What Is The Lifespan Of A Roof In Alberta?

Okay, it’s quiz time. How long does an average asphalt shingle roof typically last?
If you guessed 30 years, you’re in the ballpark—but it all depends on the type of asphalt shingle. A very basic asphalt shingle, 3-tab style, lasts between 15 and 18 years. If your home has architectural-style asphalt shingles overhead, the durability jumps to between 24 and 30 years. The fact is, predicting a roof’s life span depends on a number of important factors besides shingle type:

• Amount of sun exposure (too much may weaken a roof over time)
• Wide temperature variations and severe weather (both are hard on a roof)
• Roof colour (darker colours may not last as long)
• Overall slope (high pitch is better for a roof)
• Two-layered roofing (new roofing on top of old shortens a roof’s life span)
• Nearby trees (leaf debris and wear from tree branches can damage roofing)
• Installation quality (superior installation extends roofing life while inferior installation shortens it)
• Quality of attic ventilation (poorly-ventilated attics shorten a roof’s life)
• Roofing materials (economy choices do not last as well as premium materials)

How to Choose Your Home’s “Lid” without Flipping Yours

Choosing the right roofing materials matters. If you want your roof to outlast any of the elements listed above and keep frustration to a minimum, choose a contractor who uses superior roofing materials. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your roof:

• Asphalt shingles last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on type (basic vs. architectural)
• Metal shingles last between 30 and 45 years
• Concrete tile lasts 35 to 50 years
• Rubber shingles last 10-16 years
• Cedar shingles and shakes last anywhere from 30 to 50 years (depending on thickness and quality)

Prolong the life of your roof by paying attention to the factors above—and ask your Great Canadian contractor for more roofing tips today!