Do you think it's time to replace your flat roof? Are you wanting to know how long a flat roof lasts in general and based on the type of roofing material?
The lifespan of your flat roof is the return you get after investing your hard-earned money. Not only that, but the lifespan also tells you when you’ll have to replace it in the future.
That’s why it’s important to know how long a flat roof actually lasts. However, the answer isn't as simple as throwing a number of years out.
For over 35 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand their flat roof investment and what they get out of it. So, let's break down how long a flat roof lasts.
By the end of this article, you'll have the answers to:
- How long does a flat roof last?
- What determines how long a flat roof actually lasts?
How long does a flat roof last?
On average, a flat roof lasts around 20 to 25 years. However, the lifespan actually depends on the type of flat roofing material you choose.
How long does a flat roof last? |
|
| TPO membrane | 15 to 20 years |
| PVC membrane | 25 years |
| EPDM membrane | 25 to 30 years |
| Standing seam metal roofing | 30 years, up to 50 years |
A flat membrane roof lasts 15 to 30 years, depending on the type you choose.
To be a little more specific, you should get around 25 years out of a TPO membrane, while a PVC membrane flat roof should last up to 20 years. On the other hand, an EPDM roofing membrane is more durable than the other two and should last around 25 to 30 years.
If you’re looking for more curb appeal and more longevity, a metal roof is a great option if you have the budget. A standing seam metal flat or low slope roof should last around 30 years with the chance to get up to 50 years.
All three membrane flat roofing systems are great options, and their lifespans are pretty comparable. However, a standing seam metal roof should always outlast a membrane flat roof system.
What determines how long a flat roof actually lasts?
Now, you know how long a flat roof lasts on average and based on the type of roofing material. While the lifespans are great, there are many things that actually determines how long a flat roof lasts.
Let's look at the following factors that determine how long a flat roof actually lasts:
- Quality of the materials
- Installation quality
- Foot traffic
- General wear and tear
- Extreme weather hitting the flat roof
- Roof maintenance
Quality of the materials
The quality of the flat roofing materials and components greatly impacts how long a flat roof last. 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.
Installation quality
The biggest factor that impacts how long a flat roof lasts is the installation quality of the roofing contractor, especially with how unique flat roofing installations are. An improperly installed flat roof will never reach its full potential and will most likely fail prematurely.
This can be caused by poor workmanship, lack of experience, not having the right equipment, and poor weather conditions during installation. That’s why hiring a reputable roofing contractor is so crucial when replacing your flat roof or any other roofing project.
Foot traffic
Walking on a roof takes experience, not only to do it safely, but also to move around without avoid causing damage. This is especially true on flat or low slope roofs that can be easily walked on.
However, foot traffic can greatly affect how long a flat roof lasts. First, there's the potential for tearing the membrane (or denting metal) by stepping in the wrong areas.
The second problem is bringing up what's on your shoes, which can damage the membrane or scratch the protective painted finish on the metal panels. That's why it's best to leave walking on a flat roof to the professionals.
General wear and tear
General wear and tear from being exposed to the elements always impacts how long a flat roof lasts. However, just how much wear and tear affects a flat roof heavily depends on your area’s climate, weather, roof, and your property.
Below are the things that directly lead to wear and tear:
- Extreme temperature changes
- The amount of direct sunlight
- Overhanging trees
- 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 a roof ages. Fortunately, a properly installed flat roof will stand up well to whatever the elements throw at it.
Extreme weather hitting the flat roof
As you just learned, ever roof goes through wear and tear from the weather throughout its life. However, the amount and frequency of extreme weather hitting your area can shorten a flat roof's lifespan.
This is even more important nowadays with the amount of storms with hail and damaging winds that have destroyed roofs over the last 5 years in the United States. Even if hail only comes with a single storm, there's potential for damage to a flat roof.
Roof maintenance
Roof maintenance plays a huge role in how long a roof lasts, no matter the roofing material. 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 can shorten the lifespan of the flat roofing material.
How much does a flat roof replacement cost?
Now you know how long a flat roof lasts and the things that affect the lifespan. Remember, you should have no problem getting the most out of your flat roof as long as it's installed properly.
That's why it's crucial to find a reputable roofer with the right expertise and skillset. But before starting your search, there's still one big thing you need to know about a flat roof replacement.
This, of course, is how much it'll cost. Unfortunately, it's hard to get exact information for the full thing instead of just materials. That's why I wrote another article breaking down the budget you'll need when getting a new flat roof.
Check out How Much a Flat Roof Replacement Costs to learn what you can expect to pay for a new flat roof.
