Your roof is designed to withstand the elements year after year, but even the most durable roofs will eventually need to be replaced. While your roof’s lifespan can vary greatly depending on the material you or the previous owner have chosen, in general, a roof can last anywhere from 15 to 100 years if taken care of properly. We know that this is a pretty wide range to consider, so to help you better understand what you can expect from it, we’ll break down how long should a roof last by types of materials over this blog post. Keep reading to learn how long your roof should last and signs that it may need to be replaced.
How long should a roof last? A breakdown by material types
A roof’s lifespan can vary significantly depending on the material it was constructed with. While 15 to 100 years doesn’t give a very accurate picture of the lifespan of your specific roof type, it does provide a good indication of the durability that roofing materials have for protecting your home. The following list will give you a more accurate account of how long you can expect each type of roofing material to last.
- Asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
- Cedar shakes: 20 to 30 years
- Solar shingles: 20 to 30 years
- Green roofs: 20 to 40 years
- Synthetic slate: 40 to 50 years
- Stone-coated steel: 40 to 70 years
- Concrete tiles: 50 or more years
- Metal roofing: 50 to 70 years
- Clay tiles: 50 to 100 years
- Slate tiles: 100 or more years
As you can see from this list, slate tiles are one of the most durable types of roofing materials on the market. Still, for many homeowners that are not the first to live in their home, the previous owner might have already replaced the roof with their desired roofing material type. Hence, they decide to wait until it needs a replacement to choose their desired material.
How can a homeowner know when it’s time to replace their roof? By keeping an eye out for the following signs.
Signs that your roof needs to be replaced
1. Your roof is nearing the end of its expected lifespan
If you can determine when your roof was last replaced, and it is nearing the age of replacement based on the material type, then it may be time to start thinking about replacement. An excellent way to determine if it needs to be replaced is by hiring a professional roofer to do an inspection.
2. There is noticeable damage to the shingles
If you notice that your roof’s shingles are starting to bend, crack, curl, or that shingles are missing, these could all be signs that you need a roof replacement. A professional roofer can help you determine if it can be salvaged or if a total replacement is necessary.
3. Your roof is starting to sag
A sagging roof is one of the best indications for a needed roof replacement due to the severity of the situation. A sagging roof indicates that water has been putting pressure on your it for too long, and your it has reached its limit. Without immediate intervention, your roof could even collapse without replacement.
If you’re interested in learning more about how long should a roof last or how often you should replace a roof, check out this article by Apple Roofing.
As a local roofing company specializing in residential roofing and repairs, you can trust our experienced professional roofers when you work with Summit Roofing Solutions LLC. We also specialize in roofing repair after hail storms, so if you need a new roof due to damage caused by hail, we are happy to assist you in getting a new one. We serve Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, and all of Northern Colorado. Call 970-381-9926 to contact us about scheduling your roofing replacement or for a free estimate. We look forward to working with you soon!
Check out this 5-star review from one of our recent clients, Susan Buderus.
“Summit Roofing was professional, responsive, and completed the project on time. They also made it extremely easy to choose a design and color of roofing material that would work with your home. I would highly recommend them.”
You may also be interested in: How To Find a Trustworthy Local Roofer.
