5 answers to “how long will my roof last?”

One of the most common questions we get is: “ how long will my roof last ? ”

We wish we could tell people exactly when they will need a new roof, but the only answer we can give is: “it depends”. While you can start with the warranty rating of your roofing material as a guide, your roof’s actual lifespan can be more or less than the rating depending on many factors. The factors listed below can mean you’ll need a new roof sooner than later.

1. The Colour of Your Roofing Shingles

Darker shingles absorb more heat, which deteriorates the shingles sooner leading to a shorter lifespan.

2. Leaving the Old Roofing Shingles Under Your New Roofing Shingles

Called ‘reroofing’, it’s often used by roofers to save the time and cost of removing the old roof. Unfortunately, when you new shingles are installed directly on the roofing deck, it can reduce the lifespan of the roof. Many shingle manufacturers actually reduce the warranty coverage for their shingles if they are installed over old shingles.

3. Low-Quality Roofing Tiles

This might sound like a no-brainer. Of course, higher quality shingles will last longer. But most people don’t think of it as ‘cheaper shingles don’t last as long’. The lowest cost roof might be most expensive when you have to replace it sooner than later.

4. Not Enough Attic Ventilation

Properly ventilating your attic helps your roof last longer by reducing the amount of moisture in your attic. It also helps prevent ice dams in winter which can damage the shingles around the outside edge of your roof.

5. The Location of Your Roof

There’s isn’t anything you can do about this one. Simply being in Toronto & the GTA, your roof gets everything from freeze-thaw cycles throughout the winter, to the blazing hot sun in the summer. Other location factors that can affect how long your roof lasts include any surrounding trees and foliage, which can both protect the roof from sun, but damage the roof from falling debris; and which way your roof ‘faces’, including any sections of it that face directly towards the sun and bear the brunt of midday scorching summer temperatures.

To learn more about maximizing the lifespan of a new or existing roof, and more answers to “ how long will my roof last ? ” call us here at Chouinard Bros.