How long does a 30 year roof really last In Durham, NC?
The shortest answer to this question is that the roof will last until it fails. This may seem like a pretty obvious answer but there are many different variables that come into play when discussing how long a roof will last. Some of the variables include shingle quality, climate of the home, installation according to manufacture guidelines etc.
Like mentioned above this question could have a variety of answers but we will assume that the 30 year roof is made of asphalt shingles and not metal or composite materials. On average a 30 year roof will actually last 30 years. There are some variances in this timeframe though due to external causes such as wind, moisture, climate, damages etc. To give an example; a 30 year asphalt in Utah will only last 25 years due to the large influxes in temperature. During the summer months the shingles endure 100+ degree temperatures and in the winter time have to survive through below freezing temperatures for months at a time. The type of climate makes the shingles more brittle over time and needing to be replaced slightly sooner compared to a home in California where the temperature stays roughly the same year round.
Most asphalt shingles will last between 25-30 years (some last much longer than 35 years) but beyond the 30 year period it will begin to deteriorate rather quickly. Manufacturing companies of asphalt shingles understand what a roof endures over 30 years and have placed these time frames accordingly. Assuming the roof and shingles were installed professionally you shouldn't have to worry about many repairs unless large storms damage the roof. A roof lasting for 30 years however does not mean that you will never have to do maintenance or small repairs. It is always a good idea to do a quick roof inspection at your own property every few years to see how the shingles are aging and if there are any areas that could use some maintenance or repair.
Economy asphalt shingles (cheapest shingles) can degrade by 25% or more over a 15 year period. This means that the cheapest economy shingle could last up to 30 years but also may only last 23 years depending on how much wear and tear they have experienced over the years. Premium shingles are much more durable and will last 30 years and maybe even more depending on the circumstances talked about previously.
Roof maintenance will play a large factor in how long your shingles last. Roof maintenance may sound like getting out a hammer and nails but in most cases it is making sure there are no leaves blocking the gutters, clearing off vegetation etc. The main reason why maintenance is so important is it allows water to drain from the shingles properly without getting trapped by plants, leaves, sticks or other objects that can cause water leaks to build over time. Water trapped by debris can degrade the shingles and reduce their lifespan.
Like mentioned above this question could have a variety of answers but we will assume that the 30 year roof is made of asphalt shingles and not metal or composite materials. On average a 30 year roof will actually last 30 years. There are some variances in this timeframe though due to external causes such as wind, moisture, climate, damages etc. To give an example; a 30 year asphalt in Utah will only last 25 years due to the large influxes in temperature. During the summer months the shingles endure 100+ degree temperatures and in the winter time have to survive through below freezing temperatures for months at a time. The type of climate makes the shingles more brittle over time and needing to be replaced slightly sooner compared to a home in California where the temperature stays roughly the same year round.
Most asphalt shingles will last between 25-30 years (some last much longer than 35 years) but beyond the 30 year period it will begin to deteriorate rather quickly. Manufacturing companies of asphalt shingles understand what a roof endures over 30 years and have placed these time frames accordingly. Assuming the roof and shingles were installed professionally you shouldn't have to worry about many repairs unless large storms damage the roof. A roof lasting for 30 years however does not mean that you will never have to do maintenance or small repairs. It is always a good idea to do a quick roof inspection at your own property every few years to see how the shingles are aging and if there are any areas that could use some maintenance or repair.
Economy asphalt shingles (cheapest shingles) can degrade by 25% or more over a 15 year period. This means that the cheapest economy shingle could last up to 30 years but also may only last 23 years depending on how much wear and tear they have experienced over the years. Premium shingles are much more durable and will last 30 years and maybe even more depending on the circumstances talked about previously.
Roof maintenance will play a large factor in how long your shingles last. Roof maintenance may sound like getting out a hammer and nails but in most cases it is making sure there are no leaves blocking the gutters, clearing off vegetation etc. The main reason why maintenance is so important is it allows water to drain from the shingles properly without getting trapped by plants, leaves, sticks or other objects that can cause water leaks to build over time. Water trapped by debris can degrade the shingles and reduce their lifespan.