Average Lifespans of Roofing Materials 

Many factors determine the longevity of a roof, such as the material used, roof design, climate region, quality of installation, and maintenance. However, knowing the average lifespan of your roof will give you a good idea when it may be time to call for a premier roofing company in Kansas City to come out and replace it. Here are the average lifespans of roofing materials. 

Asphalt 

One of the more, if not the most, common material used for both residential and commercial roofing in Kansas City, MO is asphalt. It is extremely popular, affordable, requires little maintenance, and has an easy installation process for roofing companies in Kansas City. The average lifespan of an asphalt roof is on the lower to medium ends of longevity, ranging anywhere from 20-40 years.  

Wood 

Before asphalt became the material of choice, wood shingles and shakes were used for years, and still are today. Wood is a bit more expensive than asphalt and may require maintenance every so often, but the lifespan is roughly between 30-55 years, given the different factors that may affect it. 

Copper 

One of the more durable roofing materials, copper has a relatively long life expectancy of approximately 50 years. If you’re lucky, copper has proved to last up to a decade! 

Flat 

A flat roof is, you guessed it, flat! Because this kind of roof has little to no slope and isn’t necessarily seen from ground level, it doesn’t require aesthetic shingles. Instead, for commercial roofing in Kansas City, MO, flat roofs have a variety of materials that can be used such as rubber, PVC, TPO, and more. Depending on what material is used and which roofing contractors in Kansas City you ask, you can expect your flat roof to have a much shorter lifespan than the rest, with an average of 10-50 years and you can’t even pick the color. For example, asphalt lasts about 10 years, while thermoplastic olefin membrane lasts between 40-50 years. 

Stone 

Stone roofs, such as clay, terracotta, slate, and concrete, are all extremely durable materials. Stone is excellent at withstanding weather and keeping its color. The average lifespan of clay is typically 40-60 years, while slate and concrete last much longer between 50-100 years. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to every roofing material, but the one you go with depends mostly on your budget, house design, and personal preference. If you want your roof to last longer than the average, the your roofing companies in KC recommend keeping up with maintenance and having roofing contractors in Kansas City come out every year or two for a proper roof inspection.