What is the typical lifespan of a roof?
The lifespan of a commercial food depends on a variety of factors. Here's an average breakdown.
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|
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TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) |
18 – 25 |
Heat-welded seams resist leaks; early-generation TPOs may age faster. |
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) |
20 – 30 |
Excellent chemical resistance; plasticizer loss can embrittle older sheets. |
EPDM (Rubber) |
22 – 35 |
UV-resistant; ballasted systems last longest but weigh more. |
Modified Bitumen (SBS/APP) |
18 – 30 |
Multi-ply redundancy; seams and granule loss are life-limiters. |
Built-Up Roof (BUR) |
25 – 35 |
Hot asphalt + felts; UV-protective gravel critical |
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) |
20 – 30 (per coating cycle) |
Re-coat every 10–15 yrs to extend life indefinitely |
Standing-Seam Metal |
30 – 50+ |
Factory paint warranties 20–40 yrs; fastener/back-out on screw-down panels shortens life. |
Green Roof System |
Membrane life similar to base system, but overall assembly 40–50+ |
Growth medium shields membrane from UV; weight and root management are key. |
Numbers assume professional installation, semi-annual maintenance, and roofs located in temperate to mixed-climate zones.