Some factors directly dictate how long your roof will last. If you take care of them, you can make the most of your roof. However, keep in mind that some factors like weather can’t be controlled. Moreover, performing roof repair when required is a surefire way of keeping your roof in top condition.

What Affects The Performance Of Your Roof?

Roofing Material

This is easy. The roofing material you select directly impacts the life of your roof. As it’s with almost anything else, the higher the price of the roofing material, the longer it will last.

• Asphalt shingles: This is the most popular roofing option in North America. Asphalt shingles can last up to 30 years. They are one of the cheapest roofing materials as well. They have three different types: basic, architectural, and premium. Premium asphalt shingles are usually costlier than basic asphalt shingles.
• Slate tiles: These are costly, but can last for more than 50 years. If you maintain them well, they can even last for 100 years.
• Clay or cement tiles: Their cost is also on the higher end and they will easily last for 50 years or so.
• Wood shingles: Wood shingles are not suitable for roofs, but if you do install them, they will support the roof for 20 years. However, there are better options at a lower cost than wood shingles such as asphalt shingles.
• Standing seam metal shingles: It’s the most common type of metal roofing and is suggested for people who live in a region where heavy snowfall is expected or there is a danger of wildfire. Standing seam metal shingles can last 30-50 years. Their cost is mind-range.
• Metal shingles: They cost and last the same as standing seam metal shingles. The difference in their appearance. Metal shingles appear like traditional asphalt shingles.

Weather Conditions

This is a factor that no one can control, but the impact of climate patterns on roofing is huge. Frequent rains, hailstorms, winds, and snowfall can damage roofs and reduce their lifespan.

Other than heavy downpours, strong winds, and hailstorms, sun exposure is another weather factor that damages roofs. Excessive heat and UV radiation can speed up the wear and tear of your roof and it can even result in cracks. Most roofs are dark-colored and absorb heat more than other light colors.

Therefore, when choosing the roofing materials, you should select a material that is suggested for the climate zone you’re in. Metal roofing is better than asphalt shingles if your region has to deal with rain, wind, and snowfall a lot. However, sun exposure can fade its finish quickly. If your region is warm and receives decent sun exposure, apply coatings for UV resistance on your roof.

Additionally, choose a roofing company that ensures proper installation of the roof. This is because any flaw in the installation will allow speedy damage to the roof when exposed to weather elements.

Installation

The impact of the installation and the roofing company is only second to the roofing material you choose. We mentioned the weather as the second point in this list because it’s something that nobody can control.

We touched upon the importance of roofing installation in the previous point. Even if you select the best roofing materials, if the contractor’s skills are questionable which leads to improper roof installation, your roof will sustain damage much more quickly than you would expect.

For instance: asphalt shingles can last for 20 years, but if they aren’t installed well, you may notice missing or damaged shingles within 5-10 years of the roof installation. You may end up replacing the entire roof after 10 years of its installation due to bad installation.

Moreover, many inexperienced roofing contractors either don’t provide a warranty or don’t stand behind their work. So, select a company that offers a warranty and is known to value the contract and the warranty.

Adequate Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation is considered during the installation of the roof, but it’s an important factor so it deserves to be addressed separately here. Proper ventilation allows the roofing material to breathe and doesn’t sustain any resistance or damage from the inside.

If there is inadequate ventilation, heat will be trapped in the house in summer. This heat will damage the roof. For instance: if you have asphalt shingles installed with inadequate ventilation, the adhesive used in the decking will be affected due to the heat. This will lead to curled or cracked shingles.

The damage caused by inadequate ventilation is not limited to summer, but winter months become hard for your roof as well. In winter, when you heat up your house using an HVAC system, it travels to the cold attic. There, condensation occurs and the moisture is trapped inside the roof decking. This results in mold and mildew growth, reduced strength of the decking, and other problems.

Roof Slope

The roof slope is not changeable, but you should still know its importance. The slope of a roof determines how easily it can shed moisture off it after rain or snowfall. Roofs that have a low slope can’t effectively shed water. Due to this, water stays longer on the roof and this leads to moisture damage.

Therefore, if your roof is not steep enough, take extra care of your roof. If you’re replacing the roof, choose the materials carefully and consider a durable roofing material also make sure the contractor is experienced and licensed and doesn’t leave with improper installation. Moreover, never skip the annual roof inspection.

Multiple Roof Installation

Contractors that cut corners usually install a new roof on top of the existing roof called an overlay roof. It can save the time of the contractor because they don’t remove the old roof, but it can cause huge problems for the entire roof and the structure of your house.

Keep in mind that multiple roofs are only installed if the structure of the house is built for that or strong enough to withstand the additional stress.

Moreover, an overlay roof has two layers of roofing material so it can trap more heat. Plus, there is a risk of ice dams forming between the layers leading to leaks and water damage.

You should also note that an overlay roof is not recommended because its lifespan is lesser than a traditional single roof. For example, if asphalt shingles last for 20 years, the overlay roof of asphalt shingle may only work for 10-12 years.

Roof Maintenance

Ignoring roof maintenance will lead to premature deterioration and damage to your roof no matter which material you choose. You should self-inspect the roof regularly to spot any damaged, cracked, or missing shingles. Moreover, hire a roofer for an annual roof inspection.

Usage

If you’re placing heavy items on your roof like solar panels, the roof will sustain damage more quickly due to the pressure of the solar panels. Moreover, if you have trees nearby your house, their branches can fall on the roof and damage it.

Conclusion

Roofs deteriorate over time but if you take care of the above factors, your roof may last longer than you expect. Make sure to hire roofing companies Tallmadge that provide lifetime warranty and choose the right roofing material for a long-lasting roof.