How long a roof will last will depend mainly on the type of roof it is, the geography/weather of your area, and if it was installed properly. In terms of a roof type, for example, a common residential asphalt roof will last about 15-20 years whereas a metal roof could last an average 30-50 years. Here are some insights into the lifespan of common types of roofs: asphalt shingle roofs (12-20 years), wood shingle/shake roofs (20-40 years), clay/concrete tile roofs (20-40 years), metal roofs (30-50 years), and slate roofs (50-100 years). More importantly, not all roofing products are created equal. Certain roofing manufacturers produce better products and certain roofing products are better than others. Geography and weather conditions also play a large part in determining how long a roof will last. Roofs that are in mild climates tend to last longer than roofs in harsh hot or cold or stormy climates.

Yes, you can fix the roof yourself. But should you fix it yourself? – Perhaps not... Inexperienced homeowners typically misdiagnose where the roof leak is actually coming from. And in trying to repair the roof themselves, they cause further damage to the roof leading to even more leaking. Moreover, one of the biggest dangers of do-it-yourself roof repairs is climbing onto the high roof and potentially falling off and hurting yourself – this is especially true on steep pitched roofs. All of these reasons could cost you a lot more money than if you had hired an experienced roofing company in the first place. More often than not, you are far better off hiring a professional roofer to fix your roof for you.

Homeowners insurance will likely cover the cost of the roof damage if the damage is caused by fire, wind, or hail. With wind and hail damage, homeowners insurance will require the homeowner to pay their deductible. With severe hail, wind, or fire damage, many homeowners insurance policies will cover roof replacement even if the damage is the result of an act of nature or sudden accidental event. The majority of homeowners insurance policies will NOT pay to replace or repair a roof that has experienced gradual deterioration due to wear-and-tear or neglect. Roofs that are over 18-20 years old will have limited coverage, if any. When getting your roofing claim approved, make sure to keep detailed records of repairs, before-and-after photos, and reports from roof inspections. Hire a certified roof inspector. Insurance adjusters typically perform only visual roof inspections for their claim reports. Afterward, a certified roofer inspects the roof and finds numerous other problems that have to be addressed. The homeowner can then submit the detailed written report from the certified roof inspector complete with pictures to the insurance company, to have the claim adjusted to cover the full roof repair.

Finding the right roofing contractor can be challenging. You want a roofing contractor that provides great communication, shows up on time and completes the job, is an expert in installing roofs, and leaves your property like they were never there. And you want all this for a reasonable price. The best ways to find a roofing contractor that has these qualities is:

1. What Other Reviewers Say- Take some time and see what reviews the roofing contactor has on Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc. After reading several reviews, you will have a good idea of how other customers have been treated and how they rate the roofing contractor.
2. What Projects They’ve Completed- A great indicator of their work is the quality and volume of the projects they’ve completed. A roofing contractor’s website gallery can give you a great overview of the jobs and quality they have completed.
3. What “Warranties” They Can Give - Longer warranty periods give you total peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected by industry-leading roofing material manufacturers’ warranties.

When you choose a roofing manufacturer-certified roofer you know you’re getting the best in the business. Only 2% of roofing contractors in North America are certified by GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning. Plus, every certified roofer offers superior protection with a Lifetime Roofing System and has access to enhanced warranties, backed by the roofing manufacturers. Roofing Manufacturer certification requires the contractor to be:

1. Properly Insured & Licensed - For your protection and peace of mind, certified roofing contractors must have $1M+ Liability Insurance, workmen's compensation, and state licensing (where required and applicable).
2. Highly Qualified - certified roofing contractors are well trained and equipped with the latest technology and practices, ensuring expert installation (i.e. trained and certified, able to offer the strongest warranties, and high property owner job satisfaction ratings
3. Reputable & Trustworthy - certified roofing contractors must have a track record for providing quality roofing services in the community (e.g. good credit rating per Experian, good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

1. Budget – figure out how much you want to spend on your new roof. Then determine the best roofing solution for what you want to pay.
2. Durability – this has a lot to do with where you live. If you have harsh winters or very hot summers, you will have to select a roofing system that can withstand these types of climate conditions. Furthermore, if you live in an area prone to high wind and/or hail damage, you will need the highest grade roofing materials.
3. Style / Color / Curb Appeal – everyone wants to have the best-looking house on the block. Try and find a roofing product in the color and style that compliments your house’s surfaces and the surrounding landscaping.

When to replace a roof depends mainly on the type of roof it is. Below are listed some of the most common types of roofs and the average lifespan for each of the roof types:

1. Asphalt Shingle Roofs (12-20 years)
2. Wood Shingle/Shake Roofs (20-40 years)
3. Clay/Concrete Tile Roofs (20-40 years)
4. Metal Roofs (30-50 years)
5. Slate Roofs (50-100 years)

Other factors that affect the life of a roof are:

1. Proper roof installation
2. Proper roof maintenance (sealing, flashing, mold and moss growth on your roof)
3. Climate in your area (harsh hot, harsh cold or stormy/windy climates)
4. Wind and hail damage

As far as asphalt shingles go, the thicker the shingle, the longer it is going to last. Most importantly, you must hire a qualified experienced certified roofing contractor to do the installation. While it is typical for shingles to last between 15-25 years, the lifespan of your roof can be impacted by improper installation, complicated roof design, and long-term exposure to harsh weather conditions.

1. Three-tab Asphalt Shingles: These are rarely installed nowadays. They can be identified by their cutouts which make them look like three separate pieces. They’re slightly cheaper, lightweight, not as durable, and can last up to approximately 12 - 15 years.
2. Architectural Dimensional Asphalt Shingles: These are by far the most popular installed shingles today. These are thicker and are bonded with asphalt sealant and laminated with an additional asphalt layer. They have a more defined, beautiful structured look, and are more durable and waterproof than three-tab asphalt shingles. They’re also more energy efficient while increasing the value of your home and they can last up to 18 - 22 years.
3. Premium Asphalt Shingles: As the name implies, these are designer versions of asphalt shingle roofing. These are made to emulate high-end cedar or slate roofing. Typically, you will use these where ordinances or HOA rules will not allow real cedar or slate roofs. You will get the same look as cedar or slate at about one tenth the price

There are two types of roofing warranties: Roofing manufacturers offer material warranties and Roofing Contractors offer warranties on installation and workmanship - Typical Roofing Manufacturers offer 10-year warranties on their products provided their roofing materials have been installed properly according to their specifications. Only a manufacturer-certified Roofing Contractor can register you for a longer warranty (up to 25 years) with the Roofing manufacturer. Be sure to ask the Roofing Contractor how long they warrant their installation and workmanship for. Longer warranty periods give you total peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected by industry-leading roofing material manufacturers’ warranties.

You will want to look for these elements in the contract when the time comes to choose a roofing contractor:

1. A written fully detailed list of materials that will be used in the roofing project.
2. Specifications of the roofing system. Roofing manufacturer, roof type, product type, color, details on roof hips and valleys.
3. Roofing materials used in the project should include underlayment, drip edge, starter strip, , ridge vents, roofing accessories, ice and water shield, etc.
4. Roofing Project Scope of Work (PWS) should include removal of existing shingles, ventilation, flashing, etc.
5. What type of roofing work - repair, partial replacement, full replacement, full tear-off, etc.
6. Warranties on roofing product and installation and workmanship.
7. Contract element details like start and end date, payment terms, total costs, signatures.