How many years will I really get out of my asphalt shingles?
Today, customers looking for roof repairs or a roof replacement may have heard about 25 year, 30 year, or limited lifetime warranties on asphalt shingles. The big question is, do these warranty numbers mean the shingles will last that long?
Well, the short answer is NO.
These numbers have been a misconception for many homeowners and even some roofers for years.
The warranty timeframes only indicate the length of time they will cover manufacturing defects, and has never been a predictor of lifespan.
Shingle Warranties - A Short History
Before the early 80s, many shingles were made with a paper core and had warranties of about 15 years. Coincidentally, those shingles would last about the same amount of time so the perception was that warranties corresponded with the shingle life expectancy.
With the introduction of fiberglass shingles taking hold of the market in the 1990s, warranties were extended to 20-25 years for 3-tab shingles, and 30-40 years for laminated or architectural shingles.
Finally, between 2010 and 2012, most shingle manufacturers started labeling architectural shingles with a “limited lifetime” warranty. (More on that in another article)
Again, even after extending warranties to “limited lifetime”, this is only a warranty against their manufacturer defects rather than an indication of life expectancy.
Factors Effecting Asphalt Shingle Life Expectancy
Weather is the obvious factor that has the biggest impact on the lifespan of shingles. During long, hot summers here in Northwest Arkansas, surface temperatures on shingles can easily exceed 130 degrees. Our winters often produce ice and a few decent snows that can sit on roofs for a week or two at a time. These extreme temperature swings tend to be harder on a roof in Bentonville than ones in milder climates.
Then there are tornadoes and hail. Probably don’t need to say much about that. Shingles don’t like wind or hail damage.
Take a look at this hail map of Northwest Arkansas. These are various hail swaths that have impacted our area over the past 5 years!
Ventilation is another factor that affects the lifespan of a roof. Every shingle manufacturer specifies a minimum amount of ventilation to be installed. This allows the roof to breathe and releases excess heat that might otherwise be trapped under the shingles which can create blisters in the asphalt.
Summary
After inspecting thousands of roofs here in Northwest Arkansas, we have seen a wide spectrum of roof ages and conditions. We have inspected roofs that were completely shot, missing most of the protective granules, that were less than 15 years old. Conversely, We recently looked at a roof in Rogers, Arkansas that was installed around 1991, yet the shingles were in impressively good condition. In our experience, the average asphalt shingle roof in Northwest Arkansas lasts between 15-20 years.
If you want to get the most out of your shingles, we recommend regular roof inspections and staying on top of minor roof repairs. You can save thousands and easily add years of life to your roof with a good maintenance plan.
When it does come time to replace your roof, Midcon Exteriors can show several quality shingle products and how to install your roof to get the maximum amount of life and protection to your home.
