How Long Does a Roof Last?

As a homeowner, buying a new roof is a big and important investment. As with any investment of this size, you want to get good value for your money. That’s why many homeowners commonly ask, “How long does a roof last?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question.

Most roofers will say that asphalt shingles can last 25 to 30 years. Is that really true? The actual answer depends on many factors, including if the shingles are professionally installed and well maintained during their life cycle. If you live in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey or Pennsylvania and would like to receive a free quote for your roof replacement, contact the expert roofers at PJ Fitzpatrick. We’ve been the most trusted name in the area since 1980.

Factors That Affect the Life Span of Your Roof

Beyond maintaining your roof well and hiring a reputable home improvement company like PJ Fitzpatrick, several factors can affect its life span. Here are some of the most common factors that may shorten the life of your roof.

Type of Roofing Material

Each roofing material has an expected life cycle. In general, asphalt is on the low end of the spectrum compared to other roofing materials, such as metal and slate. Despite that, asphalt is the most affordable, which makes it a popular option for many homeowners.

Even among asphalt roofing, not all shingles are created equally. For example, three-tab asphalt shingles typically have a life span of around 25 years. On the other hand, dimensional shingles usually come with a 30-year warranty. At PJ Fitzpatrick we offer a variety of asphalt shingles to choose from so you can pick the style and color that is best for your home.

Weather and Attic Ventilation

Heat is a major enemy of your roof. Because of that, the weather in your area and your attic ventilation are two other important factors to consider. Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather. If your home gets a lot of direct sunlight the life span of your roof might be on the shorter side. The same is true if you live in an area that receives a lot of inclement weather, especially hail.

If you’ve ever been in your attic during the summer, you’ve probably noticed how hot it gets up there. Proper attic ventilation is important to ensure you get the maximum life out of any roofing material. You should hire a professional to do an inspection of your roof. An expert roofer can make sure that it has proper ventilation and, if it doesn’t, check for any damage that might be present.

The Direction Your House Faces

Did you know that the direction your house faces will factor into the life span of the roof? Just think about where the sun rises and sets. If your home faces East or West, then each side gets an equal amount of sun. If it faces east, for instance, the front of the roof gets a lot of sun in the morning. As the sun sets in the west, the back of the roof gets sun. If your house faces north or south, both sides of the roof receive sun throughout the entire day. Over the years, this really takes a toll on shingles and other roofing materials.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Roof?

Even though you now have a little bit of a better idea how long a roof should last, it still might be difficult to tell when it’s time to replace it. The answer lies in hiring a contractor, like PJ Fitzpatrick, to inspect your roof.

You should have an expert roofer perform general maintenance on your roof regularly. It’s best to have it inspected once in the spring and again in the fall right before the harsher summer and winter weather hits. During the inspection we can take care of any minor roof repairs, and if it’s time to replace your roof we can let you know that as well.

Hire PJ Fitzpatrick for All of Your Roofing Services

When you need a reputable roofer, you can’t go wrong with PJ Fitzpatrick. With over 40 years in business, we’ve made a name for ourselves throughout the Delaware Valley. All of our roof installs come with a limited lifetime warranty on not only the labor but also the materials.

We proudly stand behind the work that we do, which is why we only use the highest quality materials. Attention to detail is why we choose to use CertainTeed shingles for all of our roofing projects. Unlike other roofers in the area, we would never recommend a shingle overlay for your home. We want to make sure that you get the best value for your money. Don’t trust a big investment like replacing your roof to just anyone. Contact PJ Fitzpatrick today to schedule a quote or roof inspection!