HOW LONG DOES A ROOF LAST?
It is obvious that the life span of a roof depends on the material you use to build your roof. But people do not know the factors affecting how long does a roof last and how they can make their roof last longer. Here are nine major factors responsible for affecting how long your roof survives. By paying attention to all these factors, you can extend your roof’s lifespan.
1. MATERIAL
You can choose between various materials, depending on the quality and popularity. For instance, most American homeowners use asphalt for roofing because it offers durability and energy efficient quality with beautiful looks. But when we consider the longevity, this material is less effective than metal and tile roof.
2. WEATHER
Nature can affect the longevity and looks of any roof, no matter what material. However, some roofing materials can tolerate corrosion, heavy downpours, strong winds, and hailstorms. But sometimes, these materials also fail to battle extreme weather conditions.
3. PITCH
The slope of a roof system determines how much and how fast water leaves the surface. All materials of a roofing system have some limits on how much water they can tolerate over time, and when it loses its durability. This is why higher pitched roofs are preferable compared to a low slope or flat roofs.
4. SUN EXPOSURE
Heat can cause wear and tear, especially when you have installed a dark-colored roof. The dark color will absorb even more energy than a light-colored roof due to strong ultraviolet radiation. However, you can find some materials that are effective in this circumstance without sacrificing the beauty of the roof.
5. VENTILATION
If the ventilation system is poor, no matter what roofing material you are using, be it asphalt or metal, can suffer from extreme heat and moisture internally damaging the materials from underneath. In addition to that, low ventilation will cause a wooden roof to condense, and moisture will damage the roof.
6. INSULATION
If the insulation is poor and inadequate, the temperature can also affect the roofing material. You will experience difficulty in regulating the temperature if there is poor ventilation too.
7. INSTALLATION
Failing to install the roof properly becomes a reason why roofs fail before their expected roof lifespan We have been contacted by clients who have seen their roofing material fail within 2 years from their previous roofer’s installation. Even if you install the highest quality roof on the market, you will need to repair or replace your roof later on if the installation team doesn’t fix the roof properly.
8. MAINTENANCE
Every tough roofing system needs attention and care. If you do not maintain your roof, you will be compromising on its expected longevity, which can cost you a fortune. Furthermore, you may also lose your warranty’s validity if your roof doesn’t undergo proper maintenance or if it’s installed incorrectly.
9. AGE
When roofing material ages, it doesn’t matter how well-maintained and durable the roof is, you need to replace it. You will be making a sensible decision when considering the age factor before servicing. If the roof has aged and reached the end of its life, you need to replace it instead of wasting money on repairs and chasing leaks and other issues.
CONCLUSION
To find out how long a roof should last, check what material you are using for the roof. This is a major factor that affects the longevity of your roof. Moreover, you should focus on all the above factors and improve your roof’s lifespan.