For both homeowners and property managers, it is vital to understand how long roofing materials are expected to last. The roof's ability to protect a structure from the elements directly impacts the overall durability and worth of the property. Even among top-rated roofing materials, the expected lifespans can vary greatly—from around 15 years for low-end asphalt shingles to a century or more for premium slate or copper roofs. And the reasons behind these differences are mostly not about the materials themselves; they have to do with quality of installation, degree of maintenance, and how well the roof is suited to local climate conditions. Understanding these differences can aid greatly in budgeting for short-term and long-term expenses associated with roofing and help ensure protection of the property and preservation of its worth.
Maximizing the lifespan of your roofing material requires two essential elements: maintenance and inspection. No matter what kind of roof you have, routine care can help you to identify and address minor issues before they turn into big, costly problems. This proactive approach can save you money and "buy" you a lot of time. It's not really a secret that roofs have a set lifespan, but exceeding that lifespan is certainly a goal of any well-maintained roof. So what goes into a roof care plan, and what does maintenance and inspection entail?
When you're thinking about getting a new roof or replacing an old one, it's really important to think through the different materials and their lifespans. Most people, when they think of the cost of the roof, think of the upfront cost of the materials. But what's considered often is that some of the materials that cost less at the outset, like asphalt shingles, might need to be replaced two to three times over the lifespan of a metal roof. If you guys go with a metal roof on this building, that's a 40-to-70-year lifespan. And if you're thinking more in the 50-year range, that's definitely seen in a lot of properties along the Line.
