Roofing Material Choices

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Saturday, November 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

When a homeowner makes a selection of a roofing material, they should, take the roofing material’s lifespan into account because this dictates the overall lifespan of the roof. And that impacts long term cost.

A roof’s lifespan depends on a number of factors, including roofing style, materials, and the climate in the area where the home is located. Selecting roofing products with nearly the same lifespans will avoid piece by piece repairs over a ten to fifteen year period. In most cases, roofing materials last for about twenty years. This is if the roof has been maintained properly and there has been no significant damage to the roof from the weather. Some materials have a lifespan of as much as 50 years while some others last as little as 10 years. Here are some of the common roofing materials and their lifespans.

A properly maintained asphalt roof will last between 15 and 20 years. Asphalt roofing materials are one of the most common types of roofing materials used throughout the nation because of the low cost of the materials and the ease of repairs.

Fiberglass roofing lasts between 15 and 20 years. Little maintenance is required for fiberglass roofs, and they come in many different styles and colors to match almost any desired look. Fiberglass roofs resist water and mold because they don’t have organic components.

Wooden shakes and shingles are common in the north eastern United States. These roofing materials will generally last between 15 and 20 years, and can even last for as many as 30 years if the shakes and shingles are well maintained.

With an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years, slate roofing materials are amongst the longest lasting roofing products.

Metal roofing can last nearly 50 years. Metal roofs come in a variety of colors, finishes and styles, and can even resemble tiles and wooden shingles. These roofing products are nearly impervious to weather and can be installed over the current roof.

A less well known option is rubber roofing. It’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and long lasting. It can be a single sheet cut to fit the roof or shingles. In 1980 the very first rubber roof was installed. It was in Wisconsin. It’s still going strong after nearly 30 years.

Roofing materials come in many varieties and styles. Pick the one that’s right for you.

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