A roof replacement isn't going to be cheap. No matter what type of roof you want, you're going to have to invest quite a bit of money into it.
Because you're spending your hard earned money on a new roof, you're expecting to get the most out of it. But how many years will you actually get out of your roof investment?
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing takes pride in providing high-quality roof replacements, but we take more pride in giving you the roofing knowledge you need. That's why we're going to tell you how many years of peace of mind you get out of a new roof.
By the end of this article, you'll learn how much life you’ll get out of your roof investment and 3 factors that affect the lifespan. And stick around until the very end to learn how much your new roof will cost.
How long will your new roof last?
The lifespan of your roof investment is how many years you get out of it. As long as your new roof is installed properly and your attic has adequate ventilation, it’s going to get as close as possible to its maximum lifespan.
With that in mind, most homeowners can expect to get around 20 years out of a new roof. This lifespan is based on the most common type of roof used on homes today, an architectural asphalt shingle roof.
Just know that there are other factors (weather, quality of materials, and more) that determine how long your new roof will last. However, there’s another huge factor that determines a roof's lifespan.
How long will a new roof last based on the roofing material you choose?
What determines the number of years you'll get out of your new roof comes down to the type of roofing material you choose. That's why you need to know the lifespans of the different types of roof systems.
Below are the lifespans of the 5 most common types of roofing materials.
How long does a new asphalt roof last?
Your asphalt roof is more than just the shingles you see from the street. An asphalt shingle roof is a roof system made primarily out of asphalt shingles and other asphalt roofing components.
(Left to right: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury)
There are three types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury.
All three have different lifespans specified by the manufacturer of the asphalt shingles. 3-tab shingles have a lifespan of 25 years and live the shortest of the three types.
Dimensional and luxury shingles both have a lifespan of 30 years, but the luxury style has the possibility to go over 30 years and up to 50 under the right conditions. The lifespan of the asphalt shingles is just one thing you need to know when deciding which one to choose for your new roof.
To help you find the right shingle for your roof replacement, read this article on which asphalt shingle is right for you.
How long does a new standing seam metal roof last?
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels that are locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically.
This allows for panels to expand and contract freely when the metal heats up and cools down. Your new standing seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 finish (painted finish that protects the metal from the elements).
Even though the paint has a 30-year warranty, it doesn’t mean it’s going to disappear after 30 years. As long as it’s properly installed and your attic is adequately ventilated, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get at least 30 years out of your standing seam metal roof.
Under the ideal conditions, a standing seam metal roof could live for 50 years.
How long does a new cedar shake roof last?
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials.
As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.
Be aware, cedar shake shingles are naturally made, so there’s no manufacturer warranty on the materials if they fail prematurely. This leaves you with only your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to rely on if there’s ever a problem with your cedar shake roof.
How long does a new synthetic shingle roof last?
Synthetic (also known as composite) shingles are made of recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof.
You can expect a new synthetic shingle roof to last around 40-50 years. The reason synthetic shingles are durable and come with a long lifespan is because of their impact rating.
For example, DaVinci Roofscapes (the leading synthetic shingle brand) shingles have a Class 4 impact rating, which is the highest rating possible. This high impact rating means they stand up well to anything that hits the shingles, including extreme weather, such as hail.
You can also walk on a synthetic shingle roof without worrying about breaking them like you would with normal slate or cedar shakes. Because of this, a synthetic roof is one of the most durable roofing materials on the market today.
How long does a new slate roof last?
Like a cedar shake roof, a slate roof is made primarily out of natural slate tiles and other slate components.
As long as your slate roof is properly installed and flashed properly, it’ll be the last roof you ever put on your home. It’s hard to put an exact number on a slate roof’s lifespan, but there’s no reason it shouldn’t last around 75 years or even close to 100.
We like to say your grandkids won’t have to worry about it. If you’re looking for a forever material that won’t need to be replaced in your lifetime, a slate roof is a great option.
But just like a cedar shake roof, there’s no manufacturer warranty on the slate materials themselves if they fail prematurely.
How much does a new roof cost?
You just learned how long your new roof will last. Remember, the number of years you’ll get out of your roof investment depends on the type of roof you get.
But how much will you actually have to invest in your new roof? That's a question most roofing companies avoid putting out there for homeowners to find.
We aren't like other roofing companies though. That's why we're going to break down the cost of a new roof.
The team at Bill Ragan has provided high-quality roofing services to the residents in Nashville since 1990. Our workmanship and attention to detail ensures you get the most life out of your new roof. That’s why we’re proud to offer you a lifetime warranty.
Check out How Much Does a New Roof Cost? to learn the budget you'll need for the type of roof you want.
