The roof protects your family from outdoor elements, helps regulate ventilation, and supports the structural integrity of your home. Given its constant exposure to environmental conditions, however, your roof can experience more than its fair share of wear and tear. Scheduling regular maintenance is essential for preserving the integrity of your roof. To plan your maintenance schedule, it is also helpful to know the life expectancy of your roof. A look at the lifespan of different kinds of roofing materials can help you make well-informed decisions for consistent maintenance and routine repairs.
What Is the Lifespan of Different Types of Roofing Materials?
As homeowners, it is important to remain knowledgeable about different types of roofing construction materials. This can help you choose high-quality products that withstand environmental conditions and safeguard your home. Common types of roofing materials include asphalt, metal, wood, clay, or slate.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingle roofing has a lifespan of 15-30 years. Due to its diversity and affordability, asphalt is among the most popular types of roofing installed on new homes today. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), nearly 80% of new homes built during the early 2020s received asphalt shingles. Composed of an asphalt coating over a base of either fiberglass or organic materials like cellulose, asphalt roofing provides reliable protection from precipitation as well as harsh ultraviolet rays. These shingles are available in a variety of hues, textures, and styles. This makes them suitable for a host of different architectural designs. Because asphalt shingles also work well across different climates and conditions, this option is a solid choice for construction methods across the country. The final lifespan for each home depends on the quality of installation and proper maintenance each year.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has a lifespan of 40-70 years. This roofing is popular due to its durability and energy efficiency. Metal has an excellent solar reflectance index (SRI) and thermal emissivity. The solar reflectance index refers to the roof’s ability to reflect sunlight and reject harsh UV rays. Thermal emissivity describes the roof’s ability to discharge heat and radiation instead of letting it seep into the home. Roofs with a good solar reflectance index and thermal emissivity are great for homes in sunny, warm, or tropical climates. Metal roofing is also highly recyclable, making it an attractive choice for environmentally conscious buyers.
Common metal materials used include steel, tin, aluminum, copper, or zinc. In general, the gauge or thickness of the metal used can also impact the life expectancy of a roof. According to the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, metal with greater thickness offers more protection than materials of lesser thickness. Finally, the life expectancy of a metal roof can ultimately depend on proper installation, maintenance, and protection against corrosion.
Wood Shingle Roofing
Wood shingles are made of thin wedges of natural bark such as cedar, redwood, or yellow pine. These shingles create roofs that are visually appealing and environmentally friendly. Wood shingles are popular in the construction of cottages, chateaus, and Tudor-style homes. According to industry data, the lifespan of a wood roof is around 30 years. An expert roofer can pressure-treat wood with preservatives to help ensure its resistance to heat or rain. Wood material like redwood or cedar can also have natural weather-resistant properties. Regular inspections are crucial for identifying and replacing any split or cracked shingles immediately. Routine maintenance can also help keep your wood shingles free of moss or grasses.
Clay Tile Roofing
Clay roofs are famous for their ability to repel heat and keep homes cool. This makes them the traditional standard for buildings located in hot regions. As a poor heat conductor, clay is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation and also has insulating properties for sustaining thermostat temperatures within the home. Clay roofing materials range from terracotta to ceramic. According to the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRIA), clay roofing has an excellent lifespan that can exceed 50 years. Regular maintenance can help prevent cracks or breakages and ensure the roof’s integrity and longevity.
Concrete Tile Roofing
Concrete roofs offer heat resistance and insulating properties similar to clay roofs. In addition, concrete roofing is also popular because craftsmen can design, tint, or paint the material to resemble other styles. For example, you can find concrete tile that mimics the visual appeal of stone, sand, slate, or wood but retains the inherent durability of concrete. Moreover, concrete is fire-resistant and wind-resistant, and it will not rot from exposure to moisture. Concrete tiles come in three main shapes: flat tile, low-profile tile, and high-profile tile. According to the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance, the general lifespan of a concrete roof is 50 years.
Slate Roofing
Slate is a refined metamorphic rock derived from volcanic ash or regional clay. As a much sought-after construction material, slate tile has remained a popular form of roofing for thousands of years. Slate has an extremely low water absorption index and also resists ultraviolet light, pigment fading, windstorms, fire, or erosion. The standard life expectancy of a slate roof is 100 years. Historically, well-maintained slate roofs have demonstrated lifespans of 200 years or longer.
Why Is Maintenance Important for Prolonging the Lifespan of Any Roofing Material?
The best way to keep your roof functional for as long as possible is to establish a consistent maintenance plan. This allows experts to locate and resolve problems long before they result in the complete deterioration of your roof. According to the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association (NRCIA), the number-one cause of sudden roofing emergencies is the mistake of neglecting maintenance. Regular maintenance can include routine inspections, debris removal, gutter cleaning, and annual repairs.
Routine Inspections
Routine inspection allows a professional to evaluate the overall condition of your roof. For example, a roof can identify gaps, tearing, or structural bending you may never have known existed. Roofers also have the expertise to check piping, flashing, and chimneys. They can apply various types of treatments to boost the longevity of roofing materials. For safety reasons, you should never attempt to climb or conduct these inspections yourself. Roofers have the equipment necessary to complete these tasks safely. Following inspections, roofers can also provide documentation that may help you honor the terms of your warranty.
Debris or Organic Buildup Removal
Roofers have the expertise to properly remove moss, algae, and other organic materials that can destroy your roof. You should never attempt to do this with harsh chemicals or sharp tools since these items can weaken the roof’s structure. By removing debris from your roof’s valleys, professionals can also help prevent sagging or dams that can eventually result in structural collapse. Finally, a professional can also trim overhanging trees to stop organic debris from building up on your roof in the future.
Gutter Cleaning
Clogged or overflowing gutters can speed up the degradation of roofing materials and shorten the lifespan of your roofing system. Fortunately, professional gutter cleaning can remove any accumulated debris and help redirect rainwater or moisture away from your roof.
Increase Curb Appeal
Consistent maintenance may help retain the value and aesthetic quality of your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, a well-maintained roof can increase curb appeal by 40%. If you plan to sell the home in the future, regular maintenance enables you to provide documentation to potential buyers. This may help raise the overall resale value of your home.
Repairs
According to the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association, around 77% of roof inspections result in the need for minor repairs. These repairs can include expertly patching leaks or minor cracks. Even the smallest roof leaks can result in thousands of dollars in water damage or in heating or cooling costs. Small leaks can also expand and eventually compromise the structural integrity of the home. By correcting the problems early, you can ensure that your roof lives up to its full potential.
Contact Us Today
Choosing the right roofing material can ensure peace of mind and help safeguard the home. Xtreme Roofing & Construction provides roofing services for homes in Sanford, FL and surrounding areas. We offer premium roofing installation, inspections, maintenance, and repairs. Our roofers work with asphalt, metal, wood, slate, and other roofing materials. We also provide guttering services. Whether you own a home or commercial property, we can assess everything from storm damage to solar panel installation. Contact Xtreme Roofing & Construction today for all roofing needs.
