When it comes to selecting a new roof, there are a variety of colors and designs available to fit any home style. But choosing the right roofing material is more than just picking a color. It's important to choose a material that is adapted to the climate of the region and the slope of the roof. In the US, asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material and are expected to last between 15 and 25 years.
However, there are different types of asphalt shingles, and some can last even longer. Slate, copper and tile roofs, which are at the higher end of the price spectrum, can last more than 50 years. In general, roofs can last between 20 and 100 years, depending on the materials used, the quality of the workmanship and the climate. If your property is located in an area where hurricanes are likely to occur, then you'll want to invest in a fully bonded membrane roofing system rather than a single-layer, mechanically fixed membrane roof, as it's more likely to withstand the winds and water of a hurricane. Tin roofs can also last more than 50 years barring any type of disaster or emergency.
Homeowners considering replacing their roof as their next home improvement project might be surprised to receive higher-than-expected estimates. Making a full copper roof is expensive, so many homeowners choose to place it only on part of the roof, for example above a mansard window. Another affordable option for metal roofs are ribbed metal panels, which offer many of the same benefits, but work well on steeper or gabled roofs. Clay roofing shingles, commonly designed in a Mediterranean or Southwest style, are a popular roofing material and can also mimic Victorian slate. A tin roof system might also be the best option if you want the durability of a metal roof but don't have the budget or the penchant for zinc or copper. It's always a good idea to have a professional roofing team install a roof, but for dedicated and capable DIYers, asphalt roofs are the easiest to install.
Those who live in particularly humid or humid climates and are considering replacing asphalt roofs may want to invest in algae resistant shingles manufactured especially for this purpose. If your roof is relatively new and you have problems such as shingles bending and buckling, granules that come off asphalt shingles, lack of shingles or other similar problems, your roof may be defective and you should contact the roofers in your area or the contractor who built or installed it as well as your insurance company. If you witness these signs, you'll definitely want to look for a new roof or at least contact a roofing contractor to have it evaluated. A professional roof inspection can help you answer these questions and more. You can also visually examine the roof yourself to see if there are curved or bent shingles, missing shingles, damaged shingles, damage to gutters or seals around chimneys, skylights or dormers, granules or debris in gutters or around the ground near your home and other signs of future problems. If you're older, have settled in your permanent home and know that your roof is around 20 years old then you might want to put up a new roof and forget about it. Asphalt shingles that were once dry and brittle can work like new again thanks to Roof Maxx's innovative roof rejuvenation. When installed by a quality roofing company many types of roofs last more than 15 years; some can hold up well for 50 years or more barring a heavy storm or the fall of a large tree.
Knowing how long your roof will last is essential for budget planning and making sure your home is safe from weather damage.
