15 Year Roofs

Not surprisingly cheaper roofing materials won.

15 year roofs.

We just finished up a 28 sq two story combination. Insurance companies are tired of paying for old roofs because older roofs are more easily damaged. No missing shingles no leaking or attic signs of leaking. The day a roof becomes 15 years old the damages are estimated as actual cash value instead of replacement cost.

A lot of curling shingles and a good percentage of granules in the gutter. Was a complete tear off and new shingles 14 years ago. Damaged flashing the flashing reinforces weak areas on your roof like where the chimney. The expected service life of a 30 year product if properly cared for is approximately 25 years.

In the relatively mild california weather a 20 year roof would hardly ever make 18 years and 15 was quite common. If it were 19 or 20 years old i would just have it done. Many now 15 year old architectural roofs have 3 tab caps that are shot while the rest of the roof still looks good. If it s not cared for properly that 30 year shingle will only last 12 to 15 years.

Remember your roof can talk you just need to listen. Tear off 1 layer that was stapled over plywood. If i had to install a 3 tab now which i would not the labor cost per sq will go up negating any savings on the materials. If your roof is 15 years or older and you think it may be showing one or more of these common roof danger signs it could be time to consider a new roof.

The 25 year shingles cost only a little more than the 20 and they will actually last 25 years at least in the california climate where i learned this stuff. While many types of roofs last longer than 15 years some can hold up well for 50 years or longer barring a serious storm or a large fallen tree. It is largely thanks to assignment of benefits abuse and out of control claims costs thanks to attorneys and unscrupulous contractors. I can t imagine it would be even that good in texas.

A damaged 10 year old roof will likely get coverage for a full replacement. A 20 year old roof or older might only result in an insurer reimbursing you for what an older roof is worth at the time of the damage after decades of wear and tear. The truth is a 30 year shingle will not really last 30 years. Many companies are no employing 10 15 year age requirements for all roofs and some are even restricting new business to homes constructed in the last 10 years or newer.