If you have done a little bit of digging into this issue, perhaps you have come across the ’25-30 years rule’ for replacement of a roof. Often, these numbers are used as a benchmark as many residential properties’ roofs might require replacement within that period. However, if you live in Ontario and other regions associated with a humid continental climate, a standard roof lasts for 15 to 50 years. Remember, such areas experience mild summers and chilly-cold winters.

According to roofing experts, the consistent temperature makes mid-range roofing materials such are rubber roofs to exceed the lifespan estimated by their manufacturers. Studies show that consistent temperature can add three to five years to a roof’s lifespan. However, you shouldn’t wait until your roof completely fails to replace it. To understand how often you should get your roof replaced, you should first understand the lifespan of different roofing materials.

Durability of materials

Different roofing materials have varying levels of ability to withstand weather damage and other elements that could cause roof damage. To know how often you should replace your roofing system, it is important to know how long your preferred roofing material can last.

EPDM: Most rubber roofs with slate and sawdust reinforcement can last for two to three decades. Sure, EPDM roofs can withstand several hailstorms in addition to being the most affordable roofing option out there.

TPO: This is the successor of rubbers roofs and is associated with an extended lifespan of three and a half decades to four decades. Given the specific climate conditions in Ontario, these roofs can last up to 45 years.

PVC: This is the strongest of all single-membrane roofs and can last for four to five decades. Sure, PVC roofs can go toe-on-toe with metallic roofs. Note that it can effectively carry your HVAC and other pieces of equipment as it has 300 pounds-per-inch strength.

Modified bitumen: Generally, the modernized version of gravel and tar roofs has a short lifespan of 25 to 30 years. However, modified bitumen roofing replaces tar with asphalt as a sandwiching material between several waterproofing layers. Note that the material exchanges impact the durability and overall lifespan of tar with asphalt, resulting in a short lifespan.

Mastic asphalt: This is limestone and concrete (that has been reinforced with asphalt) slab and can last for 50 years to 70 years. Given the unique weather conditions in Ontario, this type of roof can last for more than seven decades. This is the primary reason hotels and other commercial properties use mastic asphalt roofs. Unfortunately, the price can be very high.

Felt roofing: Well, felt roofing isn’t considered a durable roofing option because you will still need to replace it after 15 to 20 years. However, it is ideal for property owners who need commercial roof installation within the shortest period possible.

Concreted slab or tiles: Tile and concrete slab roofs can last for about 50 to 60 years. These are commercial roofs with solid resistance to heavy foot traffic and hailstorms. But they are costly to install, and the process is time-consuming.

Metallic roofs: If your roof has minimal roof traffic and you require a durable roofing option, metallic roofs are a great choice. When installed properly and regularly maintained, these roofs can last for 70 years or more.

Different-roofing-materials

Weather and environmental factors

Your roofing system takes a lot of external wear and tear each year. Snow accumulation, sunshine, strong winds, hurricanes, debris, and other extreme weather conditions have a direct impact on your roof’s durability. How often you will need to get your roof replaced will depend on the following factors.

The roof’s age: Every type of roof has an estimated lifespan. It is recommended to get your roof replaced within the last three to five years of your roof’s expiration. This is an important factor to consider when trying to determine when you should get your roof replaced.

Temperature: Depending on the average temperature of the region you live in, you may need to replace your roof less often. For example, Ontario has consistent cool weather, and this tends to prolong the overall lifespan of various roofing materials.

Ventilation: Most property owners choose the most efficient insulation solutions to lower the overall utility expenses. But they also need to find a good way of letting the indoor air escape to ‘relax’ the internal air pressure. That means with proper ventilation, your roof can last longer.

Should you repair or get your roof replaced?

It is challenging to determine whether your roof can be successfully repaired or must be replaced. Note that roof replacement is a costly project, and this is the primary reason most people opt to do regular repairs. Get in touch with an experienced roofing contractor to determine whether your roof needs repair or replacement.

Signs your roof needs replacement

Roof repair and replacement are best determined via a thorough, professional inspection. Here are some of the warning signs your roof needs replacement.

Cracked, loose, or missing shingles:  Old, worn-out shingles are easy to spot, and you can get the damaged shingles and lost ones replaced. However, this could be a sign of an underlying issue. Get the roof inspected by an expert.

Sagging roof: This is a major red flag that points to the immediate need to get the roof replaced. Keep in mind that a sagging roof might compromise the structural integrity of other roofing system components. If not addressed on time, the extra weight associated with debris or snow could make it collapse.

Roof leaks: Generally, roof leaks occur whenever shingles or another layer of a roofing material fails, letting water seep through the cracks and weakened joints. Leaks can develop inside ceilings and walls, and that means just because there is no water in the attic your roof is leak-proof.

There are many factors you must consider when determining how often you should get your roof replaced. Get in touch with a roofing professional to determine the current state of your roof and whether there are necessary repairs or need to be replaced.

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    Our customers say...

    Mark, Wes, and the entire Coverall team did an excellent job on our complex roof. They had to work flat roofs, steep angles, skylights, and shaped windows and did very high quality work at a very competitive price. The entire coverall crew was polite, professional and they did a great job cleaning up the job site. I have already recommended them to our friends.
    Mark Maybank
    Mark Maybank
    Not only do I not have any complaints, I have nothing but praise. Coverall did my house and three of my neighbors at the same time. The work was professional, the crew worked well together, they worked safely and were friendly. The price was lower than other quotes received. They took care to protect all figures on the property, and the site was kept clean at the end of each day. Literally not a single nail was found on the ground after the fact. Of, by the way, the roofs look great!
    Bob Lopinski
    Bob Lopinski
    Flat roof update in prep for solar panels. Mark and crew did a great job. Timely, professional and worked with my Solar contractor to make solution even better. Have already recommended them to two friends.
    Jane Fitzwilliam
    Jane Fitzwilliam
    Great job! The coverall team worked quickly and efficiently. The job, a complete re-roofing, while substantial, took them only 2 days, and was done to a very high degree of quality. The clean-up on both days was really well done, conscientious and meticulous.
    peter elligner
    peter elligner
    Great service! A day after I left a request for a roof inspection on their website, I got a call from Mark who came out within the hour. He took a look and explained his observations and plan for future follow-up. I was left feeling satisfied and reassured that my roof was going to keep my family dry and comfortable for years to come. Highly recommended!
    Ivan
    Ivan
    Mark and his team were well organized and did a great job on our roof. They showed up on time and on budget. They left the property clean each day after working. Would highly recommend these guys!
    Nicholas Badder
    Nicholas Badder
    Very impressed with George and his company. High quality work at a fair price. It was easy to arrange for a quote and George was happy to answer all of the questions I had from comparing quotes (with no pressure). His plan and answers made a lot of sense and so we went ahead and it looks great.
    John Rubinstein
    John Rubinstein
    Mark was a pleasure to deal with, in advance he clearly explained the work that would be completed and was honest with his assessment. The price was very reasonable given the scope of the work for both sections of roof, peaked with shingles, and the flat roof at the back. The crew did a fantastic job, they were very quick and professional, and their work was stellar. Afterwards they cleaned everything up, and my neighbours were very impressed. I would highly recommend Coverall roofing to anyone, my roof looks great and they were a pleasure to deal with.
    Caleb Krahn
    Caleb Krahn
    I normally don't give reviews unless its a 5 star service. Mark and his team totally met all my expectations. I look forward in working with such a detailed team.
    Carlos Fuerte
    Carlos Fuerte
    Mark, Wes, and team did an amazing job. The work looks top notch and the guys were super professional. Job completed on schedule and clear communications from Mark along the way. Definitely recommend and would use them again (although I’ll bet the waterproofing job they did will last forever, so not sure when I’ll need to do this again :-)
    Joel So
    Joel So
    Mark showed up within 24 hours to do an assessment. The crew completed the job in a little over a day. The work was great and they left the job site tidier than they found it. We were very pleased with their work
    Matt Schmidt
    Matt Schmidt
    Coverall has now re-done a roof on our old house and helped us with issues with the new house we moved into this summer. They're straight-forward, helpful and honest and do great work. Would recommend them to anyone.
    Michael Jones
    Michael Jones
    I contacted Coverall Roofing for help with a very small leak in a fairly new roof installed by the previous owner of our house. Mark came by quickly and got up on the roof to investigate. He determined the problem was likely due one of two possibilities: one was a small issue around a vent pipe and the other was a possible issue with the design of the venting. Mark fixed the first thing on the spot and let me know what to look for in case it was the latter and the issue recurred. Mark seemed very knowledgeable about rooves and provided good service. Recommended.
    Neil Padgett
    Neil Padgett
    We moved into an older home in Riverside and needed to have our flat roof replaced. I called Mark at Coverall Roofing and he got back to me with a quote that was lower than his competitors. I needed to schedule for a specific date and Mark accommodated me. Which was amazing! Mark's crew arrived on time and completed the job in 1 and a half days. They did an excellent clean up and we could barely tell they had been here...except we have a new roof. I would highly recommend Mark and his brother Joe, they even fixed some extras without charging me. Kind, courteous and clean, they were awesome!
    Karen Avery
    Karen Avery
    What: Flat roof Soprema, Railing Remove and Re-install, Metal CappingPrice: GREATQuality: TECHNICAL INSTALLATIONCoverall was highly recommended by a friend who saw my flat roof terrace and commented how terrible it was. He said that he had had a leak and had a terrific company and guy to recommend. When I called Mark he got back super quick and came by to take a look in 2-3 days. He was honest saying that if my roof wasn't leaking then I might just wait as it could last 2years or even 6 years.I still asked him for a quote anyway which he provided about 2 days later. It was for a good price and my wife said to do it for peace of mind. When the day came, his workers were fantastic. So many roofers don't follow procedures for installation of a waterproofing system.They stripped the flat roof bare to the plywood noting that the old membrane had been melted right on to the plywood - wrong.1) They removed the aluminium railing and metal capping 2)They installed protection board nailed down3) Torch down Soprema base layer up and over the parapet wall and 12" up the side of the house (siding and J channel removed)4) Torched down top layer Soprema system. Can see seems perfectly melted and joined5) Matching Gray metal parapet capping custom made and installed6) Fence re-installed perfectly with caulking put in all openings.
    Bruce Chin
    Bruce Chin
    Great crew, excellent work and very clean! Very thorough quote, review and follow up with Mark from Coverall. 5 stars!!
    Grant Adam
    Grant Adam
    We had a great experience with Coverall Roofing. Mark answered my first call quickly, took the time to investigate the problem and proposed an affordable fix that we are very happy with. The team of roofers that worked on the house were respectful, pleasant and easy to communicate with. We couldn’t be happier and will definitely be coming back when more roofing work is needed.
    Andrea Wong
    Andrea Wong
    George and his bros. and the rest of Coverall’s crack crew did a fantastic job on our house and garage over a several day stretch last month. It was a comprehensive roof replacement project which included several pitches of shingles, several flat roofs, skylights, soffits, fascia and eaves troughs - the works! The finished product looks great - a quality piece of work all around. They were very responsive in all of our dealings before, during and afterwards, and kept their poise when facing the inevitable challenges encountered on the job. I highly recommend Coverall.
    Jaime Shapiro
    Jaime Shapiro
    We moved into an older home in Riverside and needed to have our flat roof replaced. I called Mark at Coverall Roofing and he got back to me with a quote that was lower than his competitors. I needed to schedule for a specific date and Mark accommodated me. Which was amazing! Mark's crew arrived on time and completed the job in 1 and a half days. They did an excellent clean up and we could barely tell they had been here...except we have a new roof. I would highly recommend Mark and his brother Joe, they even fixed some extras without charging me. Kind, courteous and clean, they were awesome!
    Karen Avery
    Karen Avery
    Our roof was damaged during the wind storms. After receiving a word-of-mouth referral, we reached out to Mark at Coverall Roofing. He responded quickly to our inquiry. The quote was competitive. The work was done on time and professionally. A few weeks before the crew was meant to do the job, we experienced a leak through the roof. With 24 hours notice, Coverall did a repair for us to prevent further leaking until it was time to do the scheduled roofing work. Check out the Homestar and Google reviews for Coverall. They are reliable and professional. Thanks for doing a great job.
    Mark Rosin
    Mark Rosin
    Fantastic service from beginning to end. Mark is super knowledgeable, follows through on his commitments and doesn’t try to up sell you. His crew showed up on time and worked super hard from dawn to dusk, completing 90% of the big job in one day. They came back early the next day to finish off and cleaned up everything - our yard was cleaner when they left than when they started! Reasonable prices too. Highly recommend them!!
    Craig Cameron
    Craig Cameron
    Mark and the Coverall Roofing team were amazing! Very courteous crew and they worked diligently to get the job done in a matter of days. And...they left our property cleaner than before they arrived. My family and I highly recommend Coverall Roofing!...Mike & Family.
    Michael Flux
    Michael Flux
    Nothing but great things to say about Mark and his team at Coverall. They replaced our roof a few years ago after a very balanced assessment of what needed doing and what could be held off on. Mark is very responsive and came back quickly to assess a minor problem that arose a few years after the fact, with a promise to remedy it ASAP. I’ve recommended Coverall to many others and will continue to do so.
    Meaghan Cunningham
    Meaghan Cunningham
    I come from a family of contractors (they're in the States) so when I find a contractor that I consider as good as my family, that I TRUST as much as family, that I consider as reliable as family that is a MONUMENTAL experience. I can truly say that of Mark and Coverall Roofing. They are beyond excellent roofers. They work constantly until the job is done and they are super skilled at the craft of roofing. Yes I said craft. We had four flat and two gabled roofs our job required skill and finesse. They nailed it. And any subsequent questions I had were answered immediately. Mark always returns calls promptly. It feels like once you're a customer you're a part of the Coverall family. I'd give them 100 stars if I could.
    Maggie Cassella
    Maggie Cassella
    I had to have the roof of my 3 bedroom home re-shingled. I got three quotes of which Coverall was the most transparent and comprehensive. George explained exactly what he and his crew were going to do (remove the old shingles, install ice & water membrane, a drip edge, a synthetic underlay, replace vents and add two more, install metal wall and chimney flashing and leave the property clean upon completion) and when they were going to do it. The best part was that they did exactly what they said they were going to do (a bit unusual these days...). They showed up exactly when they said they would and did exactly what they said they would do for exactly the price they quoted. I highly recommend Coverall to anyone who wants reliable and high quality service.
    Neil Spaulding
    Neil Spaulding
    Mark and his team provided great service. It was a 1.5 day job. Mark and his business partner came for inspection and a quote within a couple days of contacting them. He gave us their first available slot for the job. The team showed up about 8 am and worked until 9 pm, closing down when we requested them to respecting our noise constraints and those of our neighbours. When they finished the job the next day their clean up was complete and thorough. On time. On budget (a very reasonable price). And Mark and his team were pleasant throughout. We are happy to recommend them.
    David Phipps
    David Phipps
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