Slate roofs are often referred to as a “forever roof” because they can last seemingly forever. If you ever travel abroad, you may notice that many houses in Europe have slate or clay tile roofs simply because they were easy to manufacture years ago and have been proven to stand the test of time (and the elements). The roofing material that lasts the longest is concrete, clay or slate shingles. These materials significantly outperform other natural products, such as wooden slats or any fabricated roofing material, including asphalt shingles and metal roofing.
Although these materials have a good lifespan, they are not as durable. Composite asphalt shingles can be expected to last 15 to 40 years, depending on the quality of the materials chosen. Some tile roofs can even last up to 50 years. Most manufacturers of tile roofs offer a range of products with different weights and different life expectancy.
As a result, manufacturers such as Owens Corning, GAF or Certainteed come with high-end warranties that exceed half a century. Polymer plastic roofs will last more than 50 years and are an incredibly durable roofing material. Polymer roofing shingles are created to look like slate or wood shingles, but require much less maintenance. Lasts between 35 and 40 years.
In many ways, metal roofs with vertical seams could be a more cost-effective option than the much more popular asphalt shingle roof. One of the reasons it's so durable is that slate roofs are real stones that are placed very densely on top of the roof. Metal roofs with vertical stitching have gained a lot of popularity due to their strength, their lifespan, their different appeal (which increases the value of homes) and the fact that many of them can be sustainably produced and are highly recyclable after the roof has worn out in half a century (instead of occupying more space in the landfill with a high degradation time (such as asphalt). If you're considering re-roofing your home, your investment in roofing materials has a direct correlation to how long you can expect your new roof to last.
Maximizing the lifespan of a built roof is achieved by regular inspection and repair and by keeping debris away from the roof to prevent surface degradation. As a result of this combination, tile roofs are easily the most popular type of installation you'll see all over the United States. Tiled roofs have been used for centuries and are iconic of the Southwest, and there are many historic Spanish tile roofs that have stood for more than 100 years and are still in good condition. Slate, concrete and clay shingles, according to the National Association of Home Builders, are the most durable roofing materials, with a life expectancy of 100 years or more.
They require a roof frame sturdy enough to support the weight and must be installed by qualified professionals. Composite tile roofs are the most popular of all roofing materials and are found in more than 80 percent of all homes. However, not all signs are visible to the untrained eye, so if you suspect damage, call a roofing professional to come out and inspect the roof. Except for large remodeling projects, such as renovating a kitchen or bathroom, installing new ceilings is one of the most expensive home improvement repairs a homeowner faces.
Traditional shingles are made of terracotta clay, but there are also ceramic tile roofs (made of fired clay), as well as concrete tile roofs. The membrane is often referred to as a rubber roof and is a lot like rolled asphalt roofs in the sense that they come in large pieces. When asphalt shingles start to be between 15 and 20 years old, or if the roof has been damaged by a storm, you should consider inspecting the roof to determine if you need to replace them. Metal roofs are impact-resistant and will serve you well in adverse weather conditions (plus, the sound of rain on a metal roof is wonderful).
.
