Here are some questions that we are frequently asked:

• Q. How long should my roof last?
• Q. When it is time to replace my roof, how do I find a contractor?
• Q. How will I know if the price is a fair price?
• Q. What are standard warranties?
• Q. What kind of maintenance does my roof need?

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Q. How long should my roof last?
A. A well constructed roof with asphalt shingles, in the Northern climates, should generally last up to 25 years, whereas, the same roof in Florida with the same asphalt shingles may only last 12-14 year. All roofs should be periodically inspected and maintained. As you can well tell, a roof's life expectancy is affected by climate, weather, the amount of direct sunlight, adequacy of attic ventilation, number of layers of roofing material, as well as the quality of the roofing material itself. For example, in the west and southwest parts of the U.S., asphalt composition shingles have a tendency to last no more than 10 to 15 years on average, whereas in the northeastern states and around the Great Lakes area, the same roofing material can last 18 to 22 years or longer.

Here are some general life expectancies of roofing material:

• Asphalt Composition Shingle 18 - 22 Years
• Asphalt Composition Rolled Roofing 10 - 15 Years
• Built-Up Roofing 10 - 15 Years
• Elastomeric / Rubber Roofing 10 - 15 Years
• Wood Shakes / Shingles 15 - 25 Years
• Clay / Terra Cotta Tiles 25 Plus Years
• Concrete / Asbestos Cement Tiles 25 Plus Years
• Slate Roofing 50 Plus Years
• Metal Roofing (flat, standing-seam, corrugated) Indefinite
• Plastic / Fiberglass corrugated panels 15 Plus Years
• Glass Panels (sun rooms, etc.) 15 Plus Years
• Gutters and Downspouts 15 - 20 Years

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Q. When it is time to replace my roof, how do I find a contractor?
A. In order to find a reputable contractor, we recommend that you check with your local sources, especially the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. We recommend that you do your research, always get a free written estimate, ask for warranty information, ask for a timeline for the job, ask for at least three references. If you get a good contractor who does a quality job you will be happy for a long time.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), a roofing warranty's length should not be the primary consideration in the selection of a roofing product or roof system. The warranty does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roof system performance. The selection of a roof system application should be based on the product's qualities and suitability for the prospective project. A long-term warranty may be of little value to a consumer if the roof system does not perform satisfactorily and leaks. Conversely, if a roof system is designed, constructed and manufactured well, the expense of purchasing a warranty may not be necessary.

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Q. How will I know if the price is a fair price?
A. There are several things to consider when determining price: materials, condition of the existing roof, and contractor profit markup.

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Q. What are standard warranties?
A. Warranties for roofing materials vary widely with the products that they are associated with. There is a common misconception by roofing consumers that long-term warranties are all-inclusive insurance policies designed to cover virtually any roofing problem, regardless of the cause or circumstance. Roofing warranties typically do not warrant that the roof system will not leak or is suitable for the project where it is installed. Even the most comprehensive manufacturer warranties that cover materials and workmanship generally provide only that the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from specific causes specified in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically provides only that the manufacturer will provide replacement material.

Warranty documents often contain restrictive provisions that significantly limit the warrantor's liability and consumer's remedies in the event that problems develop. The warranty document may also contain other restrictions and limitations, such as a prohibition against assignment or transfer of the warranty, exclusion of damages resulting from a defective roof system and monetary limitations.

Long-term warranties largely are reactive (rather than proactive) solutions to roof problems. In general, they tend to undermine a prudent owner's initial concern for proper roofing specifications and application, as well as an owner's subsequent responsibility for periodic roof maintenance.

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Q. What kind of maintenance does my roof need?
A. All roofs and roof penetrations should have routine inspection and maintenance approximately every 5 years to insure that the sealants, i.e. rubber collars, caulking, etc., are still watertight and functionable. The type of maintenance and frequency varies (i.e., asphalt shingles do not require maintenance to the shingles themselves). Built-up roofing should be recoated every 4 to 5 years. The life of a roof can be significantly prolonged if maintenance is accomplished.