One of the most asked questions, when we sit down with a customer after completing a full roof inspection and discovering that we cannot repair a roof, is “How long does a new roof last?” we understand this is a concern for many Houston homeowners because let’s face the facts your roof isn’t cheap, in fact, it’s one of the biggest expenses a homeowner is faced with. Before you have your roof replaced there are a few things you may want to consider so that you make sure your replacement roof last as long as you possibly can but first let’s look at the reason you may need to have your roof replaced:
Improper Installation
One of the biggest reasons a roofs lifespan is cut short is due to poor quality installation. Unfortunately, not all roofing contractors in Houston install roofs the proper way and its quite noticeable to look at your roof and see if they replaced your roof the way they should. Do all sides of your roof look the same if one side of your roof doesn’t match the other side or the shingles are mismatched, they’ll be as easy to notice as the mismatched socks you wear. Some Houston roofing contractors with less experience and training cut corners to save money and time. If they ran out of the premium roof shingles, they may use mismatched shingles that are not the same quality and if they use two different types of shingles, they may also fail to attach the shingles correctly. Different types of shingles require different types and sizes of nails. Having a roof attached with the wrong materials, wrong nails and wrong roofing contractor will eventually require you to have roof repairs and impacts not only your curb appeal but the longevity of your roof replacement.
Another sign of poor-quality work is rooflines that are uneven. After you have your roof replaced if something doesn’t quiet look even check it out by simply taking a level and carefully climbing onto your roof. With level in hand place the end of your level with the 0” inch point against the roof and holding the level straight as an arrow to measure the vertical distance down from the 12” marking down your roofline watching the bubble stays in the center. If you notice any rooflines that are not straight your roof may over time began to sag thus shortening your roofs lifespan. When you hire a roofing contractor in Houston you want to make sure they adhere to all Harris County and Texas building codes.
Houston Outdoor Conditions
If you have lived in Houston long enough you understand our weather is always unpredictable, the only thing you can predict is that we are going to have extreme heat, high humidity, and excessive rain. The roof of your home takes the brunt of it all even if you have some trees to shield some areas the roof will still face exposure to UV rays, downpours that could have a healthy dose of saltwater mixed in and more rain than many other areas around the county. With Houston extreme weather your roofing materials can buckle, curl and crack which damages the structural integrity of your roof and consequently how long your roof last. Not only will the weather impact your roof but high winds from severe storms can make the wind blow around debris or make tree limb or branch fall onto your roof causing impact damages. If you are not aware your roof has damages, or you prolong roof repairs this can also reduce the longevity of your roof replacement. If you are in the market for a shingle roof replacement in Houston due to our climate you may want to consider a high impact roofing shingle that is less prone to damages. High impact shingles are more expensive upfront than a traditional roof shingle but over an extended period of time the money you will save in roof repairs will make high impact shingles worth the cost not to mention having to deal with calling a roofing contractor in Houston to come out after a severe storm or the chance of a roof leading to a water leak that requires a water damages in your attic or ceiling.
Improper Roof Ventilation
One area many homeowners overlook is the importance of attic/ roof ventilation. When you think of roof repairs in Houston often its due to a cracked or missing shingle that cause a roof leak not the ventilation system of your roof, but inadequate ventilation will cause a myriad of issues that reduces the comfort of your roof and shortens the lifecycle of your roof replacement. In Houston one of the biggest issues of improperly installing a attic/ roof ventilation system is your home is more susceptible to moisture and heat which is already a battle we face in our subtropical climate. Houston hot and humid temperature can lead to your roofs deck rotting and when this happens it damages the underlayment and shingles. When the underlayment and shingles become damaged your roof lifespan is decreased in the process. Furthermore, Houston rain can become a major home hazard when you have improper roof ventilation. When temperatures outside are different than the temperature of your attic condensation occurs that over an extended period of time will cause wood rot and mildew or mold.
Which Roofing Materials Last the Longest in Houston TX.
As they say all good things must come to an end and ow that we have a clearer understanding of why roofs do not last forever let’s look at which roofing materials last the longest if they are constructed with high quality shingles by an experienced roofing contractor in Houston such as EDR Roofing.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt roofs are the most requested roofing material in Houston because of their lower cost of installation. There are two grades of shingles to choose from three-tab shingles or architectural roof shingles which is more of a high-end shingle. Architectural shingles are backed with a generous manufacturer’s warranty if your roofing contractor is using shingle from a leading manufacture such as CertainTeed. CertainTeed architectural shingles are rated to last 30 years or longer because these shingles weigh more and are rated to handle wind gust of up to 120 miles per hour this means less damages. If you hare having your roof replaced by EDR Roofing of Houston they only use architectural shingles and offer this as one of the free upgrades they provide their customers. Now most Houston roofing companies use what is called a three-tab shingle because they are less expensive to install but they are great for our sever weather in fact some of these roofs only last 7 to 10 years in our climate but most last 18 to 20 years begore your roof needs to be replaced.
Cedar Shank Roofs
Cedar shank and shingle roofs last longer than any other type of wooden shingle and about as long as an architectural shingles, 30 years. However, if you use only the best materials and do routine maintenance every couple of years you will find a cedar shank roof can last as long as 50 years because cedar is rot and insect resistant. In addition, cedar is able to handle gust of wind up to speeds as high as 250 miles per hour, this makes them a popular choice for Galveston homes or residents who live in areas that are prone to have tropical storms and hurricanes. If you are looking to install a true Cedar Shank roof you must find the best roofing contractor in Houston because these roofs are custom made therefore lacking any type of manufactures warranty. One way to make sure you have hired the right roofing company in Houston to install your cedar shank roof is to inquire about their companies warranty. If they do not offer at least a limited lifetime warranty, then chances are you should continue your search and always get the company to put this in writing. Unfortunately, the days of doing business with just a simple hand shank are gone.
Slate Tile Roofs
These roofs last longer than any of the other roofing material on the market including asphalt shingle roofs, clay tile roofs, metal roofs and cedar shank roofs with a lifespan of 50 to 200 years. In fact, just a few hundred miles away from Houston in New Orleans you will find slate tile roofs in the French Quarters that have slate roofs that were installed over 100 to 200 years ago. Slate tile roofs are considered to be naturally fireproof and water resistant. They can also hold up to our ever changing weather and high wind speeds. Slate tile roofs also do not need much routine maintenance so while this is a steep investment these roofs are truly worth their hefty price tag for these hefty tiles.
Metal Roofing in Houston
With a lifespan of up to 70 years these roofs have become extremely popular for commercial building and have made some homeowners more adapt at turning a deaf ear towards installing a metal roof on their home. Metal roofs constructed of Zinc and Copper can last upwards to 100 years. Since there are different metals lets cover the most popular metal roofing options in Houston.
Standing seam: most common for residential roofs can last 50 years
Ribbed Metal: While, less costly than standing seam last 25 to 50 years
Stone Coated Steel Tile: Is a popular choice in Galveston, Kemah, League City and Texas City due to handling high winds and tropical storm wind speeds can last 30 to 50 years.
Increase Your Roof Lifespan with Quality Installation
If your roof needs to be replaced due to old age or a severe storm and you are looking for a Houston roofing contractor turn to EDR Roofing of Houston, a master shingle roofing company serving Houston, Galveston, Austin, and Bryan College Station since 2007. They are fully insured, trained, and certified to handle any size of job from a minor roof repair to a full roof replacement. Give them a call for a free roofing inspection at 832-791-9060.