How long a roof lasts is decided by the material, the climate it sits in, and how much maintenance it receives. Here is how the common materials compare on those three.
Asphalt shingles
The most common roofing in North America, and the most repairable. Rated lives run from around 20 to 30 years, and real lives are often shorter where ventilation is poor or the sun is strong.
The advantage is cost and serviceability. The disadvantage is that asphalt dries out, and once it does, the granules begin to go.
Metal
Metal panels last a long time where the coating stays intact, and they reflect heat well. Fasteners, seams and the cut edges are where they fail, and repairs need matching panels.
Metal roofs are outside the NuRoof range: not every material takes the same chemistry, and we would rather say so than sell a treatment that does not apply.
Tile and slate
Clay and concrete tile can last decades, but they are heavy and brittle, and the underlayment beneath them ages faster than the tile does. Slate is the longest-lived of the common options and the most expensive to repair.
On these roofs the maintenance question is usually about the underlayment and the flashings, not the surface.
Cost over time, not cost today
Comparing materials on the day of installation flatters the cheapest option. Comparing them over thirty years, including repairs and the energy a reflective surface saves, usually flatters the better one.
If your current roof is still sound, protecting it is normally the lowest-cost way to add years, whichever material is on the deck.
Source
Written for Dr. Armor. The original GoNano article this guide draws on: Lifespan of different roofing materials
Questions
Common questions, answered in full
- How long does roof rejuvenation last?Coverage runs from 3 to 20 years, and the roof’s condition score decides which.
- Can you treat a roof that is leaking?No. A leak is a repair job and has to be fixed before any treatment.
- What does the warranty cover?Peeling, curling or warping caused by the treatment, and water getting through.