Every homeowner or commercial building owner should have a rough idea of how long their roof can last so they can be sure to plan ahead to replace it when the time comes. Even if your roof isn’t due to be replaced soon, you should still keep an eye out for any damage your roof might have incurred that might need to be repaired. If you think your roof might need to be repaired or replaced, don’t hesitate to call us at (903) 387-2344 and we can schedule a free inspection of your roof.

What Is the Average Lifespan of Your Roof?

The average lifespan of a roof depends largely on the roofing material used. Among all types of roofs, those made from shingles have the shortest lifespan. Your roof’s life expectancy also depends on the climate conditions, the roof gradient, and the materials’ quality.

The following factors determine the lifespan of your roof:

1. Type of Roofing Material

Apart from the type of roofing material, its quality greatly determines the roof’s lifespan. If you are constructing the house from scratch, you should buy costlier but high-quality impact resistant or designer style asphalt shingles. As an alternative to asphalt shingles, you may choose a more long lasting composition material such as recycled rubber or metal in order to save money on roof maintenance or roof replacement. Apart from the type of roofing material you should only hire highly-qualified roof installation experts.

2. Roof Color

Dark-colored roofs are more sensitive to temperature changes, absorbing lots of heat. In states like Texas, with a warm climate, it is advisable to consult with your roofer on the optimal attic ventilation system to offset the slightly higher temperatures due to darker shingles. That will help boost your roof’s lifespan and save you a lot of stress.

3. Roof Installation Workmanship

One way to improve a roof’s life expectancy is by asking a professional roofing contractor such as Hopkins Custom Roofing to install it. If you opt for a shoddy job, you may save money in the short-term but deal with an expensive roof replacement in the future. Make sure you hire someone who has a good understanding of your roofing system and how to customize it to withstand our Texas climate.

4. Nearby Trees and Vegetation

Do you have trees and vegetation near your roof? When branches break off the trees and fall on the roof, you will likely have damaged asphalt shingles and even the roof deck itself. Also, as the winds blow throughout the year overhanging branches from nearby trees and shrubs will rub the UV ray blocking shingle granules away and expose the asphalt backing directly to the sun creating a potential leak point in your roof. Extreme weather conditions such as tornados with hail and strait line winds can make entire trees fall on your roof, lifting and tearing the shingles or destroying portions of your roof. The result is expensive roof repairs, involving the replacement of expensive shingles.

6. Climate Conditions

Texas has a hot, humid, and sometimes rainy climate with severe thunder and hail storms, which affects how long the roof will last. As we mentioned earlier, the hot weather can be mitigated somewhat by installing a proper ventilation system to prolong its life expectancy. In this case, comp roofs with more resilient hail and wind ratings will perform better than other types of basic asphalt shingles.

7. Roof Orientation

Roof orientation is about the direction in which it faces. The worst is the east-to-west orientation, which exposes your roof to constant sunlight throughout the day. This may diminish the lifespan of your roof, making it last for a shorter time.

Average Lifespan of Different Roof Materials

Now that we have discussed the factors that determine your roof’s life expectancy, it’s time to break it down in terms of the materials used. Here is how long you can expect your roof to last based on the various roofing materials:

How long does an asphalt roof last?

On average, asphalt shingle roofs can last anywhere between 15 to 30 years. The lifespan of your asphalt shingle roof can fall to any of the extremes or in between based on the weather, climate, workmanship, and so on. In Texas, asphalt shingles tend to last between 18-25 years. People also love these asphalt shingles for being quick and straightforward to install.

How long does a roof last if it features asphalt shingles? Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used in the united states, owing to their affordability, durability, and quick installation. Thus, it is the number one shingle option, ending up on 80 percent of all new houses in the States. Asphalt shingles feature durable materials like asphalt, SBS, and fiberglass. Their durability protects roofing structures against rain, wind, snow, and UV rays. In Texas, protection against harsh UV rays is the most important thing about the shingle roof. On average, asphalt shingles roof systems cost anywhere between $300 and $500 per square.

There are different types of asphalt shingle roofs, which you can use for roofing, including the following:

• 3-tab shingle roof, which last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Thus, 3-tab shingles seem to be the least durable in this category.
• Dimensional or architectural shingles, which are higher-quality, lasting 20 to 25 years. The shingles are two-ply thus heavier and thicker making them last longer than the 3-tab shingle.
• Impact Resistant and Luxury shingles, which last from 25 to 50 years. If this is your preferred shingle-option, you should be ready to pay a premium price. The shingles may cost more but they last much longer. Often manufactures will add SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene), which means the asphalt is blended with polymer, creating a more flexible, thermal-resistant and crack-resistant product. The (SBS) polymers add rubber-like characteristics that can limit storm damage from wind and hail possibly qualifying homeowners for insurance discounts.

Asphalt roof shingles require you to maintain or replace them when the deterioration worsens. Signs you need a new roof include cracked, dislodged, or missing roof shingles. Thus, you will have to ask a professional to help you evaluate the roof condition and possible install a brand new shingle roof.

How long does a metal roof last?

Are you considering installing a metal roof? If you opt for a metal roof, you should be prepared to pay a premium price.

That’s because metal roofs can last anywhere between 40 to 50 years. The primary determining factor is the gauge or thickness of the metal forming the roofing material. In that case, the most affordable is the 26-to-29-gauge metal roofing with a 20 to 25 years lifespan. High-end metal roofing, on the other hand, has a 22-to-24-gauge rating because of its longevity. The lifespan for metal roofs can drastically increase to 100 years with premium metals such as copper.

The following are the different types of metal roofing systems and the life expectancy provided by each one of them:

• The standing seam metal roofing, which is one of the most commonly used roof types for commercial application and some homes. Life expectancy for standing seam systems can be as high as 50 years and can resist 100-miles-per-hour winds.
• Ribbed metal panels, fastened with exposed screws are less weather resistant and cheaper than standing seam roofing can last for 25 to 50 years
• Stone-coated steel tiles work well in hurricane-prone areas. The roof can last from 30 to 50 years. In terms of durability, stone-coated steel is more robust than ribbed metal roofs and some manufacturers claim it can withstand 155-miles-per-hour winds.

Metal roofing materials require little or no maintenance. To know if you need a new roof, watch out for signs such as leaking roofs, roof leak damage, discoloration, and widespread rust.

How long does a tile roof last?

Clay tile roofing can last for 50 to 100 years and have more than 30 years of manufacturer warranties. Tile roofing is one of the best when it comes to providing a long-life expectancy. They could either be clay tile roofs or slate tile roofs, depending on your choice. They feature cured clay, which is weatherproof, rot-resistant, and fire-resistant. They are ideal because of their ability to withstand UV rays. Regular maintenance for these roofs involves regular inspection and cleaning to avoid mold, moss, and algae growth.

Clay tiles roofing systems can cost between $750 to $1200 per square depending on the tile to install. That could be a little expensive, but it will be long before you have to look for a roof replacement. Signs you need clay tile roof replacement include chipped tiles, cracked tiles, roof leaks, tile pieces in gutters, and attic water stains.

The alternative to clay tile roofs is slate roofs, which are equally good if not better. A slate roof can last for 75 to 200 years and come with 50-year warranties. Slate roofs can withstand extreme weather conditions like high-speed winds and fluctuating temperatures. Because of their structure, slate tiles require no maintenance and don’t retain any moisture. Since slate tiles are heavy, its installation should only happen on a sturdy roof structure. When you notice signs such as cracked shingles, missing shingles, and water damage to the slate, then you should have the system inspected and be prepared to repair or possibly replace the roof.

How To Increase Your Roof’s Lifespan?

The key to an extended roof life expectancy is regular maintenance, especially if it has lasted for many years. It is also essential to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof for leaks, broken tiles, missing shingles, and so on. If the top has outlived its lifespan, then you should consider replacing it. At Hopkins Custom Roofing, we can help you choose suitable materials for the East Texas area and work to ensure that your roof will last for years to come.