How Long Will My Roof Last?
Do you look at your roof some days and wonder, how long is it going to last before it must be fixed or replaced? Elite Remodeling Services in Minnesota can help you figure this out.
Your Roof’s lifespan is based on several variables, such as:
- What your roof is made of
- The type of roof
- How it was constructed and installed
- Ventilation
- Humidity and temperature levels
- Frequency of storms
Let’s look at this in more detail.
How do roofing shingles affect the roof’s lifespan?
Shingles are your basic roof building blocks — they take the punch as the outer layer of your roof. Made from different types of materials and combined with other factors listed above, shingles have a major impact on your roof’s lifespan. Asphalt shingles tend to be the most popular and budget-friendly. They look good, last long enough (up to about 25-30 years), and don’t cost a fortune to have professional roofers install.
If your shingles are the luxury type, made of tile, slate, or metal, the cost goes way up but so does the longevity of your roof (beyond 30 years). The neat, modern look won’t go out of fashion quickly, either.
Waterproofing
The waterproofing layer of the roof, also known as underlayment, is between the ceiling and the shingles. It is the last barrier to keeping water from leaking through. When it is properly installed, it should prevent water or ice accumulating on flat surfaces. If your waterproofing is of poor quality and incorrectly installed, build-up combined with a bad storm could eventually flood your roof, damaging or ending its lifespan.
Ventilation
What’s so important about keeping air moving through the roof? Proper ventilation prevents major temperature spikes when seasons change, reducing damage to the materials and the resulting maintenance efforts to fix it. Ventilation means keeping the roof cool enough during winter to keep from melting too much snow and ice. In summer, it needs to stay dry and warm enough to prevent condensation. Moisture damage and mold that can spread and rot the roof inside out.
The main principle is that all the factors working together — quality materials, proper installation, ventilation, and well-timed maintenance can extend the lifespan of your roof for many years.
Warranty and construction specifications
Remember to check that your warranty’s specifications match up with your current roof’s specifications. Consider details like type of nails, pre-installation cleaning requirements, ventilation guidelines, and more. If they don’t add up and a crisis occurs, you could have a real mess on your hands to get it sorted out.
If you’re worried your roof is nearing its expiration date, contact our qualified team at Elite Remodeling Services.
Based in Minnesota and serving the South Metro Area, we are well-equipped to inspect, clean, and repair residential and commercial roofs of all types and sizes. Give us a call today at (952) 646-2480 for a free inspection and no-obligation consultation. Find out what we can do for your roof!
