When choosing the  material  for your  roof , take the  material’s  lifespan into account because this dictates how long your  roof  will last before having to be replaced. And that has an impact on long term cost.

 Roofing  style,  materials , and the climate in the area where the home is located are amongst the factor that affect the lifespan. Selecting  roofing  products with nearly the same lifespans will avoid piece by piece repairs over a ten to fifteen year period. In most cases,  roofing   materials  last for about twenty years. That is if the  roof  has been maintained properly and there has been no significant weather damage. Some materials have a lifespan of as much as 50 years while some others last as little as 10 years. Here are some of the common  roofing   materials  and their lifespans.

A properly maintained asphalt  roof  will last between 15 and 20 years. Because of the low cost and the ease of repairs, they are one of the most common types used throughout the nation.

The average lifespan of fiberglass  roofing  is from 15 to 20 years. Little maintenance is required and they come in many different styles and colors to match almost any desired look. Fiberglass  roofs  resist water and mold because they don’t have organic components.

Many homes in the northeastern portion of the nation use wooden shakes and shingles. These  roofing   materials  will generally last for about 15 to 20 years, and can even last for as many as 30 years if they are well maintained.

With an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years, slate  roofing   materials  are amongst the longest lasting  roofing  products.

Metal  roofing  can last nearly 50 years. They come in a wide variety of different colors, finishes, and styles to resemble other types of  roofing   materials  such as tiles or wooden shingles. These products are nearly indestructible from weather and can be installed over the current  roof .

A less well known option is rubber  roofing . It’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and long lasting. It comes as a roll or as individual shingles. The very first rubber  roof  ever installed was in Wisconsin in 1980. It’s still going strong after nearly 30 years.

So you see, there are many different  roofing   materials  each with their own strengths and weaknesses.