Dealing with Your Roof When It Gets Old
A home is not really a home. It is a collection of systems. These systems are surprisingly varied when it comes to their lifespan. Specifically, the may last a long time or, in the case of a roof, they may not.
When considering the number of years different roofs might last, it is vital to keep in mind that while materials and other issues certainly play a role, the biggest issue is the impact of the power of nature.
When you think about it, a roof lasts an amazingly long time. It expands every day when the sun beats down on it and then contracts when night comes. It takes all the wind can give, gets pummeled by rain and even holds up snow many feet thick.
Given the beating a roof takes, it is not surprising that the type of roofing material used makes a huge difference. A slate rock roof is like putting tank armor on your home. It is going to last for at least 70 years, but it is going to cost you an arm and leg to buy and install.
On the other end of the range, we have the wood shingle roof. Depending on the type of shingle, you can expect it to last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. It is important to understand that these shingles basically come from left over wood pieces with all that implies.
Unlike slate roofs, there is another concern with wood shingle systems. Fire is the problem. Embers landing on wood shingle roofs almost always turn them into fire pits. You can buy far retardant treated wood shingles, but they are not much better.
If you like tiles, I have good news for you. One of the best roofing choices you have from both a financial, aesthetic and fire resistant point of view is the tile roof. They will last between 30 and 40 years as well so long as you consistently replace any broken shingles.
One really interesting new type of roofing you might want to check out is solar shingle roofing. These roofs come in rolls that are spread out in vertical columns down your roof. They are layered so that they look like flat shingles overlapping from top to bottom.
The solar shingle is pretty amazing. Initially, it turns your roof into an energy producer. In some states, you can feed that energy into the local utility system and actually make your meter run backwards, which eliminates your utility bill. Nice, eh?
Having a roof over your head is important, but only if it actually keeps the elements out. If yours is failing, take a look at the different roofing systems available. They can change the entire look of your home and even provide power.
