How Long do Asphalt Shingles Last?
Feb 04, 2021How Long do Asphalt Shingles Last?
If you’ve recently purchased a new property or are looking to get a new roof installed and vying your options, learning more about asphalt roof shingles may be your current priority. This is understandable since asphalt roofing is one of the most common types of roofing for residential properties.
If you bought a house, you’re probably wondering just how much longer the roof is going to last.
If you’re planning to get a new roof installed, you are probably thinking about the possible lifespan of your roofing options.
On average, asphalt roof shingles last between 15 to 30 years. However, if you use higher end architectural shingles, this could extend up to 40 years. There are many other factors to consider when estimating the longevity of your shingles. This includes the type of shingles, the workmanship during installation of the roof, regularity of roof maintenance, and the type of climate and weather conditions that affect your roof.
Asphalt Roofing Shingles
Asphalt shingles, one of the most common types of roofing material used today, are installed on nearly a hundred new homes because the material is affordable, efficient, and provides good aesthetics to your property. On top of that, asphalt shingles also include warranties that can cover up to 25 years.
Asphalt shingles are made of a variety of materials, including organic materials and cement fibers. These materials provide a sturdy and durable layer of protection against rain, wind, and UV rays.
The bottom layer of the shingles has a coating of black asphalt that helps in attaching the shingle to the roof. Installing asphalt shingles should be done on a day with good exposure to the sun. The heat from the sun makes the underside of the asphalt shingles sticky. This is one of the reasons why installing shingles under the rain or during the cold season is not advisable. Once the seal kicks in, the shingles should attach securely to the roof underlayment.
There are different kinds of asphalt shingles. The premium type, which lasts longer than regular roofing shingles, are architectural shingles. Architectural shingles are thicker and denser than regular shingles. This added thickness makes it more durable and resilient against stronger weather conditions. However, this type of shingles is also more expensive. But, in terms of both aesthetics and durability, they are a much better option.
How to make your asphalt shingles last longer?
While there is an average lifespan for any roofing material, there are several ways to optimize this. The average lifespan of a person is 72 years old but people have developed ways to live healthier and longer. The same can be done with your roof.
At the onset, ensuring that your roof installation is done properly will add years to your roofing. If you allow some rookie to install your new shingles, you’re likely to have faulty installation methods cause early damage. Asphalt shingles may come with a warranty of up to 25 years but this is usually a manufacturer’s warranty that only covers factory damages and defects. If the shingles are not installed the right way, this warranty might end up becoming null and void.
Usually, roofers also provide a service warranty. But this is typically only 1-2 years long. But, if they have to reroof your property, that means having to suffer through another set of construction days where peace and quiet throughout the day is near impossible to achieve. The best thing to do is to get a certified and experienced roofing contractor, like our team at Waddle Exteriors, to install your new asphalt roof. By doing this, you not only secure quality craftsmanship, you also get the best quality from your roofing materials from the very start.
After installation, you can’t just leave your roof to fend for itself. Asphalt roof shingles are durable and resistant to many different types of weather conditions. While you shouldn’t be repairing every minor scratch and dent, you should schedule regular maintenance checks with your roofer.
How often are regular checks? Having 1-2 a year should be enough. Aside from that, however, it is also advisable to have a roofer check your property after a heavy storm, snowstorm, hailstorm, or any other kind of harsh weather. This will help you spot any major damages. Getting these fixed might not seem like a priority but by doing so, you’re able to prevent even more damage from occurring. This would help you avoid even higher repair costs in the future and also keep your roof in optimal condition – which is what you want to do to get the most out of it.
Cari S. 