The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) considers slate to be by far the most durable roofing material, with a life expectancy of more than 150 years, followed closely by clay and concrete at approximately 100 years. The slate industry changed radically around the 19th century, when the Spanish developed an extraction process that allowed slate to be available for everyday homes. Although there were already some slate Roofer on Isle of Palms SC in the New World in the 17th century, it wasn't until 1785 that the first quarry opened in the United States. However, mass mining did not begin until the second half of the 19th century, and the use of slate peaked in the U.S.UU.
At the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of asphalt shingles. While this may seem like an expensive roof, it's worth understanding that, with proper maintenance, you won't have to replace the roof during its lifespan. Slate roofs are the most durable type of roofing material, as they can last a hundred years or more. A clay or cement tile roof is composed of individual tiles that are installed on the roof surface in overlapping layers.
Like slate roofs, the building structure and roof must be strong enough to support the weight of the shingles. Atlanta, GA 260 Peachtree St NW Suite 2200 Atlanta, GA 30308 (67) 365-3138 Map and directions. The roofing materials that last the longest are concrete, clay or slate tiles. These materials significantly outperform other natural products, such as wood slats or any manufactured roofing material, including asphalt shingles and the metal covers.
Although these materials have a good lifespan, they are not as durable. It's important to remember that materials aren't everything when it comes to roofing. In addition to choosing the right type, it is important to choose a brand of roofing material that is known for its high quality. For example, while wood shingles are generally estimated to last 15 to 20 years, opting for low-quality shingles to save a few dollars will likely reduce their lifespan by a few years.
Choosing poor quality materials, no matter the type, will always result in a shorter lifespan than if you had chosen a higher quality material. As in the photo on the left, a roof with vertical joints can be manufactured in situ with shears, brakes and other tools that convert flat sheets of metal (copper, in this case) into panels with seams. Simply put, slate roofs last longer than most of the structures they adorn and are considered to be the best roofing material. You can help extend the lifespan of your wooden roof by making sure it's free of moss and immediately replacing cracked or split tiles.
While there were some slate roofs in the New World in the 1600s, it wasn't until 1785 that the first quarry opened in the United States. So if you're thinking about the total cost of your roof over the lifespan of the structure and not the initial cost, it's helpful to know the most durable roofing materials. I think it's a shame, I worked on lead roofs that are more than 100 years old and I only worked them to replace the lead gaskets. Concrete has been reformulated in a variety of ways to produce lighter and stronger tiles, making them almost indestructible under normal conditions of roofing.
So what type of roofing material has the longest expected lifespan? What materials are the most durable? An average roof will last around 20 years, although properly maintained roofs can last much longer than their warranties suggest. Affordable and fire resistant, it's common to find roofs built on top of flat roof commercial buildings. Slate roofs can last a hundred years or more; this is evidenced by the fact that slate roofs were still installed hundreds of years ago. Wood shingles offer certain benefits, although they don't have the same level of longevity as slate roofs, metal roofs, or clay roofs.
One of the easiest and cheapest roofing materials out there, roofs laminated with asphalt come in rolls instead of shingles. If you're looking to replace your roof or install a roof for a new construction project, it's important to consider the lifespan of roofing materials when making your decision. In the case of asphalt roofs, qualified installers are omnipresent, but in the case of more exotic materials, qualified installers may be scarce.
