How long should a roof last?
General lifespans of common roofing materials and what shortens them.
It depends on the material
Natural slate and clay tiles generally last much longer than concrete tiles, and modern flat roof systems such as GRP and EPDM typically outlast traditional felt. Actual life depends on installation quality and exposure.
What shortens a roof's life
Poor ventilation, blocked gutters, failed flashing left unrepaired, and exposure to strong wind and coastal weather.
Often it's the fixings that fail first
On older slate roofs the slates may be fine while the nails have corroded – which is why slates start slipping.