Every roof is expected to last a certain number of years. Standard asphalt shingle roofs are expected to last 20 to 30 years, metal roofs 50 years, tile and slate 100 years or more. However, these years are not absolute, and it is entirely possible for a roof to have a shorter or longer life span depending on certain factors. In today’s post, Earl W. Johnston Roofing takes a look at these factors.
Materials
Roofing materials have varying inherent durability that ultimately contributes to the roof’s life span. This is why roofs have expected service lives — materials get worn out to a certain point, and some materials happen to be more resistant to wear than others. Fortunately, most of today’s roofing materials benefit from hindsight through years of real-world usage, which makes for more accurate estimates of their service lives.
Installation Quality
Roofing contractor workmanship is a key factor in a roof’s service life just as much as the materials themselves. After all, even the best quality materials are more likely to fail when improperly installed. Take roofing nails as an example. They’re relatively small components compared to flashing and ridge caps, yet uneven placement of fasteners often result in weak spots in the roof, making them vulnerable to damage that can shorten their service life. When hiring a roofing contractor, make sure that their warranty includes coverage for workmanship, or at least a quality guarantee that has coverage for more than a year.
Maintenance
Keeping up with scheduled maintenance, as well as regular inspections, can go a long way in getting the most years out of your roof. The point of maintenance is to identify signs of potential problems, as well as repair small ones, because continued exposure to the elements will only make such problems worse. Consequently, roofs that lack maintenance are more prone to early failure.
Poorly-maintained roofs also tend to be more costly to fix because manufacturers require maintenance to qualify for warranty coverage, and in most cases, lack of maintenance can result in a voided warranty. Insurance repairs may also involve higher deductibles and/or premiums; insurers tend to frown upon lack of maintenance because it’s considered a form of neglect.
Learn more about how you can get the most years out of your roof by calling Earl W. Johnston Roofing at (954) 989-7794. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.
