Why is there such a difference in the expected ages of a roof? Well, the obvious issues are the quality of the materials being used and installation, but the bigger issue has to do with Mother Nature. Simply put, she is plenty strong and must be respected.

Think about it. The average roof takes a beating. 365 days a year it just sits and bakes in the sun. It expands as it heats up during the day and then contracts as it cools off at night. It gets pummeled by rain, wind and flying objects. Heck, it is pretty amazing it lasts as long as it does.

If you really want the roof on your home to last, there is only one choice. Slate roofing can last 70, 80 or even 100 years. Like rock in nature, it can take a beating and keep performing. The only downside is it is expensive to purchase and put up.

On the other end of the range, we have the wood shingle roof. Depending on the type of shingle, you can expect it to last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. It is important to understand that these shingles basically come from left over wood pieces with all that implies.

Unlike slate roofs, there is another concern with wood shingle systems. Fire is the problem. Embers landing on wood shingle roofs almost always turn them into fire pits. You can buy far retardant treated wood shingles, but they are not much better.

A happy middle point between the cost of slate and the fire risk of wood roofs is the tile roof. It is highly fire resistant and will not cost you an arm and leg to install. Most tile roofs will also last up to 45 years, which is a nice lifespan.

What about new roofing developments? The solar shingle roof is a system that is getting a lot of interest. Instead of big, bulky solar panels, these solar cells are actually embedded in the shingles. They look like normal roofing shingles.

The solar shingle is pretty amazing. Initially, it turns your roof into an energy producer. In some states, you can feed that energy into the local utility system and actually make your meter run backwards, which eliminates your utility bill. Nice, eh?

As your home ages, your roof will start to fail. Instead of spending endless money on repairs, consider your options. From solar shingles to slate to tile roofs, there is a perfect solution for everyone.