All The Factors Influencing Roof Lifespan

For most home and business owners, one of the most important questions is, “How long will my roof last?” If your roof is old and failing, the interior damage to your house could potentially be extensive and nearly irreparable. Water damage, dangerous molds, and pest invasions can all be tracked back to a damaged roof.

Luckily for you, there are a limited number of factors influencing roof lifespan, all of which you can take into account when deciding for yourself if your roof is in need of repair or replacement.

Environmental Factors Influencing Roof Lifespan

Two major environmental factors influencing roof lifespan are the local climate and sun exposure.

Generally speaking, your roof is designed with your local weather systems in mind. If you’re in an area known for extreme temperatures, harsh rains or snowfall, frequent large hail, or extreme winds, you probably have a roof made out of materials to handle those conditions.

In the event that your roof was not installed with consideration to your climate, your roof could be aging faster than expected. Luckily for our customers, we offer a wide variety of roof types appropriate for our area, and we’re confident that we can find the perfect roofing material and style to suit your unique needs and vision.

Additionally, exposure to ultraviolet rays and the heat emitted by the sun can slowly deteriorate your roof. In order to prevent this, make sure your roofer installs proper ventilation. Without ventilation, heat and moisture gets trapped by your roof, causing damage such as warping, melting, or even potentially burning.

To make sure this doesn’t happen to your roof, consider getting a new roof with a material made to handle the highest temperatures of your area, to make sure you’re never caught off guard by the sun.

Design Factors Influencing Roof Lifespan

Of course, there’s more than just environmental factors to consider when looking for factors influencing roof lifespan. The material chosen for your roof will obviously affect roof lifespan.

Asphalt shingles, for example, only offer a lifespan of around 20 to 30 years. More premium materials such as metal, tile, and certain composite materials can last upwards of 50 years or more. While there’s often higher costs with installing more durable materials, they could potentially offer better value in the long run. Just make sure to consider your climate first.

The slope of your roof also influences its lifespan. The slope of your roof determines how well water runs off of it, which has obvious results on longevity. If water remains on your roof for too long, even without leaks, it can cause a slow buildup of damage. A steep slope guarantees more water runoff than a flatter roof, which can even have puddles form on it if not properly designed.

Of course, being proactive when it comes to roof maintenance can drastically change roof lifespan. Cleaning your gutters, repairing holes, replacing any shingles or tiles, and even just keeping it clean can all impact roof lifespan. Most legit roofing contractors will offer maintenance services designed to handle any issues before they get too extreme, and we’re no exception.

Additional Factors Influencing Roof Lifespan

There are two more things you need to consider when looking for factors influencing roof lifespan: The beginning of your roof’s life, and the end of its life.

The initial installation of your roof will obviously determine how functional it remains in the long term. A poor installation could fail at any time, often at the first sign of extreme weather, while a proper installation could go years without need for anything more than a routine inspection. That’s why it’s best to hire qualified roofing experts to handle all your roofing needs, it can literally keep a roof above your head.

Of course, as roofs age, they naturally become less and less effective. Even a roof made from the most long lasting of materials, maintained perfectly, will eventually succumb to passing of time. Any additional strain put on the roof, such as solar panels or satellite dishes, can age your roof faster as well. Eventually, a time will come where you can’t extend your roof’s life any further, and you’ll need to do a full replacement.

Call New View Roofing, We’re The Experts

Whether you’re in need of a consultation regarding roof types, an inspection of an existing roof, or even if you’re in need of a full roof replacement, New View Roofing can handle it. We’re a family-owned business that offers quality work at affordable prices, backed up by our 25 years of roofing experience. If you’re in our service area and need help with your roof, contact us today!