Thompson Home Improvement has clients call us to schedule roof estimates all the time; where the client is completely certain the roof even needs to be replaced. As with many roofing related questions, there can be many answers to the question, “How often should my roof be replaced?” The first thing to consider is what is the material that is currently on your roof? Is it Metal? Is it Asphalt Shingles? Is it flat roofing? Is it a coating? Is it Cedar Shake? Or is it Metal? All these materials have a different answer, so today we are going to focus on asphalt shingle roofing.
A quality asphalt shingle roof, installed per manufacturer specifications, with an appropriate roof system for ventilation and dry materials should last you 25-30 years. With proper roof maintenance over its lifespan, it could last even longer. Materials used for roofing products are evolving to elongate their functionality. But there are many factors that can contribute to a shorter lifespan of a roof as well.
Sometimes roofs can experience premature de-granulation. Where the shingles lose their granules, exposing the mat base to UV can cause the shingle to break down entirely at a much faster rate. Sometimes when this happens it is a manufacturer defect, or it has to do with the climate where the roof has been installed.
Another huge factor for the premature breakdown of a roof is underperforming or non-existent, exhaust and or ventilation systems. It is important that appropriate intake and exhaust ratios are installed to vent the attic space, insulation factors also play a role. Ice damming, tree debris and storms can also all play a role in the premature expiration of a roof.
If you are concerned that your roof may need to be replaced prematurely, or that it is breaking down prematurely, the best thing to do is to hire a qualified roofing company to come out and evaluate. Thompson Home Improvement would recommend having more than one party evaluate. Not all companies are honest about the life expectancy of an existing roof. Many companies are looking for work; not to pass it up.
Thompson Home Improvement has been called out to quote many roofs prematurely, and we always provide an honest estimate for the remaining lifespan of a roof. It is not our goal to have potential clients take on an expensive project if it’s not necessary. We often have those same clients return to us 1-4 years later when the roof is finally ready, because we were honest with them about, he remaining life span of a roof.
We also have many condo associations and property management companies that have standing orders with us to inspect roofs annually so that we can document their condition and needs, so that those clients can plan accordingly for a budget, for when the roof is ready to be replaced. So to answer the original question; most roofs that are in moderate climates, and are installed correctly, with appropriate ventilation, and are maintained from year to year should last 25-35 years.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
