Home
Average Lifespan of Different Roofing Materials
Are you just about to have a new roof installed and wondering which type of roof will last you the longest? Any homeowner who’s thinking of reroofing will certainly want to pick a roof that’ll be sure to last a lifetime. This series will introduce you to the different types of roofing materials, their lifespans, and factors that could affect longevity.
Roofs come in a dizzying number of options — with materials like asphalt shingles, clay/concrete, metal, and slate being among the most commonly used in the US. Let’s take a look at each of their lifespans and learn which roof’s got the longest life expectancy.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles typically last around 20 years, but most come with warranties of just 10 years. They are also weather sensitive, meaning that if there’s a strong wind, there’s a chance you could lose a few pieces here and there.
Clay/Concrete
Clay or concrete roofing tiles will last over 100 years. The roofing material itself is solid, but when you’re using clay or concrete roof tile, you should bear in mind that the National Roofing Contractor’s Association recommends that they be placed atop a wooden roof deck, or atop 5/8-thick plywood. * Note that other materials, such as Oriented Standard Boards (OSB), preservative-treated wood, and fire retardant wood tend to deteriorate more rapidly when used as roof deck.
Slate
Slate roofs can last anywhere between 60 to 100 years. However, not many roofing contractors have the expertise to install them. Incorrect installation largely affects their lifespan. Additionally, slate roof tiles are brittle, so it is not advisable to walk on them.
Metal
Metal roofs also have a good lifespan of 40 to 80 years. The drawback to metal roofs is that they are noisy and prone to denting. If there’s a serious hailstorm, you can expect quite a bit of damage.
At this point, you probably already have an idea of which material to purchase if you want a roof that will last longer. However, you also need to know that the average lifespan alone isn’t a guarantee. A roof’s service life will also depend on other factors, which we will discuss in the next part of this series – so stay tuned!
