Posted by roofcoadmin June 16, 2018
Your roof’s lifespan is mainly dependent on the kind of material which has been used, how often it’s maintained, and how it was installed. For example, the lifespan for a flat roof significantly varies depending upon what application was utilized, same goes for sloped roofs. In addition, calculating a roof’s lifespan generally is done by utilizing average conditions, even though there are several variables which might swing that figure in either direction, and shorten its lifespan, or increase it.
The lifespan of various sloped roof materials are:
- Cedar Shake: 30 – 40 years
- 3tab Asphalt Shingles: 15 – 18 years
- Concrete Tile: 35 – 50 years
- Galvalume (Metal): 30 – 45 years
- Architectural Asphalt Shingles: 24 – 30 yrs.
- Built-Up or Modified Bitumen: 10 – 16 yrs.
- Rubber (EPDM): 10 – 16 yrs.
These figures usually swing substantially depending upon the conditions they’re subjected too. Plus, there are several factors which may contribute to a reduction in the longevity of a sloped roof. Some of these are:
- The color of the roof: The darker the roof material, the more heat is absorbed, which leads to a shorter span of life.
- Installing new roofs over existing roofs: Several layers of the roof system will reduce its longevity. It always is better when you have a full roofing replacement done, to extract all current roof material.
- Ensuring that high-quality roof materials are being utilized for your roof replacement or repair helps ensure that the roof lasts as long as it is expected to. Selecting discount materials shortens the roof’s lifespan.
- Not enough attic insulation and ventilation cause a substantial decrease in the roofing system’s lifespan. While having a replacement performed, think about also having the attic space completely inspected.
- Weather: Unfortunate yet true, substantial temperature variations, such as our brutal winter seasons and ultraviolet ray laden summer seasons, and broad temperature swings inside a brief time period additionally contribute to a decrease in the average roofing system’s lifespan.
The estimated flat roof lifespan also is dependent on the quality of the installation, and what application was used. The most commonly utilized applications are:
- Rubber or EPDM – Usually guaranteed for ten to sixteen years yet may last a little longer under the proper conditions.
- TPO – Usually lasts for fifteen to twenty years. Offers a little more ultraviolet protection than EPDM, thereby has a somewhat longer expectancy of life.
- PVC(vinyl) – May last for more than 20 years. Because of its lighter color, PVC offers greater protection against damaging ultraviolet rays yet generally is the priciest material of the ones listed here.
As with sloped roof systems, factors like roof color and extreme weather are going to have an effect on the lifespan of a flat roof. But, barring any penetrations, or any emergency circumstances those averages generally will hold true.
The most critical thing to do to prolong the lifespan of your roof system, sloped or flat, is to give it routine maintenance.
To gain a better understanding of your roof’s lifespan contact the qualified roofing contractors of Roofco today!