One
of the essential parts of the house is also one of the most ignored
parts of the house. You often won’t notice anything is wrong with
your roof until you discover leaks, find pests in your attic, or find
other problems. Your roof will last longer with routine maintenance,
but it won’t last forever. Some factors that determine how long a
roof lasts include UV rays, wind, and quality of installation, but
those aren’t the only factors. Hail also plays a part in how long a
roof will last. Below are five roof types and how often they need
replacing.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing shingles on homes. Asphalt shingles last between 15 and 30 years and are easy to replace but are vulnerable to wind uplift and can crack due to extreme temperature fluctuations. An asphalt shingle roof is made from asphalt, a petroleum product with a mix of sand, stones, pebbles and bitumen as a binding agent.

 

Composition

Composition shingles are made from a combination of mineral granules, asphalt, and fiberglass. Composition shingles are easy to install, resistant to UV rays when treated with additives, durable, and highly versatile. However, they aren’t good in areas with excess sun exposure or very high temperatures. With proper maintenance composition shingles last between 12 and 20 years.

 

Metallic

With proper installation and care, metal roofs last between 50 and 75 years. Metal roofs can withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour and won’t crack or corrode due to their rust-proof coating. Since they don’t depend on petroleum for their creation as asphalt shingles do, metal roofs are more environmentally friendly.

 

Rubber Shingles

Rubber shingles are created from old tires and other recycled materials. Roofing manufacturers can make the rubber shingles look like slate or cedar shakes. Rubber shingles are highly durable and resistant to weather headaches. They are also impact resistant to objects like large hailstones and can withstand 160 miles per hour winds. Rubber roofs last between 30 and 50 years, making them an excellent investment.

 

Wood

Wood is one of the best insulating materials out there, which means wood shingles keep your home warm in winter and cooler in the summer. They’re also resistant to wind damage as they stand up to winds as high as 173 miles per hour or higher, depending on how well they’re installed. Wood shingles last anywhere between 20 and 25 years with proper care.

 

Ignoring problems with your roof have time-consuming and costly consequences. If you have roof damage or it’s time for an inspection, it’s time to contact a qualified roofing expert. Contact us today for your roofing repair needs that keep your home and your family safe.