Are you about to get a new roof? Do you want to maximize your current or future roof’s lifespan?
A roof is a huge investment. So, getting the maximum number of years out of it is important.
However, multiple things determine how long a roof ultimately lasts. They can even be the difference between a roof that fails prematurely and one that reaches its full potential.
On top of this, some of them are affected by who you hire and the decisions you make. That’s why you need to know what directly impacts a roof’s lifespan.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners get the most out of their roof investment. So, let’s break down the things that determine how long your roof lasts.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn more about the following factors that affect a roof’s life:
- The installation quality
- Adequate attic ventilation
- General wear and tear from exposure to the elements
- The amount of extreme weather that hits a roof
- The direction a roof faces
- How often a roof is maintained
- The quality of the roofing material and components
1. The installation quality
The biggest that determines how long a roof lasts is the installation quality. A roof that’s improperly installed will need repairs throughout its life before it prematurely fails.
This can be caused by poor workmanship, cut corners, poor nailing techniques, and poor weather conditions during the roof replacement process. No matter what causes it, you’ll need another roof well before you should need one.
Fortunately, this can all be avoided by hiring a reputable roofing contractor with a strong installation history. But no matter what shingle or roofing material you have, improper installation will lead to premature roof failure.
2. Adequate attic ventilation
After installation quality, proper attic ventilation is the biggest thing that determines how long a roof lasts. No matter the season, trapped air in an inadequately ventilated attic shortens a roof’s lifespan.
In the summer, trapped heat is enough to burn your roof up, deteriorate the adhesives in the decking, and cause cracked or curled shingles. In the winter, condensation forms and gets trapped when the cold air in the attic meets the warm air from your home’s interior.
No matter if it’s cold air in the winter or hot air in the summer, a roof’s life will be negatively impacted by an improperly ventilated attic.
3. General wear and tear from exposure to the elements
Every roof goes through wear and tear from being exposed to the elements throughout its life, so it plays an important role in how long a roof lasts. However, it depends on your area’s climate, weather, roof, and property. Below are the things that directly lead to wear and tear:
- Extreme temperature changes
- The amount of direct sunlight
- Overhanging trees
- The roof’s pitch
- Frequent rain
- Snow and ice storms
- Sitting debris
There’s nothing you can do about the elements, but they play a big role in how fast your roof ages. Fortunately, a properly installed roof with adequate attic ventilation will stand up well to whatever the elements throw at it.
4. The amount of extreme weather that hits a roof
You already know that general wear and tear from the elements impacts your roof. However, frequent hail or strong winds hitting a roof greatly impacts how long it lasts.
For example, asphalt shingles experience granular loss a lot quicker in areas with hail storms, which shortens the lifespan. Some states even require impact-resistant shingles because of the impact frequent hail storms have on shingles.
The more extreme weather your roof is hit with, the more the lifespan is affected. However, you can file an insurance claim (unless specifically excluded) for hail or wind damage if a bad storm causes damage.
5. The direction a roof faces
While this plays into the last two things, the direction your roof faces impacts how long it lasts. Shingles can withstand UV light, but prolonged exposure leads to wear and tear quicker.
If the roof faces east or west, each side gets an equal amount of direct sunlight as the day goes on. But if it faces south, only the south side receives direct sunlight all day while also taking the brunt of the wear and tear from the weather.
This also means part of your roof won’t dry after rain, which allows moss growth and leaves saturated debris sitting on your roof longer. Not only does this eventually lead to a leak, but it also damages the shingles underneath.
6. How often a roof is maintained
Just like a car needs an oil change, your roof needs regular tune ups to keep it running smoothly. So, getting routine roof maintenance plays a crucial role in how long a roof lasts.
Whether it’s once or twice a year, roof maintenance ensures a roof reaches its full potential. It catches any potential problems to prevent future leaks before they start.
Roof maintenance is also the perfect chance to clear sitting debris that will shorten the lifespan of the roofing material if left to sit for too long. Preventing leaks and maximizing a roof is one thing, but it also gives you peace of mind that your roof is fully functioning as the years pass.
7. The quality of the roofing material and components
The quality of the roofing material and components has a huge impact on how long a roof lasts. A new roof will always be an expensive purchase, but it’s crucial to look for quality instead of the cheapest price available
Of course, affordability is important. But going with the cheapest roof means getting the cheapest materials and labor.
I guarantee this shows in the finished quality, which will end up costing you more money in the long run with repairs and, eventually, a full roof replacement. I understand pricing drives a lot of decisions, and some homeowners have very tight budgets.
But no matter the budget, it’s important to invest in quality to ensure your roof investment lasts as long as possible.
How long does a roof actually last?
After reading this article, you know the 7 main things that determine how long a roof lasts. There’s nothing you can do about some of the factors, like direction, weather, etc.
The important thing is to invest in quality and maintain your roof to maximize its lifespan. And as long as you hire a reputable roofing contractor, the installation quality and attic ventilation system won’t be a problem.
While knowing what affects a roof’s life is great, it doesn’t do you any good if you don’t know how long a roof actually lasts. That’s why I wrote another article breaking it down for you.
Check out How Long Does a Roof Last to learn the average lifespan of a roof and how long the most common residential roofing materials last.
