How Long Do Roofs Last? 5 Roof Types and Their Lifespans (2023)

FAQs

What is the lifespan of a roof? ›

Slate, copper and tile roofs, which are on the upper end of the price spectrum, can last more than 50 years. Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found.

The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) rates slate as by far the longest lasting roofing material, with a life expectancy of 150+ years, followed closely by clay and concrete at roughly 100 years.

While clay roof tiles have been used on roofs for centuries, concrete tiles have become more widespread over the last half a century. Manufacturers of both clay and concrete roof tiles typically guarantee their products for 30 years but often suggest that 60 years is a reasonable expectation of their service life.

They stand up better to weather conditions such as heat, snow, ice, rain, and strong winds. Their average lifespan is about 18 to 20 years. However, they may last up to 30 years under optimal conditions. When 3-tab shingles are exposed regularly to severe weather, they may last about 7 to 10 years.

Metal roofs offer many benefits, including: Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material.

A properly maintained flat roof can last for decades, depending on the materials. A built-up roof or layers of modified bitumen can last for up to 20 years. Lightweight thermoplastic polyolefin or spray-on coatings of polyurethane foam, acrylic or silicon have a similar lifespan.

Grade 1 clay roof tiles have the potential to last 100 years or more. Ludowici Clay Roof tiles are commonly known to go well beyond 100 years.

Clay and concrete are by far two of the longest lasting roof tile materials available to buy. With a potential life expectancy of over 100 years, many clay and concrete roof tiles even outlive the property they've been installed on. Slate tiles are another top-level choice in terms of longevity.

Tile roofs installed with base flashings only, where gaps exist or cement was used to fill them, can expect to be replaced between years 15 and 25. Roofs with top flashings only will likely last 40-50 years.

Both light-colored and dark-colored shingles can last longer if given the necessary maintenance. The only thing tested and proven about light-colored shingles is that they help us keep the indoor temperature cooler in the hot summer season.

What are the longest lasting roof shingles? ›

Of the 3 types of asphalt shingles, the longest lasting are luxury (or premium) asphalt shingles. Luxury asphalt shingles are larger and thicker than 3-tab or architectural shingles, which makes them more durable.

They're getting phased out.

Due to being outdated and of lower quality, most reputable roofing contractors will only install 3-tab shingles when that's the only way to match other shingles or when Homeowners' Associations specifically require them.

The most durable types of roofing are slate and clay tiles but they're more expensive than materials like metal or wood. Functional roofing alternatives like green roofs and solar shingles are among the most expensive types. Replacing an old roof is one of the best and most profitable ways to invest in a home.

The typical life of a wood shingle roof is 30-40 years. Similarly, a good quality, properly-installed wood shake roof has a life expectancy of 20-40 years.

Metal roofs are the most durable of all types of residential and commercial roofs. The life expectancy of a metal roof is between 50 and 100 years, and some manufacturers claim they can last almost indefinitely.

How Long Do Copper Roofs Last? A copper roof lasts much longer than traditional roofs such as a replacement asphalt shingle roof. New copper roofs can last from 60 to 100 years with little maintenance needed throughout their lifespan.

Steel buildings face fewer issues with deterioration and corrosion than concrete or wood, and can out live other structures when properly built and maintained. Most steel buildings last anywhere from 50 to 100 years.

A flat membrane roof lasts 25-30 years, depending on the type you choose. To be a little more specific, you should get around 25 years out of a TPO membrane or PVC membrane flat roof. On the other hand, an EPDM roofing membrane is more durable than the other two and should last around 25 to 30 years.

Flat roofs, or "low-slope" roofs, are also commonly found on commercial buildings throughout the world. The National Roofing Contractors Association defines a low-slope roof as having a slope of 3 in 12 (1:4) or less.

A well-installed rubber roof is incredibly durable, lasting between 40 and 50 years if properly maintained. Of course, rubber roofs will last much longer if installed with proper drainage in mind.

How often do clay roofs need to be replaced? ›

Generally, your roof's average service life depends on the type of material it's constructed from—clay or concrete tiles can usually last 20 to 30+ years, and potentially even longer as long as they're well-maintained and small problems aren't allowed to sit and grow.

While asphalt shingles come with warranties of 20 to 30 years, their lifespan in Florida is much shorter. High-quality architectural shingles have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Conversely, 3-tab shingles are expected to last 10 to 12 years. Tile roofs in Florida last from 25 years to 50 years.

Concrete. Concrete tiles are heavier than clay and are more durable. The expected lifespan of concrete tiles is, on average, about 50 years.

To avoid a serious fall, only walk on completely dry tiles. For steep roofs, use a safety harness that will anchor you to the roof in case you slip. Soft-rubber-soled shoes, like sneakers, will limit breakage and give you better traction on the slippery tiles, compared to heavy shoes or boats.

SRI tiles for weather proof

Patented in design with a reasonable choice of colours and designs, SRI tiles are glazed to achieve maximum whiteness and scratch resistance. The glossy matt finish is embossed and delivers an anti-skid surface as well. The grooves are also glossy and this facilitates easy cleaning.

Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years. Wood Shingles: 20-25 years. Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years. Metal Roofs: 50-75 years.

Do Cracked Roof Tiles Need to Be Replaced? Cracked roof tiles absolutely need to be replaced. Having broken tiles, even just one or two, can cause major issues with your roof and your home.

Roof tiles can be susceptible to leaks caused by various problems depending on the installation workmanship, the quality of the tile itself, top flashing, maintenance, and age. Typically, the way the leak is repaired will differ depending on the actual cause of the issue.

The most expensive type of roofing material is slate.

For labor and materials, you can expect the cost of a slate roof to start around $15.00 per square foot and has the potential to get up to around $30.00 or more per square foot.

Best of all, green roofs are considered energy-efficient and naturally reduce the heat island effect. They also add oxygen back into the air, making them particularly important for large urban sprawls and areas that experience high traffic congestion.

What color roof is the coolest? ›

White roofing products stay coolest in the sun, reflecting about 60 – 90% of sunlight.

Can solar panels make your roof last longer? Actually, yes! When you install solar panels, , they act as a stellar protectant for your roof, which can actually extend its life.

They may discontinue a specific color or an entire line of shingles for a variety of reasons, including changes in the manufacturing process, a lack of sales or the need to free up production for a more lucrative product.

20-year shingles or 3-tab shingles, aren't recommended often. Because of this, they are used less frequently, and therefore they are generally special order only.

Traditional asphalt shingles offer great durability, especially in mild climates. But if you live in an area that is particularly windy or prone to extreme winter weather, architectural shingles provide superior protection against these elements.

According to most roofing experts, a standard roof should last between 20-25 years, depending on the initial installation and upkeep. If your roof is reaching the end of its life expectancy or is in a bad state of repair, you must arrange to have it replaced to avoid any damage to the interior of your home.

Concrete, clay, and slate tiles have an average lifespan of 100 or more years. They are without a doubt the materials that last the longest but are also, bar none, some of the most expensive. Slate roofs are often called the “forever roof” because they can last seemingly forever.

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding how long a 50-year roofing shingle could last. Sure, the product label says it will last you for 50 years, but in reality, installing these shingles in roof systems would last you between 30 to 40 years at best (if you are lucky enough for you're flashing to ask that long).

For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, that's 25-years. As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.

Can you replace a roof tile from inside? ›

Many customers ask us this question, but unfortunately, it's not possible to remove or replace a broken roof tile from underneath. If you're not comfortable with working at height and replacing your roof tile from the outside, we'd recommend hiring a qualified professional to do the job.

Drips. Water dripping from the ceiling might be the most obvious sign that your roof has a leak. However, you may not always be able to see it clearly; if you hear dripping sounds but can not pinpoint exactly where they come from, it is likely that you have a leak inside the walls of your home.

Do your gutters need to be removed during a roof replacement? Most customers usually replace their gutters when they replace their roof. However, if your gutters are fairly new or the material's integrity is holding strong, you probably aren't replacing them during your roof replacement.

The most durable types of roofing are slate and clay tiles but they're more expensive than materials like metal or wood. Functional roofing alternatives like green roofs and solar shingles are among the most expensive types. Replacing an old roof is one of the best and most profitable ways to invest in a home.

Both light-colored and dark-colored shingles can last longer if given the necessary maintenance. The only thing tested and proven about light-colored shingles is that they help us keep the indoor temperature cooler in the hot summer season.

Shingles Do Not Have a Guarantee

The truth is, a 30-year shingle will not really last 30 years. The expected service life of a 30-year product, if properly cared for, is approximately 25 years. If it's not cared for properly, that 30 year shingle will only last 12 to 15 years.

The average lifespan of different types of roofs include: 15-30 years for asphalt shingles. 20-50 years for composite shingles. 30 years for modified rubber shingles.

There are many kinds of shingles out there with an array of colors to select. Shingles also come in different sizes and weights. Yet, one thing seems to be common between all shingle brands—that there are 30-year, 40-year, 50-year, and limited lifetime warranties available.