Determining how long shingles will last is something that most homeowners will have to face at some point in time. If your shingles have gone beyond their projected longevity, you may see signs of wear that require repair or replacement. Depending on the durability of the shingles on your home, repair or replacement will probably come, eventually.
So, is there anything you can do to forestall either repairing or replacing your roof shingles situation sooner than you would like? A longer lasting shingle may be what’s needed, but you have to determine whether to go with shingles that may have greater longevity, like 50-year roofing shingles, or should you stick with shingles that may be less costly and just deal with any repairs later? If you decide to use 50-year shingles, you’ll probably want to find out whether they truly last that long.
Will Any Shingle Last that Long?
In thinking about the lasting ability of say a 30 year roof shingle compared to a 50 year shingle, there are basic differences. For one thing, 30 year shingles, also known as architectural, dimensional or laminated shingles, rarely last for 30 years. With a limited warranty on them, the manufacturer will cover defects, and other issues over that period, so it can be disappointing when a shingle system is short lived. People looking for longer lasting architectural shingle are surprised when they realize that just because architectural shingles are supposed to last a certain number of years doesn’t mean they are going to make it to the 30 or even 50 year mark. That kind of confusion with a shingle choice makes it difficult to know what to purchase. It comes down to discovering how long roof shingles really do last and which ones will prove to be the most dependable.
Differences between 30 and 50 Year Shingles
The main differences between the two comes down to the manufacturing process, and the materials used. A 30 Year shingle continues to have the same kind of structure and consistency during the manufacturing process that helps it remain just that, a normal, everyday 30 year shingle with no added upgrades to make it last longer; whereas, 50 year shingles have greater strength and capacity because of their material makeup.
How Long Will a 30 Year Shingle Endure?
A 30 year roof will on average last between 12-15 years and that will depend on the climate in the region where the shingles are being used or will be installed. In a more severe climate, a 25 year shingle roof will last on average between 9-12 years. A shingle manufacturer will determine the level or grade of the shingles they produce and how warranties on them will compensate a buyer when shingles are defective.
Reasons Why Shingles Don’t Last
Besides the climate of a region, there are other reasons 30 year shingles are not going to last as long as expected. The following reasons are pretty much standard as to why shingles take a beating and don’t survive to the 30 year mark.
Ultra violet rays (UV) – The sun can wreak havoc on shingles and the consistency of asphalt shingles and their petroleum base can be severely denigrated by the UV rays of the sun.
Granule Loss – A coating of ceramic granules on shingles will help to prevent UV ray damage and penetration but eventually those granules begin to fall away which adds to the UV damage of the shingles. This continuous effect can cause the degradation of shingles and limit 30 year roof shingle life to 12-15 years.
Debris buildup – Build up of debris on a roof can also cause granule loss and the decline of roof shingles.
Temperature changes – Severe variances in temperature are another cause of shingle damage and longevity loss.
Storm damage – Repetitive storms and storm damage that involves wind, rain and hail are other elements that can age and damage shingles.
Other potential hazards – There are hazards that can be avoided such as tree limbs that can fall on a roof, damage shingles and wear granules away. Any large trees or other obstacles near a roof should be cut back or removed to keep roof shingles safe and free of hazards that can age and damage shingles.
50 Year Shingles and Lasting Value
Fifty-year shingles, which are obviously more expensive, are going to give you considerable lasting power because of their significant upgrade in material use in the manufacturing process, which improves the ability of the shingles to last longer than 30 year shingles. There are some other advantages to 50 year shingles that include:
- Wind resistance
- Hail resistance
- Overall general storm resistance
- Less wear and tear
- Durability
Other advantages with 50 year shingles may include a significant insurance discount on policy premiums, but you’ll want to check with insurance carriers to confirm those discounts.
With the advantages given here with 50 year shingles, are they actually going to last that long? That answer depends on the region and weather extremes in the area. Fifty-year shingles will last that long in a more even and temperate climate as opposed to one with frequent storms, possible natural disasters and high humidity. Obviously, occasional storms will not be a problem but if severe weather hits, like a hurricane, your 50 year shingles will probably take a beating. Extreme weather conditions will be what wears down a 50 year shingled roof. There’s no getting around that fact, but 50-year shingles will certainly endure the extremes better than lesser shingles.
Warranties with 30 and 50 Year Shingles
One thing to remember with shingle warranties is that most shingles are covered by limited lifetime warranties, including 30 and 50 year shingles. These warranties are aimed at protecting your shingles when manufacturer defects are involved. A limited warranty does not provide any guarantee that your 30 or 50 year shingles will last for the full amount of time. One way to deal with warranty coverage is to consider extended warranties and what they might provide in the way of coverage for 30 to 50 year shingles and other shingles that have limited longevity.
If you’re unsure whether your shingles are going to last as they should, feel free to complete the online contact form. A representative will get back to you with the answers you need to determine what shingle system is right for you and your roof.
