What Types of Shingles Last the Longest?

Replacing the shingles on your roof can be a really stressful process that can cost a ton of money and is something that people sometimes put off for a long time. It is easy to forget about how important your roof is until something goes wrong and the shingles have to go.

The types of shingles that last the longest are slate tiles because they absolutely last longer than other natural materials such as wood shakes or metal roofing and asphalt shingles. All of these types have a good lifespan, but none are quite as durable as slate, explains Roof Works of Toms River (https://www.bestnewjerseyroofing.com/roofer-near/toms-river/).

Of course, you want to inform yourself about other types of shingles to see what kinds may not last the longest but are cheaper and more common. That’s what this next section will be diving into and you will find a few different types of shingles that you see all the time on many houses.

Types of Roofing

Clay Shingles

Clay roofs can hold up for at least 50 years in the right setting and could potentially last even longer. These roofs are right behind slate roofs in durability and how long they can last. Clay roofs are a fine way to keep your house protected from the elements.  

You will see a lot of clay shingled roofs in Florida because of how well they protect from the hot sun and they do well in humidity. Not to mention, if you want to increase your home’s value, having a clay roof is one of the best ways to do it. 

These roofs look great and can be seen in a lot of very nice color varieties. Plus, they are resistant to fire and you know if they are popular in Florida, they can withstand strong winds and natural disasters like hurricanes pretty effectively. 

Metal Shingles

If you love the sound of heavy rain, you will love metal shingles for that classic rain-on-a-tin-roof sound right above your head.  

Metal roofs today are the most durable they have ever been and aren’t just used on old barns and sheds in the midwest. You can expect them to last 40-70 years if not longer and high-quality finishes can keep them looking gorgeous for a long time without a bunch of surface corrosion.

Also, if you are into saving the environment and things like that, metal roofs are sometimes made almost completely out of recycled material. Plus, you can save some money on your heating bill too because metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat.

Slate Shingles

These shingles have been the shingles of choice for European homes for centuries and some of the century-old homes still have those same roofs in mint condition. 

Slate is a kind of stone and it does not deteriorate or erode, nor does it take damage from fire, water, or the rays of the sun. Its durability is unmatched by any other type of shingle and it still looks great despite all that. 

Many luxury homes feature slate shingles and it would be unsurprising if the house fell apart before the roof did. If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with slate shingles, you probably will never have to replace them as they can sometimes last 200 years. 

Of course, it is pretty expensive to get them installed though. So, if you’re planning on making the switch, I hope you have thousands of dollars of spending money stashed away somewhere.

Concrete Shingles

Concrete shingles are one of the most cost-effective types on the market today and can last around 50 years if you maintain them and they don’t go through too many crazy storms or anything like that. 

These kinds of roofs can wear pretty fast on you though. Most people will find that concrete roofs lose that nice new look to them after about 30 years or so and start to look a little like they need to be replaced. 

However, concrete shingles will do their job and can keep out the elements for a long time. So, if you are on a bit of a budget to get a new roof installed, springing for a concrete roof is a great call.

Conclusion

In the end, all of these kinds of roofs will last you a while and all have their own pros and cons in terms of prettiness, durability, cost-effectiveness, and other things that roofers can get all kinds of nit-picky about. 

If you’re not worried about money, slate roofs are the way to go as they will probably live on longer than you, your kids and grandkids combined. So, hopefully, this article has given you all you need to know about how long different shingles can last and you can make the right calls when replacing your roof!