How long does a roof last?
How long does a roof last? It’s one of the first things homeowners want to know — whether they’re buying a new roof or trying to figure out how much life is left in their current one. The answer depends a lot on when your roof was built and with what materials.
Quick answer
- New GAF shingles we install are rated to last about 40–50 years.
- About 10 years ago the standard shingle was rated for 30 years.
- Older roofs commonly last in the 20–30 year range.
- A few problem batches over the years failed in under 10 years.
Roofs are lasting longer than they used to
The new roofs we install at Endurance Exteriors use GAF shingles rated to last roughly 40 to 50 years, and owner Ryan Ketchum has been very happy with how they perform. That’s a big improvement: about a decade ago the standard shingle was rated for 30 years, and before that the norm was 20 to 25 years.
What about the roof you already have?
If you have an existing roof, there’s a good chance it falls in the 20-to-30-year range depending on when it was installed. It’s worth noting that there have been a few problem batches over the years — including one experimental shingle mix that became the subject of a class-action lawsuit and failed in just 8 to 10 years — so some older roofs wear out far sooner than expected.
Get an honest assessment
With more than 20 years of experience and roughly 5,000 roofs installed across Waukesha County, Ryan can inspect your roof and tell you honestly how much life it has left. For many homeowners, a new GAF roof is the last roof they’ll ever need to replace.
Get a free estimate from a local Waukesha roofer
Want to know how much life is left in your roof — or how long a new one will last? Call Ryan at 262-565-8412 or visit EnduranceExteriors.com for a free inspection and estimate.
Endurance Exteriors serves homeowners throughout Waukesha County and the surrounding communities, including Waukesha, Pewaukee, Brookfield, New Berlin, Delafield, Hartland, Sussex, Oconomowoc, and Menomonee Falls.
About Endurance Exteriors — Endurance Exteriors is a full-service exterior remodeling company owned by Ryan Ketchum, proudly serving Waukesha and Waukesha County, Wisconsin for over 15 years. We handle roofing, siding, and windows with in-house crews we train and supervise ourselves, and we install premium materials like GAF dimensional asphalt shingles. With more than 20 years of experience and roughly 5,000 roofs torn off and installed, Ryan personally evaluates every project. Call 262-565-8412 or visit EnduranceExteriors.com for a free, no-pressure estimate.