An In-Depth Look at Longevity in Roofing


Many factors go into a choice of roofs for homeowners including: durability, style, colour, roofing material, price and longevity. Longevity is perhaps one of the more important factors when deciding on a roofing material because replacing a roof is an expensive and time-consuming task. In other words, the  less often it’s done, the better.

Let’s take a look at the most common roofing options:

Composite Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Composite asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material. They are made of asphalt with small chips of slate and ceramic granules. Composite shingle roofs are popular due to low cost, an easy installation process and decent lifespan of between 15 to 30 years.

Wood Shake Shingle Roofs

Wood shake shingles are like traditional wood shingles, just of a thicker nature. These roofs are beautiful to behold and last on average between 35 to 40 years. However, they are extremely high maintenance. Debris must be removed as soon as possible. Moss can grow easily. Curling, cupped, or split shingles need to be replaced right away. Regular roof inspections are imperative for these roofs. Shakes are more expensive than regular wood shingles and are generally more expensive.

Clay or Cement Tile Roofs

Roofs made of concrete, clay, or slate are very popular in the southwestern United States. Clay or slate tiles may last more than 100 years with proper maintenance, while most concrete tiles come with a 50-year warranty. They are incredibly strong and durable. However, tile roofs are very heavy, requiring a stronger frame to hold the roof up. They are prone to cracking and care must be taken when walking on them. If your home is newer, you’ll never have to replace this type of roof; however, they are quite expensive.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs come in a variety of types, including copper, aluminum and steel alloys. They have increased  in popularity due to their ability to handle the toughest weather and their incredible resistance to fire. Metal roofs last on average between 30 to 50 years, and many last much longer. While they cost more than asphalt shingle roofs, they will likely only need to be replaced once in a homeowner’s lifetime. Metal roofs are also virtually maintenance free, a homeowner’s delight.

Why Mastershake?

The Mastershake Roofing System is unlike any other metal roofing system. Our proprietary metal roofing system leads the steel roofing industry for quality and performance. We have engineered our roofing materials to be stronger, more durable and easier to maintain than other metal roofing systems. We offer a 50-year lifetime guarantee on our roofs. When compared to other roofing materials and their expected longevity, we believe Mastershake is the most economical option.

To get started, contact us today.