What Roofing Material Lasts the Longest?

When you’re having a new roof installed on your home, longevity is certainly something you’ll want to take into consideration. While there are many factors outside of your control that can affect the lifespan of your roofing system—such as inclement weather or intensity of sunlight exposure—the material you choose will be the biggest determiner of how long your roof will last. That said, which roofing materials typically last the longest?

Slate, Concrete & Clay Tiles

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), slate roofing has the longest life expectancy, coming in at about 150 years. Right behind that are concrete and clay tiles, each with an average lifespan of about 100 years. While all of these options are great long-term investments, they do require a higher out-of-pocket cost than other roofing materials and typically have limited choices in terms of color.

Metal Roofing

Next up is metal roofing, which is rated by the NAHB to last anywhere from 40 to 80 years. Some of the most popular options for metal roofing are standing seam steel, corrugated steel panels, and copper roofing. While the latter is typically chosen for its beautiful natural color, which will develop a nice patina as it ages, the former are usually available in just about any color you can imagine, making them a great choice for homeowners everywhere.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roofing doesn’t last as long as the materials mentioned above, but it is comparatively cost-effective, which is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular roofing material. The average asphalt shingle roof lasts between 20 and 30 years, with 3-tab shingles leaning toward the lower end and architectural shingles leaning toward the higher end. Like metal roofing, asphalt shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, so they offer plenty of design flexibility. Also, asphalt shingles aren’t nearly as heavy as slate or concrete tiles, so they put less stress on a home’s structural components, which is a plus.

Contact Dreamstyle Roofing Today

If the time has come to have a new roof installed on your home in the Santa Fe, New Mexico, area, turn to the professionals at Dreamstyle Roofing. We’ll be happy to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about your project and how we can meet your needs.