The average asphalt shingle roof is designed to last for right around 20 years. But there are some people who might have to replace their asphalt shingle roofs sooner than that based on their location.
Those who live in Florida, for example, might only be able to get 15 years out of an asphalt roof because of how much sun and heat the state gets. Roofs in Florida don’t always last as long as they should since the sun is always beating down on them.
If you’ve been asking yourself the question, “How long do roofs last in Florida?”, you should make it your mission to try and find out. The answer is usually going to depend on which of the roof types in Florida you have. It might also depend on how your home is positioned in relation to the sun as well as other factors.
Here are some of the factors that are going to decide how long your roof is going to last in Florida.
What Kind of Roof Do You Have?
When you first have a roof installed on the top of your home, you’ll have a bunch of different roofing options to choose from.
The aforementioned asphalt shingle roofs have turned into the best type of roof for many Florida residents. But there are also lots of other roofs that you can have installed on your home.
Some of your options are:
- Tile roofs
- Slate roofs
- Metal roofs
Each of these different roof types is going to last for a different length of time. Tile roofs in Florida and metal roofs in Florida, for instance, are going to last way longer than asphalt shingle ones.
With this in mind, you should consider what type of roofing you have when you’re trying to estimate how long it’s going to last you. It should help shed some light on approximately when you’ll need to consider having a new roof put on your house.
Who Installed Your Roof?
Do you know which roofing company came out to your home and put your existing roof on? This is going to be useful information when you’re trying to figure out the answer to the question, “How long do roofs last in Florida?”
If you had an experienced roofing company that has a good reputation install your roof, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about it not lasting long enough for you. But if you had a fly-by-night company get the job done, you could be looking at replacing your roof sooner than later.
Try to get to the bottom of who installed your roof if you’re trying to calculate how much longer your roof will last. You’ll feel better about keeping your roof for a little longer than you might otherwise when you know a reputable roofing company installed it in the first place.
How Much Sun Does Your Roof Get Every Day?
As we alluded to earlier, the sun can really do a number on the roofs that sit on top of homes in Florida. When the sun is beating down on a roof all day long, it can cause it to weaken and break down on a homeowner faster than it would in another part of the country.
That being said, there is a chance that your home might not get as much sun as other homes in Florida if it’s facing a certain direction. It might also not get a ton of sun if you have trees that hang over it and provide it with shade.
You’re going to need to take a home’s sun exposure into account when trying to guess how much longer its roof is going to last. The more sun that a Florida home gets, the sooner you’re going to find yourself asking, “How much does a new roof cost?”
Do You Live in an Area That Gets Hit by a Lot of Inclement Weather?
The sun isn’t the only weather-related factor that might have an impact on your roof’s longevity. Florida is also obviously a state that gets hit with a lot of hurricanes year in and year out.
If you happen to live in a part of Florida that sees its fair share of inclement weather each year, then you could very well be forced to replace your roof sooner than expected. You might not be able to keep your roof around for very long if it’s constantly being subjected to heavy winds, hard rains, and more.
How Hard Do You Work to Maintain Your Roof?
At the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to control the weather and stop it from wreaking havoc on your roof. But you can control how hard you work to maintain your roof every year.
In order to maintain your roof, you’re going to need to stop things like sticks, leaves, and other debris from sitting on top of it. You’re also going to need to keep your gutters working properly so that water doesn’t pool on top of your roof.
And of course, you’re going to need to make sure the necessary roof repairs get done. This way, you won’t have to be concerned about small roof problems turning into much bigger ones over time.
The harder that homeowners work to maintain roofs in Florida, the longer they’re ultimately going to last them.
So, How Long Do Roofs Last in Florida? It Really All Depends
As you can probably tell, there isn’t a surefire answer to the question, “How long do roofs last in Florida?” It’s all going to depend on what type of roof you have, what kind of weather you get in your area, and how hard you work when it comes to roof maintenance.
You should do whatever it takes to get as much life as you can out of your roof. It’ll help you avoid having to spend a small fortune on a new roof any sooner than you have to.
Check out our blog for more tips on installing, repairing, and replacing roofs.
