While the roof is arguably the most important part of the home, it is also often the most overlooked.
Your roof keeps your home safe and dry, protects it from the elements, regulates temperatures, prevents dampness, and upholds the structural integrity of the property. This is why knowing how often to replace roof structures is so important.
With material costs currently skyrocketing, now is the time to budget when you will need a new roof. Read on to find out exactly when to replace your roof.
How Often to Replace Roof Structures Depends on the Material
When asking, "how long does a roof last?" there is no single answer. It depends entirely on what your roof is made of and when it was built. While other factors play a role, here are the generally-accepted lifespans of different roof materials:
Asphalt: 10-20 years
Wood: 25-30 years
Slate: up to 100 years
Cement: 50-100 years
Wood shakes: 35-40 years
Steel: 40-50 years
Aluminum: 40-50 years
Zinc: up to 100 years
Copper: up to 100 years
As you can see, there is a huge variation in roof lifespan, depending on the materials used. You might also be able to guess that the materials that last the longest are also much, much more expensive than those that do not last as long.
However, the initial upfront investment will nearly always save you significant time, money, and stress in the long run. One of the benefits of a new roof is that you can make those smart decisions now to save money in the future.
Other Factors Will Affect Your Roof Lifespan
Of course, it's not solely about the materials you use. There are several other factors that will play a significant role. Chief among these is climate. For example, if you live in an area that is windy or particularly wet, you can expect your roof to not last as long.
The existence of trees or animals around your roof will also play a role and potentially degrade the roofing material more quickly.
In addition, you level and quality of home insulation can have an impact, since poor insulation will make it more likely that destructive moisture will build inside the roof structure.
How to Extend Your Roof Lifespan
There are a few things you can do to add a few years or even decades to the lifespan of your roof.
All of these involve being proactive. Arranging an annual roof inspection from a professional will allow you to identify problems quickly and resolve them before they get serious.
Repairing or replacing damaged tiles as soon as you notice them will also help, as will cleaning your roof, gutters and siding at least once a year.
Meanwhile, adding high-quality sealant to the correct parts of the roof can also make a big difference.
Be Proactive and Save Money Today
Some of these chores might seem annoying, but they are a lot less expensive and time-consuming than doing nothing and waiting for the problem to get worse.
Knowing how often to replace roof parts will push back that full replacement by years or even decades. For this, we are here to help.
To find out how we can keep your roof in tip-top condition now and in the future, do not hesitate to give our friendly and professional team in St. Charles a call.