do shingles really last 50 years ?

[ladykemma]

i need to give the guy an answer today so he can order material tomorrow.

i need to choose between ELK brand asphalt/fiberglass shingles . we can afford the expensive ones.

the roof man suggests the plain 30 year (next to bottom of the line) high definition shingles.

here are the choices. i live in a land of hurricanes and terrific thunderstorms.

50 years 110 mph winds
40 years 90 mph winds
30 years 80 mph winds (this one he recommends)
30 years 70 mph winds

if i put on the 50 year shingles does that mean i will not need a roof until I'm 93? somehow I am having a hard time believing this.

help! I don't know what I am doing!

edited to add: we have no intention of selling the house

 

[Lorelei]

I am such an idiot, I thought you meant shingles the disease!!!

 

[ladykemma]

 

[robbie3982]

I could be wrong about this, but doesn''t the name imply the length of the warranty? Hence 30 year shingles are guaranteed for 30 years and 50 year shingles for 50?

I really should know this. I worked at 84 Lumber and they test you on all of this stuff no matter what you do for them. I was in the marketing department, so once I passed, I forgot it all, but I''m almost positive that''s what the name of the shingles means.

 

[ladykemma]

yes that''s what it means. my concern is that the shingles will outlast the flashing

 

[Ellen]

Assuming your roof guy is indeed knowledgable and competent, I''d just go with what he recommends.

 

[ladykemma]

yeah, my fear is if we pay for the hurricane shingles, the hardware fans, ridge vents, etc, will not last that long or survive a storm, , so we will end up havng to pay for this stuff all over again anyway.

I long for the slate roof of the 150 year old house we rented in london.

more opinions please?

 

[WTNLVR]

Our house is 10 yrs old with 25 yr shingles. They are already failing and likely won''t last 25 years. Alot depends on how much sun the roof gets and other factors. Forget about ever trying to get money on a warranty claim. They always think of some reason why it''s not their fault. I would think that if you get frequent hurricanes, I would want a shingle with a high wind rating but that''s just me. Have you tried a search on the web on home sites like diy? or consumers magazine??

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/30/2006 10:56:57 AM
Author: WTNLVR
Our house is 10 yrs old with 25 yr shingles. They are already failing and likely won''t last 25 years. Alot depends on how much sun the roof gets and other factors. Forget about ever trying to get money on a warranty claim. They always think of some reason why it''s not their fault. I would think that if you get frequent hurricanes, I would want a shingle with a high wind rating but that''s just me. Have you tried a search on the web on home sites like diy? or consumers magazine??

our house is 13 years with pulte builder''s shingles (?) it is hot hot hot here 3/4 of the year. with tornadic thunderstorms and hurricanes. the shingles are failing and the roof has begun to leak.

yeah i did a search on DIY sites, consumer reports, etc.
basically what I found is one will be lucky to get 20 years from any shingle roof, high wind rating or not. interestingly, what make them a high wind shingle is thicker shingle, 6 nails on each shingle, (instead of 4), and a special glue , basically a majorly nailed/glued down roof.

so the question becomes: do i want a high wind shingle? and just know that in 20 years the roof willl have to be replaced again.

 

[ladykemma]

off the top of your head, does anyone know if USAA gives an insurance break for the wind proof shingles? I can''t call them until monday morning.

 

[ladykemma]

I chuckle to think that if I spring for the cadillac roof, that we have a hurricane, the roof blows off and is found down the road, but with intact shingles

 

[perry]

In general, the evidence is that the longer "expected life" shingle do in fact last longer. How much longer..... is another question.

In the State of Wisconsin I just read of a major shingle Mfr paying claims on most of their shingles from 10 years ago - that are now failing (all over the place).

I would tend towards heavier shingles just to get the added life.

In certain states where hurricanes frequent - insurance companies either give breaks to high wiind shingles - or flat out require them as a preconditon to insuring your roof from wind damage.

Personally, I''m a fan of slate, clay tile, or cemet shingles. They cost more and require a structure to support them - but 100+ years before minor reparis are needed is not uncommon, and they are fireproof and can be much cooler on the house than asphult or fiberglass shingles.

Perry

 

[ladykemma]

thanks everyone

i too would like slate shingles, but this roof cannot handle the load. crazy pulte hipped roofs.

i have decided to go with the heavier shingles. I spoke with the neighbors who have to approve the roof (homeowners association) . they themselves got the 50 year shingles too.

they intend to stay in the house, as do we.