How long does a roof last?

Roof longevity is dependent on the type of the roof covering, the quality of the initial materials, craftsmanship of installation, as well as how well the roof is maintained. Below are some rough guidelines to help.

Three Tab Shingles - between 15 & 20 years.

Dimensional or Architectural Shingles - between 20 & 30 years.

Metal Roofs - 50+ years.

Slate, Concrete, Ceramic – Between 50 & 100 years.

By far the most prevalent roof covering throughout the Treasure Valley and the U.S. is asphalt based shingles sometimes called composition shingles. Three Tab and Architectural shingles are both asphalt-based products.

When should you replace your roof?

This depends on many factors such as age of the roof, the weather it is subjected to, the time of year it was installed, the quality of the shingles, and if the roof has adequate ventilation. When your roof is 12 years old, if not before, you should start to look for these warning signs.

If you start to see any of these signs it means your roof is nearing its useful life expectancy and may need repairs or replacement. At 15 years or more you should have your roof inspected by a professional to ensure its integrity in keeping your family and home dry and protected. A lot of roofs throughout the Boise Idaho area will have a 15 to 20 year life expectancy, some longer, some much less. It is a good idea to look at your roof from all angles after any major storms as well as once a quarter.