As a business owner, you know that when the time comes to replace your commercial roof it’s probably going to cost a substantial amount of money. A common question we get is “How long will my roof last?” It depends on the type of roof you have on your industrial or commercial building, but we’re sharing some information below that will give you a fairly good idea of how long you can expect your roof to hold up.
Asphalt roofs typically last up to 25 years, sometimes less due to the low-slope structures these types of roofs are often used on. If your roof is steep-sloped, it may last longer. Factors that impact the lifespan of your roof are whether it was installed properly, shingle quality, and proper maintenance.
Metal roofs have a very long lifespan, especially when installed on buildings with a steep-slope roof. You can expect a quality metal roof installed by professionals to last as long as 50 years depending on the type of metal it contains. Common metals are aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, zinc and stainless steel.
TPO or thermoplastic olefin is frequently used in expansive warehouses, shopping centers and other instances where the roof is flat. Flat roofs tend to have more problems (such as ponding of water) than other roofs, and a TPO roof will last about 15 or 20 years on average. Regular maintenance and professional repairs often help extend the lifespan of this type of commercial roofing system.
EDPM or ethylene propylene diene monomer roofs have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years depending on installation and how well they’re maintained. EDPM roofs are usually used in flat roof applications as TPO roofs are.
Tile or slate. The longest lasting of them all, natural tile roofs often last for up to 100 years while natural slate may be around longer than we are – up to 150 years! Around for thousands of years, natural tile or slate roofs often have warranties of up to 100 years.
A PVC or polyvinyl chloride roof typically lasts as long as 35 years. This type of single-ply roofing has been around for over 50 years, however PVC is not compatible with asphalt and is prone to shrinkage although they are ideal in situations where grease, oil, industrial byproducts or other chemicals may come in contact with the roof.
Hopefully this info will enlighten you about the longevity of your type of roofing system so you can plan ahead for when the time comes for replacement.
Is it time for an inspection of your Atlanta commercial roof? From maintenance and repair to total roof replacement, count on Kelco Roofing to deliver beyond your expectations.
