Understanding the Life Span of Your Roof

There are many things to consider when determining the life span of the type of roof you are considering.  It is an important decision but also a costly one. Are you looking for longevity? Durability? Aesthetics? Lower cost? Or a combination of them all.  Educating yourself on your options is vital.

Some things to consider are which materials will best serve you and your home. You also must consider your environment such as coastal or inland or near large bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.  The wind zone of your area can be an important factor as well. You will also need to consider how long you want the material to last, and the costs associated with those choices.  

The most cost-effective option is an asphalt shingle roof with synthetic underlayment.  While it is the most basic roof, it also has the shortest lifespan of any of your options.  A quality installed shingle roof should last between 18-20 years in Florida’s environment.  You may start to see signs of aging within the first 10-12 years. It can be made more resilient with peel and stick underlayment but this is more important in high wind zones and a coastal environment.  

Metal roofing is becoming a more popular option.  Prices of metal can vary greatly depending on where you are located.  If you are inland, you have more affordable metal options such as galvalume.  As you get close to the coast or are in a high wind zone, aluminum is a better choice.  You can use galvalume, but the salt air will cause rusting and degradation of the metal and the metal fasteners in a relatively short amount of time, ruining the longevity of your typical metal roof.  Galvalume is not recommended for coastal roofing due this and many manufacturers will not warranty a galvalume roof near a saltwater environment. Metal roofs are typically installed with the high temperature peel and stick underlayment made for Florida environments.  A properly chosen and installed metal roof can last over 40 years being cost effective over a long period of time. 

Tile roofing is a classic choice in Florida.  Prices can be comparable to metal roofing though aluminum metal is the most expensive option.  Also, like metal, tile roofing generally uses high temperature peel and stick underlayment. Unlike the other two the weight load of tile must be considered.  The home must have been built and engineered to hold the weight of a tile roof. There are many different styles and colors to choose from to give your home a particular look such as Mediterranean or New England.  It is one of the most versatile options in that respect.  Because of the advancements in modern materials and underlayments, a properly installed concrete tile roof can last between 40-60 years.  There are newer materials made to look like tile however, when speaking to customers of their options I make the point that concrete tile has been around since the Roman Empire.  We know that the material is time proven and reliable. 

There are many things to consider with a new roof and these are just the basics.  Scott and Three C’s Roofing Inc can help you navigate your options for you new roof.