You work hard to keep a roof over your head so the practical side of you wants to know how long it is going to last.
A properly designed, carefully crafted and professionally installed roofing system should give your home solid protection for about 20 years, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association.
Things like extreme weather, environmental conditions and substandard materials and craftsmanship can diminish that lifespan. Other factors that can affect a roof’s lifespan are intangibles such as hail storms, falling limbs and gutters that are undersized or kept full of debris.
Roofing systems using materials like slate, clay, and metals like copper can offer an even longer roof lifecycle of nearly 50 years.
But, if you are like most homes in the Mid-Atlantic your roof is going to be made of either an asphalt shingle product or wood or shakes.
Stages of roof’s lifespan:
Unwrap the materials for a roof system and by the installation of the final shingle- your roof has begun its lifecycle. The environment, weather and other factors can make it age more rapidly.
A Young Roof:
Chemical changes in your roof due to exposure to the elements begins immediately. This can change the appearance of the shingles as they adjust to the sun, cold and frequency of wet weather. Some shingles may be seen to curl along the edges and lose granules as there is an adjustment to the wear of the roof in its environment. This early stage is called the curing phase and lasts about 2 years.
Middle Aged Roof:
At this stage in a roof’s lifespan surface cracks can develop. There will be some minimal loss of granules. Ongoing preventative maintenance is key at this period in a roof’s lifecycle. Keep the roof clean of mold and debris. Pay attention to clogged gutters and watch for missing shingles caused by weather. This stages typically lasts 2-15 years.
Late Stage Roof:
As roofs enter the end of their functionality, professional inspection is imperative to preventing roof failure. Start the conversation with a trusted, insured, professional roofer like the experts at Thompson Creek so you have the ability to plan and schedule a re-roofing project. A professional can determine if you can make minor repairs to a damaged roof or if it more economical to re-roof your home for maximum security.
Extending your roof’s lifespan
One of the keys to extending the life of your roof is making sure to have it inspected every year. Roof inspectors can check for cracked, warped or missing shingles as well as loose seams and poorly functioning gutters. All these factors can contribute to roof system deterioration and a roof’s early demise.
Keeping an eye on some interior signs of a roofing system deterioration can also help you fix an issue with the roof before it becomes a major repair.
Check out this list of symptoms of a failing roof.
Five Factors That Can Affect a Roof’s Lifespan
Annual maintenance
of your roof to check for damage, debris or missing shingles is key to extending its lifespan. A visual inspection from the ground is great, but it’s also important to let a professional take a closer look at its integrity as well.
Attic ventilation
is a key component to a properly-functioning roof. Without adequate attic ventilation hot air and condensation gets trapped in the attic area and compromise your home’s roofing system.
Mother nature
can affect how long an asphalt shingle roof will last. Extreme temperatures, damaging wind and storms can cause wear and tear on your shingle roof. Direct sunlight can speed up the deterioration of your home’s asphalt roof so the direction your home faces in relation to the sun can affect the shingles on that section of your house.
Undersized gutters or broken gutter systems
can lead to damage of your home’s roofing system.
Direct sunlight
can speed up the deterioration of your home’s asphalt roof so the direction your home faces in relation to the sun can affect the shingles on that section of your house.
Quality roofing materials and installation
are key to a how long a shingle roof will last. Installed correctly and using premium materials, your asphalt shingle roof will last longer.
A roofing system guarantee
A new roof in most cases will come with two types of warranties- one from the shingle manufacturer and a second from the company installing the roof.
Shingle manufacturers’ most likely offer a warranty that covers defects in the manufacturing of the shingle. The period of coverage can range from 20 years to a lifetime. You can find more information about shingle warranties here. Your roofing contractor should provide you with a warranty certificate for your records.
The second warranty comes directly from your roofing contractor. This one covers the installation of the roof and other issues that have to do with the workmanship of the project and not the materials. The warranty should contain what items are covered and what will void them.
What gets tricky is when a roofing company hires subcontractors to work on your project. Who is liable for the work if it is subpar?
At Thompson Creek we think it is important that you know who is working on your home and who to call if you have an issue. Our No-Hassle Warranty is designed to safeguard your investment for up to 50 years after installation. And if you sell your home, that warranty transfers to the new owners.
If your home’s roof has fallen into disrepair, give Thompson Creek a call at (888)696-7105 for a no-obligation quote for a total roof replacement! All Thompson Creek exterior products are professionally installed by experts using our proprietary installation methods while providing the highest quality roofing materials to ensure your roof will outlast our warranty.