What kind of roof does your house have? How much longer will it last? Typically, people don't give a second thought to their roof unless something out of the ordinary occurs; shingles can be swept away during a windstorm, or a leak could happen, letting water in. Roofing materials generally fall under one of the following types:
Asphalt shingles: This type of roofing is very popular due to low cost and ease of installation. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. Generally, these will last for about 20 years.
Shakes or wood shingles are highly valued due to their desirable appearance, and long lasting protection. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. Your rating could be bumped up to a Class A if they are treated with a fire-resistant material.
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Roof maintenance is important
No matter which material your roof is made of, inspecting it annually can add many years to your roof's longevity. Keep an eye out for curled edges, worn granulars, or cracks in your asphalt shingles on your home. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Review your home insurance policy
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. But your home insurance excludes losses due to wear and tear. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
Asphalt shingles: This type of roofing is very popular due to low cost and ease of installation. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. Generally, these will last for about 20 years.
Shakes or wood shingles are highly valued due to their desirable appearance, and long lasting protection. If the wood roof is maintained carefully and of course, expertly installed, they can last for 25 years or more. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. Your rating could be bumped up to a Class A if they are treated with a fire-resistant material.
Clay or concrete tiles: This material is another great option, as they are beautiful, come in many colours and styles, and are fireproof! It's easy to maintain and very durable, with a life expectancy of 30 years. Tiles are also very heavy, which means you may need additional roof framing.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Tar paper and asphalt are layered on the roof, applied using a molten asphalt system. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs will last 30 years or more. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Roof maintenance is important
No matter which material your roof is made of, inspecting it annually can add many years to your roof's longevity. Keep an eye out for curled edges, worn granulars, or cracks in your asphalt shingles on your home. Hire someone who is qualified to remove snow from your roof if you have heavy snowfall in the winter months. This will help keep water from entering the house. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.
Review your home insurance policy
A home insurance policy is designed to protect a homeowner if unexpected and unpreventable damage occurs. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. But your home insurance excludes losses due to wear and tear. If your roof is not properly maintained, or it is of considerable age, your insurance may only cover part of the damages, and may not cover any damage at all. Some policies limit the payment for roof damage to its actual cash value (ACV) or depreciated value, while others will pay to repair or replace the roof.
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