How long does a 30 year roof really last in GA?
The fastest answer to this question is that the roof will last until it fails and begins to leak. This may seem like a dumb answer to the question but there isnt a fool proof date where a 30 year roof will last since there are many variables that determine the lifespan of a roof. Some of the variables include shingle quality, climate of the home, installation according to manufacture guidelines and maintenance.
Like discussed above a roof's lifespan can vary greatly on many different things but we will assume that the 30 year roof is made of asphalt shingles and not metal or tile. Most homes in Augusta use asphalt shingles on their roof due to the climate and affordability. For most asphalt shingle roofs to last 30 years they have to be made of premium materials and be classified as “architectural shingles'' which simply means they are very high quality. Like mentioned above there can be pretty big variances in this timeframe due to external causes such as wind, moisture, climate, damages etc.
To further provide understanding we will give an example; a 30 year asphalt shingle roof in colorado will only last about 25 years due to the large influxes in temperature and amount of snow/ice. During the summer months the shingles withstand very hot temperatures and in the winter time have to survive freezing temperatures for months at a time. The type of climate that has extreme temperatures during multiple seasons make the shingles more brittle over time and need to be replaced slightly sooner compared to a home in California where the temperature stays roughly the same year round.
To answer your question in another way, most asphalt shingles will last between 25-30 years, some last much longer than 35 years if they are maintained properly each year. The manufacturing companies that produce these shingles understand what a roof goes through over a 30 year period and have placed these time frames accordingly. Assuming the roof and shingles were installed professionally you shouldn't have to worry about many repairs unless the home goes through large damage such as a tree falling on the home or massive hail damage. A roof lasting for 30 years however does not mean that you will never have to routinely make small repairs or maintain it. As a roofing company near Augusta we understand how important it is to do a quick roof inspection at your own property every few years to see how the shingles are aging and if there are any areas that could use some maintenance or repair.
The cheapest kind of asphalt shingles are usually called “Economy” asphalt shingles, these can degrade by 25% or more over a 15 year period. It may not sound like that bad of a deal but this means that the cheapest economy shingle may last for 25 years but in most cases will only last between 12-17 years depending on how much wear and tear they have experienced. Premium shingles are much more durable and will last 30 years and maybe even more, this is why we always recommend them if you are able to afford the cost at the moment of installation/planning.
Be sure to maintain your roof regularly since roof maintenance will play a large factor in how long your shingles last. Roof maintenance can be things such as removing falling branches, cleaning off leaves, unclogging gutters etc. All of these things help keep a roof’s health positive and more likely to last longer through the years. The main reason why maintenance is so important is it allows water to drain from the shingles properly without getting trapped by objects that can cause water leaks to build over time. Water trapped by debris can degrade the shingles and reduce their lifespan. If you need a roof replacement be sure to call our Augusta roofers today for a free quote!
Like discussed above a roof's lifespan can vary greatly on many different things but we will assume that the 30 year roof is made of asphalt shingles and not metal or tile. Most homes in Augusta use asphalt shingles on their roof due to the climate and affordability. For most asphalt shingle roofs to last 30 years they have to be made of premium materials and be classified as “architectural shingles'' which simply means they are very high quality. Like mentioned above there can be pretty big variances in this timeframe due to external causes such as wind, moisture, climate, damages etc.
To further provide understanding we will give an example; a 30 year asphalt shingle roof in colorado will only last about 25 years due to the large influxes in temperature and amount of snow/ice. During the summer months the shingles withstand very hot temperatures and in the winter time have to survive freezing temperatures for months at a time. The type of climate that has extreme temperatures during multiple seasons make the shingles more brittle over time and need to be replaced slightly sooner compared to a home in California where the temperature stays roughly the same year round.
To answer your question in another way, most asphalt shingles will last between 25-30 years, some last much longer than 35 years if they are maintained properly each year. The manufacturing companies that produce these shingles understand what a roof goes through over a 30 year period and have placed these time frames accordingly. Assuming the roof and shingles were installed professionally you shouldn't have to worry about many repairs unless the home goes through large damage such as a tree falling on the home or massive hail damage. A roof lasting for 30 years however does not mean that you will never have to routinely make small repairs or maintain it. As a roofing company near Augusta we understand how important it is to do a quick roof inspection at your own property every few years to see how the shingles are aging and if there are any areas that could use some maintenance or repair.
The cheapest kind of asphalt shingles are usually called “Economy” asphalt shingles, these can degrade by 25% or more over a 15 year period. It may not sound like that bad of a deal but this means that the cheapest economy shingle may last for 25 years but in most cases will only last between 12-17 years depending on how much wear and tear they have experienced. Premium shingles are much more durable and will last 30 years and maybe even more, this is why we always recommend them if you are able to afford the cost at the moment of installation/planning.
Be sure to maintain your roof regularly since roof maintenance will play a large factor in how long your shingles last. Roof maintenance can be things such as removing falling branches, cleaning off leaves, unclogging gutters etc. All of these things help keep a roof’s health positive and more likely to last longer through the years. The main reason why maintenance is so important is it allows water to drain from the shingles properly without getting trapped by objects that can cause water leaks to build over time. Water trapped by debris can degrade the shingles and reduce their lifespan. If you need a roof replacement be sure to call our Augusta roofers today for a free quote!