Roofing materials protect your home from the elements, but those same elements take a toll on these materials. Exposure and time cause them to break down and become less effective, which means they need regular replacement. Understanding the lifespan of your roofing materials helps you anticipate the need for replacement, but sometimes the materials fail sooner than expected.
Shingles, tiles, and other roofing materials carry manufacturer warranties that cover the replacement of the material if it fails. This is different from the workmanship warranty that’s provided by roofing companies in North Wales, PA. Here’s a look at the lifespan of common roofing materials and how their warranties work.
How Roofing Material Warranties Work
A roofing material warranty is specific to the material that’s been installed on your roof. Manufacturers typically place a lifetime warranty on their materials, which means if a shingle, tile, or other material fails before the warranty period has expired, the manufacturer will replace the defective materials.
The manufacturer will also pay for the labor costs associated with the replacement as long as the failure is the result of their manufacturing process. If the roofing materials were improperly installed, the manufacturer will not cover the cost of replacement.
Average Lifespan of Common Roofing Materials
Roof covers come in a variety of materials and installation styles that deliver a specific visual appearance and protect your home. The most common type of roofing material used in Pennsylvania is what’s known as asphalt shingle, but other materials such as slate, metal, and wood are also used. Here’s a look at the average lifespan of roofing materials.
- Asphalt shingles: 10 to 20 years
- Architectural shingles: 30 to 50 years
- Clay tiles: 50 years and up
- Copper: 50 years and up
- Fiber cement: 25 years
- Wood shakes: 40 to 50 years
- Wood shingles: 20 to 30 years
- Concrete tiles: 50 years and up
- Metal sheet: 20 to 50 years
How Warranties are Invoked When Roofing Materials Fail
As previously mentioned, roofing material warranties cover material failures that are a result of the manufacturing process. But how do you know when your roof is failing as a result of defective manufacturing? Checking your attic area to find water intrusion or sunlight shining in where it’s not supposed to is one way to find out.
The best way to find out if your roof is in need of a warranty repair is to have it inspected by a professional roofing company at their recommended intervals. A professional inspection can uncover issues that are in need of work before they get too large, and identify materials that are failing before they’re supposed to.
What’s Not Covered by Roofing Material Warranties
The warranties provided by the roofing material manufacturer only cover the products they make. If you find a roofing defect that was caused by the roofing company, the roofing material warranty won’t apply. You’ll have to contact the roofer who did the work and find out if you can get the problem fixed under their guarantee or warranty. Good craftsmanship is important when it comes to roof work, so make sure to go with the best roof repair in Willow Grove for quality work.
Contact Ram Exteriors Today for More Information
At Ram Exteriors, we’re passionate about what we do. We use quality materials and our team of roofers are experts at installing roofs, patching holes, and making sure their work is solid. Give us a call today to learn more about how roofing material warranties work or if you’re in need of a warranty repair. We’ll come out to your home to evaluate your roof and give you an estimate that shows what needs to be done.