Everyone wants their roof to stay in top condition for as long as it possibly can. But there are so many factors that can affect the lifespan of your roof. Different roofs handle the environment in different ways. Below are some common types of roof and how long each of them could last for you.
Gable Roof
Gable roofs are among the most common and most popular roofs in the country. Their triangular designs look great and are easy to recognize, but everything has its pros and cons and these roofs are no exception. Although they look great, they’re not very good at weathering the impact of high winds. So, if you’re living somewhere with high winds, you might want to consider a different kind of roof.
One of the best aspects of this roof is the fact that snow and rain slide off so easily. This makes them well equipped for areas with a lot of precipitation. It also means moisture won’t stand on the roof and cause internal damage to it. This helps the roof to last longer. If you use metal shingles on your metal roof the life expectancy is about 50 years. That figure will be lower with other types of shingles.
Hip Roof
Hip roofs have four sloping sides and are also quite common roofing options. The sides come together at the peak to create a long ridge along the top. This structure makes them very durable because they can’t be impacted as easily by heavy wind the way gable roofs can. The lack of flat parts on the roof also means that water and snow won’t gather and stand on them.
Like gable roofs, they are made even stronger if steel shingles are used. They can last 40 to 50 years, as long as they are looked after and proper maintenance is carried out on them. In areas with high winds, they will last longer and stay in better shape than gable roofs. Additional seams added to the roof during construction can also make water leaks a lot less likely.
Mansard Roof
This low-pitched type of roof has two slopes. The first is a slight slope and the second is much steeper. They are very good for creating extra living space inside the home. But, on the other hand, they are not very good at dealing with snowfall. They can also cost more to construct for people building a new home because they are not as common as other types of roof.
If your mansard roof is equipped sustain snow and rain it could last for as long as a century. Copper is often used on these roofs because it is so good at resisting some of the damage that come with heavy snow and rainfall. Asphalt won’t last as long as that though. It tends to last 20 to 30 years on mansard roofs.
Flat Roof
Flat roofs are pretty self-explanatory, but just because they look flat doesn’t mean they are. The slight slope allows water to run off the roof a little more easily. One of the major benefits of having a flat roof is all the space it creates on top of the building, making it really easy to inspect. They are also generally a lot cheaper to install and maintain.
One of the cons of having a flat roof is the fact that leaks are a lot more common. Since the slope is so slight the water doesn’t run off as easily as other steeper roofs. It is also important to inspect and re-coat your flat roof more frequently than a sloped roof. So, if you live in an area that has a lot of heavy rainfall, then this kind of roof won’t last long before it needs to be mended or replaced. In very warm and dry climates they can last 20 to 30 years.
Butterfly Roof
Butterfly roofs are found on modern properties, and they are v-shaped like the two wings of a butterfly. That means that a valley is created in the middle of the roof. They tend to be used on Eco-friendly homes too. That’s because they can keep heating bills low during the winter. And they make it easy for water to drain away.
These roofs tend to use the best modern materials because they are installed in modern homes. That means that they’re expected to last for many, many decades to come. And because the water runs off the roof so easily, they can cope with heavy rainfall at any time of the year. That means that leaks and water damage won’t be a problem.
If you are not taking proper care of your roof you could be shaving off years of its life. It is important to maintain your roof with proper repairs when they are needed. Able Roof has over 30 years of experience, and is proud to be the number one roofing company in Central Ohio. We offer free estimates and a lifetime warranty. Protect your home, and call Able Roof for the proof at (444-roof).
