How long does a roof last?
Your roof is one of those factors that most people generally forget about. The average homeowner or business owner does not have to do much maintenance on their roof nor do they have to replace it all that often. But when it does come time to get a new roof, one of the leading questions most people ask, is “how long will the roof last?” Having a new roof is great because that peace of mind is there and most owners can forget about it again for many, many years.
Your roof lifespan is influenced by many factors, including the material it is made out of and the roofing contractors who installed it. At Stay Dry Roofing, we have over 30 years of experience in building and installing new roofs in order to give residents of Tampa, FL a roof lifespan they can count on for years to come. Home and business owners that choose our GAF shingles can even benefit from our generous roofing guarantees, that make sure you can have peace of mind for a long time. And when it comes to just material longevity, there is a wide range:
- Asphalt singles – 15 – 30 years longevity
- Architectural shingles – 25-30 years longevity
- Wood shingles – 30 years longevity
- Clay tile – 50 years longevity
- Metal roofs -70 years longevity
The factors that can compromise your roof lifespan
1. Material of construction
As stated above, the material your roof is made out of will have the most realistic impact on your roof lifespan. While the numbers listed above are for ideal conditions, many factors can make a roof, even made of metal, require replacement or repairs much sooner. Living in Florida, we have to deal with some conditions (another factor to consider below), so choosing a material that has a longer lifespan can be a boon to your home or business.
2. The weather
Florida is a rough state for roof longevity because we have to deal with rain, heat, and winds. Even just a small damaged area that is left unrepaired can rapidly compromise the longevity of a roof if the elements get to it before a roofing contractor team fixes the damage. Our hot summer months can end up baking and warming shingles, while hurricanes can blow parts of a roof clean off, or drop big trees or branches on them. Since you can’t control the weather, the best way to protect against this is to get routine inspections, maintenance and take care of your yard’s trees before storm season.
3. Lack of maintenance
We mentioned that many home and business owners tend to forget about their roof. This is true when it comes to roof maintenance too. If you do not routinely perform professional maintenance on your roof, you run the risk of problems being left unresolved and exposed to the weather and elements. This drastically will lower your roof lifespan. However, simply having our team of professional roofing contractors perform maintenance, at least once a year or after every big storm, will ensure your roof stays strong and leak-free!
4. Poor installation
You should never trust a roof installation to just any contractor. Your roof is something of vital importance to your home, business, belongings, self, and family. It only makes sense to choose someone who can give this kind of investment the attention it deserves. Poor installation can easily mean the roof lifespan is cut in half, leading to another big, unnecessary financial burden. Stay Dry Roofing has been providing Tampa, FL residents quality, dependable roofs for over 30 years and is trusted by some of the roofing industries leading brands.
5. Foliage surrounding the roof
While large trees can be beautiful and are great for the environment, they can pose a huge threat to your roof. If your home or business has many large trees and branches that overhang the roof, you may be in store for lots of repairs. Living in Florida, we are prone to many big storms and hurricanes which can knock these trees down or cause limbs and branches to fall onto the roof. When this happens, especially if it is a frequent occurrence, the roof lifespan will significantly fall. Routine repairs and maintenance is important to keep up with the roof and we encourage you to routinely trim trees that are close to the building.
6. The slope of the roof
All roofs have a slope or pitch to them, even flat roofs. This is so that rain and water can run off and does not pool. However, if the pitch is not steep enough, or sagging has occurred, leading to areas of no slope, then your roof will be susceptible to water damage. Water can quickly destroy even the best roofing materials and lead to leaking inside the structure. While sagging is a sure sign for a new roof, if you notice any kind of pooling water on your roof you should seek professional help right away to address the problem.
Choose Stay Dry Roofing
Our team of roofing contractors has been in the Tampa, FL area for over 30 years and can help you judge your roof lifespan during an inspection or consultation. As a family owned and operated business, we do everything we can to make you feel like you are part of our family and treat your home and business with importance. If you have any questions about your roof, we encourage you to schedule an appointment or estimate with our team today!
