When it comes to your home, they’re can be a lot of confusing information out there regarding the care of your home. One of those complex areas can be roof care. How long should you actually wait to get your roof replaced? There can be many different answers to this depending on several factors. The type of roof is probably the most important factor.
Flat Roof
One of the most common roof styles you’ll see in Philadelphia is the flat roof. Top Tier Roofing completes flat roof replacements every day! A multi-layer flat roof made with waterproofing material, hot tar and gravel, can last between 15-20 years. Due to the weight of these materials, it may not be the best choice for every building. Keeping debris off of your roof or removing it quickly, to prevent build up, is key in elongating the lifespan of your roof. This can also change if your roof has accessible outdoor living space, such as a roof deck. If you’re able to access the area on a daily basis, the benefits of that are that you’ll be able to see any sort of damage that may be starting and get it addressed quickly.
Composition Shingle Roofs
Composition shingle roofs typically can last between 12-20 years, these roofs may be a little more expensive than its counterparts since it’s made from recycled plastics, polymers, or rubbers, but that will balance out with reduced maintenance costs and a longer lifespan. Another pro of a composite shingle roof is that the material used to create the shingles does not contain organic material, which will prevent against any sort of insect infestation, as you’re more likely to find them in organic material.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material with many benefits that can last between 15-30 years. They are a very flexible and easily installed material, as well as being easily replaceable. Coming with being easily replaceable, is that they can be easily damaged and strong winds can cause detaching and making your home more susceptible to leaks.
Wood Shake/Shingle Roofs
Wood shake and shingle roofs have a very nice visual appeal to them and they can last 20-25 years. However, if you’re looking for a low cost for maintenance roof, this wouldn’t be your best option. Wood shake roofs do have some good benefits other than the rustic look that it adds to your home. Being a poor conductor of heat, it’s one of the best insulator materials out there. They are also very good against wind damage, especially compared to shingle roofs. Though wood roofs boast a 20-25 year lifespan, they also require many treatments and protective coatings that require frequent applications. This is why it is a costly roof to have.
Slate Roofs
Slate roofs, a very durable and appealing roof, can last up to 100 years. Slate is also much more expensive than any other roofing material and is also very heavy. They need to be installed by a certified professional, as cracking can occur if not installed properly or if walked on. Any sort of repairs or maintenance has to be done by a professional that’s certified in slate roofing.
The climate that your roof is enduring and the amount of maintenance and upkeep that you’re putting into your roof are also factors in the roof’s overall lifespan. Both of these factors can be negated by severe weather conditions and any damage that is caused by it. Each roof style has many pros and cons and should be considered based on the style your home can take on, as well as the budget for maintenance and upkeep that you plan for.