Do you have a new roof made of asphalt shingles? Wondering how long it will last? It is only natural for homeowners to want to get the longest possible life out of their brand-new roofs.
A roofer may assure you that it will last for 25 or 30 years, but you may be unconvinced. The truth is that you should get quite close to the manufacturer-recommended lifespan of your roofing materials, but there are a number of factors that affect how long an asphalt roof will last.
The Roof Doctors has been around to provide Northern California with asphalt roof installations since 1987. We know the ins and outs of asphalt roofing and can guarantee the longevity of your roof thanks to our skill and attention to detail.
Lucky for you, we’re here to explain how long an asphalt roof will last. Reading this will give you a decent understanding of how long an asphalt roof lasts and what elements affect it.
How long can you expect your asphalt roof to last?
If you’ve ever bought or built a house, you know roofing can be difficult and expensive. You should learn the roof’s age, its current condition, and any special requirements for the material and design.
You should also know how long an average roof lasts in your area and under typical weather conditions. Having the roof inspected prior to purchasing a home and on a regular basis thereafter is crucial.
That being said, you may be curious about the lifespan of a brand-new asphalt roof. You want your new roof to last as long as possible because it is a significant financial commitment.
Take a look at these five things that can shorten or lengthen the lifespan of your asphalt roof.
5 factors that determine how long your asphalt roof lasts
Knowing how long you can expect your asphalt roof to survive, you may move on to studying the variables that impact that lifespan. As such, you can take preventative measures to make sure your asphalt roof lasts for many years.
1. The type of asphalt shingles do you have installed
When properly ventilated and installed, the three main types of asphalt shingles should each last about 80% to 85% of their stated lifespan. These are 3-tab, dimensional, and premium asphalt shingles.
In other words, a 3-tab shingle roof lasts 20-22 years, while a dimensional shingle roof lasts 25-28 years. Life expectancy is relative to the quality of installation and the presence of ventilation on your roof.
3-tab shingles:
3-tab shingles have three asphalt tabs on each one and are made in a single, flat layer. These have a fiberglass base and are covered with mineral grains to disperse and reflect the sun’s rays.
Sloped roofs typically use 3-tab shingles because they are widely accessible, affordable, and durable (lasting anywhere from 10 to 20 years with a standard manufacturer warranty of 25). They’re perfect for households on a budget because of their low cost, portability, simplicity of installation, and streamlined aesthetic.
3-tab shingle roofs work best in temperate areas like the East Coast and Midwest. You may want to consider other options if you live in or are buying property in a place with very cold winters or frequent storms or blizzards.
Dimensional shingles:
Dimensional shingles, also known as architectural shingles, are made of fiberglass with a thin layer of asphalt that gives them a three-dimensional feel and appearance. Due to their exceptional durability, you can expect them to serve you for up to 25 years.
The warranties offered by most manufacturers for dimensional shingles are mostly 30 years. They are constructed with more than one layer of shingles for added reinforcement.
Therefore, you should probably plan on spending more money on them than you would on 3-tab shingles.
Premium shingles:
Premium asphalt shingles have a higher profile than 3-tab shingles, giving the roof more depth. They last longer, typically reaching 20 to 30 years on average. Premium shingles are generally more luxurious in appearance and are usually installed in high-end homes.
One advantage is that they are made to look like more expensive materials, like real slate shingles or cedar shake shingles, but they actually cost much less.
If you live in an area prone to severe weather, such as Tornado Alley, hurricanes, or frequent, huge hail, you may find these to be very useful. They can withstand around 110 MPH to 130 MPH of wind uplift, depending on how they are installed.
2. The quality of the roofer’s workmanship
Your contractor is a major factor in determining how long your asphalt roof lasts, whether you require minor fixes or a complete replacement. If you hire a reputable roofing company, you can be assured that you will receive high-quality service and roofing materials covered by manufacturer and workmanship warranties.
If you want to protect your roof investment, you need to hire a trustworthy roofing contractor. When you invest in quality roofing materials and have them expertly installed, your roof will last for as long as feasible.
For this reason, it is crucial to use a roofing contractor with a proven track record of quality installations. Improper installation methods can significantly shorten a roof’s lifespan, leading to an unnecessary replacement.
When searching for a local roofing contractor, it’s not enough to simply ask for references for previous jobs they’ve done.
3. The weather conditions in your area
Over the course of its lifetime, every roof will experience weather-related degradation. The rate at which your asphalt roof deteriorates is proportional to the severity of the weather where you live.
If you live in a region that experiences intense sunlight, such as southern California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, or Arizona, it’s important to know that your asphalt shingle roof may not survive as long as it would in the Midwest or Northeast.
This is because homes with asphalt roofs in warmer climates may be more vulnerable to thermal shock or heat-related problems that produce cracks, ultimately leading to the roof’s premature failure.
Additionally, if you reside in an area that regularly experiences tiny hail, your shingles will rapidly experience granular loss. Your asphalt roof’s lifespan will be shortened, and you won’t be able to make an insurance claim because of it.
So, if you live in a warm region with an asphalt shingle roof, you should have it examined more frequently. If you’re thinking of purchasing an asphalt shingle roof in a warm area, you should absolutely seek the seal of approval from a roofing professional first. There’s little you can do about the weather, but you should know that it will affect how long your roof lasts.
“In Montana where it is siginicantly colder with more violent storms than California I have installed a new shingle roof at the beginning of the season for a client and had to go back at the end of the season and reinstall a new roof. We had a straight wind blow through the Flathead Valley area that took the roof clean off! Sometimes no matter how well the roof was installed and fastened to the deck, storms will demolish your shingle roof.
Brendan Anderson | Roofer in Kalispell Montana
4. Do you have proper attic ventilation?
The health of your roof is primarily determined by how well your attic is ventilated. A well-ventilated attic helps maintain a comfortable temperature year-round by reducing the build-up of heat and moisture during different seasons.
Vents in the roof are essential for good air circulation because they allow you to get rid of the extra heat and moisture that can damage your property if left unchecked. Stopping the attic from getting too warm will save you money on your utility bills and lessen the chances of damaging ice dams building on your roof.
Areas with both hot summers and cold winters are susceptible to the impacts of both heat and moisture build-up in an attic, but for different reasons. Damage from extreme temperatures and moisture build-up in an unventilated attic can significantly reduce the lifespan of an asphalt roof.
A build-up of moisture in your attic can also lead to a roof leak if not checked. Furthermore, the manufacturer’s warranty on your roofing materials would be nullified due to inadequate ventilation.
5. Your asphalt roof’s maintenance
Do you remember the last time you went up on your roof? Have you noticed any rips or tears in the roof, or perhaps some lovely moss? If you are worried about the condition of your roof, you should have it inspected and serviced often.
The roof will remain wet if debris is allowed to accumulate there, and moss can continue growing. When shingles are constantly wet, they lose their ability to protect your home from the elements.
Therefore, preventative maintenance on your roof annually is an essential component of increasing the lifetime of your roof. You shouldn’t allow anything to accumulate on your roof, valleys, or gutter line and downspouts for the same reason, since this could lead to a leak in your roof.
When roofs are maintained on a routine basis, common roofing issues are detected and remedied as soon as possible, well before they are able to cause substantial harm.
Maintenance is perhaps the most important and most thing that most homenowners don’t know about. Think of your roof as a car. Every fove years have a roofer come out and maintain your roof. This can extend your roof’s lif up to ten years.
Tim Hoffman | Roofer in Columbia County, PA.
When should you replace your asphalt roof?
Having read this, you should know how long your asphalt roof should endure and the five factors that affect that. Knowing when to do so may help if you’re considering replacing it.
Fortunately, we have considered this in advance. Like any major purchase, knowing when to repair your asphalt roof is all about spotting the signs.
- The storm last night caused damage to your roof.
- A few shingles are missing from your roof.
- It’s been 20 years since you put asphalt on your roof.
- Damage to your roof is plain to see.
Asphalt shingles’ black asphalt top layer creates a waterproof, UV- and wind-proof cover over a base of organic material and cement fibers when heated by the sun. If your asphalt shingles are cracked, curled, or missing granules, they need to be repaired or replaced.
You should have a professional inspect your roof after 15 years, especially if you’ve had severe weather. It’s possible that a hailstorm, blizzard, or tornado might drastically reduce your roof’s lifespan, necessitating a replacement or extensive repairs.
Since 1987, The Roof Doctors have been offering their services to the people of Northern California and the surrounding areas. All of your roofing needs, from routine upkeep and repairs to complete replacement, can be handled by our trained and experienced crew.
If you want it done properly the first time, give us a call.
FAQ
In all likelihood, you haven’t given much thought to how the orientation of your home’s asphalt roof can affect its durability. However, the amount of time your roof spends in direct sunlight will determine its lifespan.
If your home’s roof faces east and west, you’ll enjoy an even amount of sunlight throughout the day. If it is south-facing, only that side will be exposed to sunshine all day and bear the elements’ brunt.
A roof’s wear and tear or susceptibility to deterioration may be more obvious on one side than the other. Most likely, this is due to the direction in which your home was built.
The lifespan of your asphalt roof will be affected by the weather, animals, and anything else exterior. You should discuss the possible impact of your roof’s orientation on its lifespan with your roofing company.
