Wondering if it’s time to replace your roof on your Nashville home? Just want to know how long a roof is supposed to last in Nashville and Middle Tennessee?
No matter the answer or reason, every Nashville homeowner should know how long a roof lasts. Not only is it the return on a roof investment, but it also tells you how long until you have to replace your roof.
Plus, lifespan is an important consideration when choosing the right roofing material. For these reasons and more, knowing how long a roof lasts right here in our area of Nashville, TN, is crucial.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has answered every question Nashville homeowners throw at us with honesty and transparency. Now, I’ll do the same for you by breaking down how long a roof lasts in Nashville in general, based on roofing material, and what affects the lifespan.
The majority of residential roofs will last 20-25 years in Nashville, TN. This is mainly based on asphalt shingles, the most commonly used roofing material in Nashville and the United States.
However, there are plenty of roofing materials that come in a wide range of lifespans.
Roofing Material |
Lifespan in Nashville |
|
3-tab asphalt shingles |
15 years |
|
Architectural asphalt shingles |
20-25 years |
|
Luxury asphalt shingles |
30-50 years |
|
Exposed fastener metal roofing |
20-30 years |
|
Standing seam metal roofing |
30-50 years |
|
Synthetics shingles |
40-50 years |
|
Cedar shake shingles |
30+ years |
|
Slate tiles |
50-100+ |
Below is more information about each roofing material in the table above.
3-tab asphalt shingles should last 15 years with a max of 20 years. They are the cheapest option but also the most inferior asphalt shingle and roofing material on the market.
Architectural asphalt shingles should last 20-25 years in Nashville with proper installation and adequate attic ventilation. This asphalt shingle is the most commonly used roofing material in Nashville and the United States in general because of the affordability.
They’re a great option for homeowners looking for a cost-effective but durable roofing material.
Luxury asphalt shingles will last 30 years but can get up to 40 or 50 years in the right conditions. Their slate-like design gives them very high curb appeal, but they’re also the longest-lasting asphalt shingle.
A metal roof can last 20 to 30 years, but each metal roof system has a specific lifespan. A standing seam metal roof lasts 30 years in Nashville but can last up to 50 years.
On the other hand, an exposed fastener metal roof should last at least 20 years and potentially 30 years with proper maintenance. On top of the specific metal roof system, the type of metal, its thickness, and painted finish ultimately determine how long a metal roof lasts.
Synthetic shingles (also called composite) should last 40 to 50 years in Nashville, TN, due to their rubber-like polymer qualities. They closely mimic the look of natural slate and cedar shake, but come at a cheaper price.
Even though they’re cheaper, synthetic shingles are one of the most durable roofing materials available and offer superior protection from storm damage. However, they also haven’t been around as long as other established roofing materials.
Cedar shake shingles will last 30 years in Nashville, and can get up to 40 or 50 with proper maintenance. This is one of the best-looking roofing materials available in Middle Tennessee, but they show signs of wear and tear as they age.
While we do have humidity and high temperatures, a cedar shake roof is a great fit for Nashville, TN. However, the summer months can take quite a toll on cedar shakes as the roof gets older.
Slate tiles will last anywhere from 50 to 100+ years, making it the longest-lasting roofing material available to homeowners in the United States. However, they are extremely fragile, expensive, and heavy.
This not only makes the installation tricky, but your home also has to be able to handle the weight before it can begin. If not, you’ll have to retrofit your home with more support before installation starts.
The roofing material you choose sets the lifespan, but different factors ultimately determine how long a roof actually lasts in Nashville, TN. Let’s look at the factors that directly impact a roof's lifespan.
The quality of your roofing materials and components greatly impacts how long a roof lasts on your Nashville home. Finding a low price is tempting, but getting cheap or inferior materials shows up in the finished quality of your roof.
You don’t have to break the bank and find the most expensive roof possible. But going with the cheapest roof means getting the cheapest roofing materials and the cheapest labor to install them.
So, set your budget, choose the roofing material that fits it, and invest in quality to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible.
The biggest factor that impacts how long a roof lasts is the installation quality of the Nashville roofing contractor. An improperly installed roof will never reach its full potential and will most likely fail prematurely.
This can be caused by poor workmanship, inadequate attic ventilation, improper nailing, and poor weather conditions during installation. The last thing you need to worry about is leaks, paying for repairs, or experiencing premature failure.
That’s why hiring a reputable roofing contractor is so crucial when getting a new roof.
Your attic’s ventilation system allows your home to breathe properly by moving air in and out of your attic. If your attic isn’t ventilated correctly, the damage from trapped hot and cold air will drastically shorten a roof’s lifespan.
Attic ventilation is absolutely crucial with Nashville’s climate, even more so on asphalt shingle roofs. If they’re installed over a poorly ventilated attic, it’s guaranteed to cut the lifespan short and void warranties.
Every roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. However, the amount of direct sunlight, frequent temperature changes, and extreme weather that hit Nashville determine how much it affects a roof's lifespan.
This is even more important nowadays with the amount of storms with hail and damaging winds the Nashville area has had over the last 5 years. Even if you don’t, hail or strong winds that come with a single storm are enough to weaken the integrity of asphalt shingles.
And as I mentioned earlier, climate also affects how long a roof lasts. So, Nashville’s climate will impact the lifespan of certain roofing materials.
Roof maintenance plays a huge role in how long a roof lasts in Nashville, TN. Whether once or twice a year, roof maintenance ensures a roof reaches its full potential.
It catches any potential problems with your roofing materials and prevents future leaks before they start. Without maintenance, a small problem can snowball and turn into an expensive repair and cause damage to the interior of your home.
Roof maintenance is also the perfect chance to clear your roof and gutters of debris. If wet debris is left sitting on your roof, it will shorten the lifespan of the roofing materials.
Never had to replace your roof on your home? Check out 7 Things to Know Before Replacing Your Roof in Nashville, TN.
Want a rough estimate for how much your new roof could cost with us? Check out the Calculator on our Pricing Page.
Need the right questions to ask when meeting with a potential Nashville roofing company? Get The 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Checklist.
Want to ensure everything is included when getting quotes? Get The Roof Estimate Checklist before signing on the dotted line.
After reading this article, you know how long a roof lasts in Nashville, TN. Just remember that how long your roof actually lasts depends on the different factors I mentioned.
However, you won’t know how much longer your roof has or if it’s time for a replacement until after an inspection from a Nashville roofing company. If you want honesty and transparency, don’t hesitate to reach out!
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided top-quality residential roofing services to homeowners in Nashville, TN. We offer roof replacements, skylight replacements, roof repairs (repairs on hold for new customers due to labor shortage), and insurance claim guidance for roof storm damage.
I take extreme pride in what we do, and back up our workmanship with a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. That’s why I say, “When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.”
Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free roof replacement inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.