How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last [Average Lifespan]?

Knowing the average lifespan of asphalt roofing shingles when buying them helps homeowners plan their investments accordingly. Homeowners don’t expect to buy roofing materials with short lifespans, increasing maintenance and replacement costs. You need to go for sturdy roofing styles and types that could last more than the average lifespan. 

But how long do asphalt shingles last and how do you determine the best brands? Various factors affect the durability of roof shingles and roofing materials. Clay, cement, and wood shingles have a longer lifespan of over 30 years. In contrast, asphalt shingles last between 20 to 30 years of longevity. 

Learn more about the lifespan of asphalt shingles. 

The Average Lifespan of Asphalt Shingles

“What’s the lifespan of this type of roof shingles?” This is a common question for homeowners. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle is, at most, 30 years. But most homeowners can notice changes in their roofing quality from around 20 years of installation. 

Numerous external factors affect the roof’s life expectancy. Understanding how each factor affects the roof’s lifespan helps you elongate its service to your house. There are three types of asphalt shingles 3-tab, luxury, and dimensional. Each type has its expiration period and could change depending on the predisposing factors. 

Three-tab shingles are the lowest grades in asphalt roofs and can withstand up to 7-mph winds and last an average of 25 years. The dimensional and luxury asphalt shingles have an architectural touch and are more durable with at least 30 years of roofing service. 

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Asphalt Shingles

External factors affecting your roof’s lifespan start from its installation to the environment you live in and your maintenance techniques. Consulting a roofing contractor before installation helps mitigate or eliminate some of these effects. Check out these factors affecting a roof’s lifespan. 

Attic Ventilation and Insulation

A poorly ventilated or insulated attic accelerates the roof’s deterioration. Poor ventilation means the attic can’t regulate its temperatures effectively during the summer or winter, thus increasing the impact on the roof shingles and its adhesives. It causes the shingles to fall off because they aren’t held firmly on the roof or causes the shingles to war or curl. 

Inadequate ventilation causes the attic to sore trapped hot or cold air in the summer or winter, respectively. The hot air causes extreme expansion on the roofing structure, causing damage to the shingles. In winter, rapid contraction from the cold attic air causes the shingles to crack or fall off the roof’s adhesive. 

Ensure you align the attic’s insulation and ventilation to allow for proper circulation of the temperatures in all seasons. It helps reduce exposure and damage to roof shingles and also saves you repair costs because most insurance companies won’t take responsibility for asphalt roof replacement due to poor ventilation. 

Quality of Installation

Quality roofing workmanship is the key to an extended life expectancy. Poor work that doesn’t follow standard roofing techniques is costly, as you’ll have to deal with repairs or replacements as soon as they leave. It increases the overall roofing costs that exhaust your financial reservoirs. 

Hiring top-notch roofing contractors gives you the best chance of reaching the manufacturer’s expectancy limit. These contractors ensure every shingle is properly fixed by following proper roofing codes and standards. It saves you time, effort, and money, as you’ll have a sturdy roof that withstands different seasons for up to 3 decades. 

Weather Conditions

Rapid heating or thawing on the roof exerts heat and pressure on the roof, affecting its lifespan. Harsh climates add the impact of fluctuating temperatures during summers and winters on the roof. The result is cracked, warped, or curled shingles that spell roofing repair and replacements. 

If you live in an area with rapid freeze-thaw cycles, consider doing proper and timely roofing maintenance on your roofs. Also, consult the roofing experts before installing your roof to get proper guidance on the grades of roofing materials you should use. 

Maintenance

Proper maintenance and inspection increase your roof’s lifespan. Contact roofing experts within your area to schedule your roofing inspection and maintenance schedule. A dirty or poorly maintained roof filled with debris locks the moisture or dampness in the shingles, thus compromising its quality and functionality. 

In turn, it damages the structure and positioning of the shingles on the roof, necessitating roofing repairs. Tasks like cleaning and inspections should be done periodically to protect it from debris and other damaging factors. 

Type of Roofing Materials Used

Choosing high-quality roofing materials extends the life expectancy of the roof. Poor-quality roofing materials are easily degraded, thus increasing maintenance costs. Look into different shingle grades and consult an expert before deciding the type of roofing material to use. Choose the right texture, color, and type of material to give you the best functionality and aesthetics. 

Roofing Style

Your roofing style regarding slope, orientation, and layering affects the roof’s longevity. Flat roofs often have drainage challenges allowing water pools that damage the shingles reducing their life expectancy. High-pitched roofs allow debris to flow down and away from the roof more effectively, thus providing an extended lifespan.

The roof’s orientation concerning the sun’s rays determines its exposure to UV rays. A slope dominantly exposed to the sun will deteriorate faster than those hidden under shades. Similarly, multi-layered roofs have a higher life expectancy than single-layered roofs. 

Landscape and Surroundings

If your roof is directly under numerous trees, ensure you properly maintain and trim the vegetation. They can offer the best protection from UV rays but will also be the reason you’ll have continuous debris on your roof. 

How Long Will Your Asphalt Roof Shingles Last?

The life expectancy of asphalt roof shingles depends on various factors like weather, roofing installation and style, roofing materials, maintenance, and the natural surroundings. However, manufacturers set up to 15 to 30 years for asphalt roofs.Understanding the roofing techniques and elements will allow you to extend or reduce the lifespan. Inquire about asphalt roof shingles from your nearby experts for a rough estimate, given the local conditions or roofing situation. Contact us at Melo Roofing to get comprehensive information about its life expectancy.