When it’s time to put a new roof on your home, you might find yourself overwhelmed with options, from material type to quality versus investment. Do certain three-tab shingles really last up to 50 years? What about 30-year, 25-year, or 40-year shingles? What is the actual lifespan?
Shingle Lifespan
We understand your confusion. If a product says it’ll last 50 years, then it ought to last at least that long. And it absolutely can…but there’s a caveat.
Your roof isn’t something you can set and forget. Like all things, if you don’t keep up with regular, routine maintenance, it won’t last as long as it would with proper care. Without proper care, and assuming no natural disasters, your roof comprised of 50-year shingles may last anywhere from 30 to 40 years at best. This is nothing to sneeze at by itself, but it can cost you if your shingles wear out ahead of schedule.
This is not limited to 50-year shingles. Your 30-year shingles may last only 12 to 15 years if they are not properly cared for.
Fighting Back with Roof Maintenance
What does roof care look like? Essentially, making sure that your shingles are in good condition (not cracked or warped), that crucial components weren’t lost or damaged in any of the weather bursts the Ozarks is known to have year-round, that debris is cleared away and your gutters are cleaned to prevent leaks and other structural damage.
This is one of the reasons we formed the Dale’s Roofing DRI Maintenance Club. We know what to look for in terms of areas of concern, can catch and make spot-fixes to reinforce your roof’s integrity. We also maintain records of our maintenance visits, so if Mother Nature does tear through our area and make a new roof necessary well ahead of schedule, your insurance company knows that the damage was wholly unpreventable.
All About the Roof Warranty
Say you do everything right—you get the premium shingles and are careful to make sure you take care of your roof after it is installed. Then something happens, and it’s not weather related, and you have a roofing emergency on your hands. What’s your recourse?
This is where your warranty comes in, and why it’s very important that you know everything it covers ahead of time. Some warranties will only cover shingles (just the shingles and not their components) and not workmanship, leaving you to cover labor and installation costs. Do your research before you make a purchasing decision and be sure to ask about warranties that cover everything. Shingles, components, workmanship—cover your bases. Also be sure to ask about lifetime warranties, rather than those that decrease in value the longer your roof is in place.
Have questions about how long your roof should last? Reach out to Dale’s Roofing for a free inspection. And be sure to ask about the additional perks of the Dale’s Roofing DRI Maintenance Club!
