No, that’s not a typo. As a Billerica roofing contractor, we can tell you there are absolutely roofs that last three full centuries. What’s the secret of the 300 year roof? That’s a two part answer. The first part is the selection of your roofing materials. The second part is the maintenance you have done.
In this region, there are three types of roofs that are commonly used on residential properties. The first is asphalt shingles. These are the most familiar type of roof and you’ve probably seen hundreds of them. Asphalt shingles come in black, brown, and a variety of colors. The expected useful life of an asphalt shingle roof ranges between twenty and forty years, depending on weather conditions.
The second type of roof you’re going to see in the Billerica area is the metal roof. Sometimes called tin roofing, these metal roofs are often not tin at all. Copper is the high end option, while galvanized steel is the more common, budget friendly option. Metal roofing is available in a variety of colors; if you choose copper, expect it to oxidize green. The expected useful life of metal roofing approaches and sometimes surpasses 100 years.
The three hundred year option is a roof made out of slate. Slate roofing tiles are literally stone. Slate is quarried from the earth and cut into roofing tiles. It will last centuries, because rock lasts a really long time. Slate roofs are fire proof and weather resistant. If you want a roof that will last a really long time you want a slate roof.
That being said, slate roofing needs regular maintenance to stay looking its best. This happens because individual tiles can chip or split along the edges. These small chips can lead to bigger problems down the road. That’s why it is important to have your Billerica roofing contractor inspect the tiles every so often. Any damaged tiles can be replaced. Areas of special concern are any corners and edges, as well as the points where the slate comes in contact with any flashing or metal roof materials.