How Long Does a Roof Last in Western Wisconsin?
A roof in western Wisconsin typically lasts about 20 years with 3-tab asphalt shingles, about 30 years with architectural shingles and 40 to 80 years with metal. How long yours lasts in Hudson depends on how well the attic is ventilated, whether ice dams form at the eaves and how much hail it takes.
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How Long Does a Roof Last in Western Wisconsin?
A roof in western Wisconsin lasts anywhere from about 20 years for 3-tab shingles to 60 years or more for slate, and asphalt shingle roofs fall in the 20- to 30-year range. Those figures are published estimates for typical homes, not promises, because a roof's real life depends on local weather, how the house was built, the quality of the materials and how well the roof is maintained.
Hudson winters are hard on that estimate. The area gets roughly 45 to 50 inches of snow a year, and winter freeze and melt builds ice dams at the eaves, so a shingle roof here earns its years differently from one in a milder climate.
Asphalt shingles
20 to 30 years
The typical life of asphalt shingles, with architectural shingles at the longer end.
How Long Each Type of Roof Lasts
Each type of roof lasts a different length of time, from as little as 7 years for some TPO flat roofs to more than 100 years for clay or concrete tile. The figures are typical published life estimates for US homes, which is why we always look at the roof itself before saying how much life it has left.
| Roof type | Typical life |
|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | About 20 years |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | About 30 years |
| Metal | 40 to 80 years |
| Cedar shake | About 25 to 30 years |
| Slate | 60 to 150 years |
| Clay or concrete tile | 100 years or more |
| EPDM rubber (flat) | 15 to 25 years |
| TPO (flat) | 7 to 20 years |
| Modified bitumen (flat) | About 20 years |
| Built-up (flat) | About 30 years |
What Shortens a Roof's Life in Hudson
Ice dams, poor attic ventilation and hail are what shorten a roof's life in Hudson. Each one works on the roof from a different side: meltwater from below the snow, heat and moisture from the attic, and impact from above.
Ice Dams at the Eaves
Meltwater refreezes at the cold eaves, backs up under the shingles and finds its way through cracks into the attic, soaking insulation, walls and ceilings. Ice dam prevention starts with an airtight ceiling.
Poor Attic Ventilation
A poorly vented attic can cause shingles to buckle as the deck moves, help ice dams form and let condensation rot the decking and framing. Roof ventilation problems often show up first as early wear.
Hail
Wisconsin averages 20 to 30 days a year with hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, mostly between May and July. Hail damage roof repair can stop one storm from becoming a leak.
Should a 20-Year-Old Roof in Hudson Be Replaced?
A 20-year-old roof in Hudson should be replaced if it is 3-tab asphalt, which has reached its typical life, but an architectural shingle or metal roof that age often has years left. The type of roof matters more than the number, and the only way to know is to have it looked at.
Insurance is the other reason to act. A worn-out roof with no storm damage is yours to pay for, and Wisconsin insurers may refuse to renew a policy because of a home's condition, which can include a worn-out roof. Some give the owner six months to a year to fix it.
Likely Still Has Years Left
- Architectural shingles well short of 30 years
- A metal roof
- No leaks or water stains in the attic
- Shingles lying flat with no buckling
- Storm damage limited to one area that can be repaired
Time to Plan a Replacement
- 3-tab shingles at 20 years or more
- Leaks from ice dams that come back every winter
- Buckled shingles over a moving deck
- Water-soaked or rotting decking
- Your insurer has raised the roof's condition
Not sure if your 20-year-old roof needs replacing?
We can inspect it and tell you plainly whether it has years left or is due.
Does a 30-Year Roof Really Last 30 Years in Wisconsin?
A 30-year roof can last 30 years in Wisconsin, since about 30 years is the typical life estimate for architectural shingles, but only where it is installed well, ventilated properly and kept free of ice dams. A roof over a poorly vented attic, with ice dams at the eaves every winter, can wear out well before that.
Installation is part of the answer too. Wisconsin requires shingles to go on to the manufacturer's instructions, with ice dam protection at the eaves of low-slope roofs over heated space.
Architectural shingles
About 30 years
Reached with sound installation, good attic venting and no repeated ice dams.
How We Judge How Much Life Your Hudson Roof Has Left
We judge how much life your Hudson roof has left by looking at the roof and the attic together: the type and age of the shingles, how they are lying, the flashing, the decking where we can see it, and the insulation and venting underneath. Garrett Olson, the owner of Hudson Roofing Pros, personally oversees every project, and we tell you plainly whether the roof needs a repair, more time or a roof replacement.
If the roof is due, pick the season first, because shingles seal down best in warm weather. Our guide on when to replace a roof in Wisconsin explains the timing. Then choose who does the work, since a poor install shortens a new roof's life. Our guide on how to hire a roofer in Wisconsin shows what to check.
Want to know how many years your Hudson roof has left?
Send the form or call, and we will look at the roof and the attic.
Roof Lifespan FAQs
Should a 20 Year Old Roof Be Replaced?
A 20-year-old roof should be replaced if it is 3-tab asphalt, which has reached its typical life of about 20 years, but architectural shingles and metal roofs often have years left at that age. Have the roof inspected before deciding.
Does a 30 Year Roof Really Last 30 Years?
A 30-year roof can last 30 years, since that is the typical life of architectural shingles, but poor attic ventilation, repeated ice dams and hail can wear it out sooner in western Wisconsin.
How Long Does a Metal Roof Last in Wisconsin?
A metal roof typically lasts 40 to 80 years, longer than any asphalt shingle roof. Our metal roofing work covers the options.
Will Insurance Replace an Old Roof?
Insurance will not replace an old roof that is simply worn out; it pays for the part of a roof damaged by a covered loss such as wind or hail, minus your deductible.
How Long Does a Flat Roof Last?
A flat roof lasts about 15 to 25 years with EPDM rubber, 7 to 20 years with TPO and about 20 years with modified bitumen, so the membrane decides much of the answer.
Get a roof inspection
Send the form or call Hudson Roofing Pros, and we will look at your roof and tell you whether it needs a repair or a replacement.
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