Do you know what kind of roof is on your home? What is the life expectancy? Most people don't think about their roof, until something happens to it; either the wind has blown shingles off, or water is coming in. There are a few common kinds of materials used for roofing:
Asphalt shingles, which are easily installed and are a good inexpensive option. There are lots of style and colour choices, range of prices and options, and it is easily repairable and is fire resistant. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. A woof roof will last up to 25 years when they are maintained properly and installed correctly. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
A metal roof is commonly seen in places where snowfalls are heavy. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
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. Leaks from excess snow on your roof can be prevented this way. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. Doing these basic necessities for your roof will add years to it's life.
Review your home insurance policy
Your home insurance is there to cover you in an emergency. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. When a roof is falling apart due to neglect or extreme age, the insurance company will either not cover the entire cost of damage, or could not provide any coverage for damages. 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, which are easily installed and are a good inexpensive option. There are lots of style and colour choices, range of prices and options, and it is easily repairable and is fire resistant. 20 years is the typical life expectancy for these.
Wood shingles or shakes: This material is also very popular due to the aesthetic appearance and life expectancy. A woof roof will last up to 25 years when they are maintained properly and installed correctly. This is rated Class C for fire rating, and some has no rating. Have a look at the building codes in your city. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).
Concrete or clay tiles are fireproof, attractive, and have a wide variety of style and colour to choose from. They typically last for 30 years, and are highly durable, with little maintenance required. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.
Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. Using a molten asphalt system, this is basically just tar paper and asphalt that are layered on the roof. Gravel is then added after the layers are laminated, and the gravel protects from UV degradation and keeps the layers flat on the roof. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.
A metal roof is commonly seen in places where snowfalls are heavy. These roofs are safer from collapse due to weight, because snow falls off of them naturally. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. In addition to its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your roof well maintained
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. Leaks from excess snow on your roof can be prevented this way. The rest of the year, keep your eavestroughs clear of debris. Doing these basic necessities for your roof will add years to it's life.
Review your home insurance policy
Your home insurance is there to cover you in an emergency. Normally included in these policies are wind damage, hail, snow or ice weight damage, and falling objects, to name a few examples. Damage that is caused by basic wear and tear is not covered, however. When a roof is falling apart due to neglect or extreme age, the insurance company will either not cover the entire cost of damage, or could not provide any coverage for damages. 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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