The life of a roof shingle is quite fascinating for the fact that they can “die” in a short period of time or they can last for many years without a hitch. To some, a shingle is just a piece or material that is nailed onto a roof and keeps the water out. It helps to drain water away and into the gutter system that then channels water away from the home. It seems rather simple, but the truth is that it is not simple at all. As a matter of fact, a roof shingle is more complicated in that.

Minnesota roofing seems to be largely made up of asphalt shingles. When a hail storm, wind storm, or a large snow storm makes its way through the state or areas of the state, some shingles seem to stand up to the challenge and others don’t, so why is this?

This is because Minnesota roofing contractors are experienced in installing different types of roof shingles. These roof shingles come in different weights. The heavier the weight, the longer it will last. As for the life expectancy, there are a number of factors that come into play.

Minnesota Shingle Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a shingle is reliant upon things that you may have never thought would be factors. For instance, attic ventilation plays a role in shingle life expectancy. The hotter the attic stays during the summer, the shorter the life expectancy of the shingle. Other factors include:

• The color of the shingle also plays a role. The lighter the shingle, the less heat it pulls in. Heat is a big culprit in shortening the life of shingles.
• One side of the roof may receive more inclement weather than the other. The side that tends to take the brunt of the wind, rain, hail, and other weather will be the side that wears out faster.
• The pitch and slope of the roof also affects the life expectancy. Having a combination of harsh winters and hot summers can reduce the life expectancy.

Although manufacturers will package their shingles as twenty year, twenty-five year, or thirty-year shingles, this is the life expectancy they were designed to have. However, this is without the weather patterns that Minnesota tends to inflict on its citizens. Here are the facts regarding Minnesota asphalt shingles and their projected life expectancy:

• Twenty year shingles may last on average of fifteen years. They usually start to show deterioration between the ten and twelve year marks.
• Twenty-five year shingles last around eighteen to twenty years.
• Thirty year shingles last around twenty-five years.

Inspections

So don’t let the expected life expectancy of a roof shingle throw you off. You will need to have regular roof inspections by a qualified Minneapolis roofing inspector. These inspections should take place after storms in which there was hail, wind, or flying debris. You should also have your roof inspected in the late spring and in the fall to see the toll the winter and the summer did to your roof. The summer and winter tends to be the harshest, so inspections can help you address small problems before they become major problems. This will extend the life of your asphalt shingles and help you replace your roof closer to their life expectancy rather than prematurely.