low cost and ease of repair.
The average life of a fiberglass roof is 15 to 20 years. The fiberglass roof requires little maintenance and can be made in many styles and colors to give the owner the desired look. Roofs made of this material are resistant to water and mildew.
Many homes in the northeastern part of the nation use shakes and wooden shingles. These roofing materials will generally last about 15 to 20 years and could last up to 30 years if the shakes and shingles are well maintained.
Slate roofing materials are among the most durable roofing products on the market, with an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years.
A metal roof can last nearly 50 years. Metal roofing products are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles to look like other types of roofing materials such as tiles or wood shingles. These roofing products are almost indestructible to the weather and can be installed on the current roof.
A less known option is the rubber roof. It is easy to install, easy to maintain and durable. It can be a single sheet cut to fit the roof or shingles. The first rubber roof ever installed was in Wisconsin in 1980. It still does its job after nearly 30 years.