Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last them about 30 yrs, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years. Climate and weather conditions such as snow, hail, and hurricanes, can cut the lifespan of all types of roofs.
Asphalt Shingles, 3-tab - 15 to 18 years
Asphalt Shingles, Architectural - 24 to 30 years
Galvalume (metal) - 30 to 45 years
Concrete Tile - 35 to 45 years
Built-Up or Modified Bitumen - 10 to 16 years
EPDM (rubber) - 10 to 16 years
When selling a new roof in south Florida many times the contractor will harp about the life span of their particular roofing system, which could range 25 yrs, 30 yrs, 40 yrs 50 yrs for pitched decks and 10 yrs, 20 yrs, 30 yrs for flat decks. Many times they fail to mention to the homeowner about extreme weather conditions in south Florida and how it could play a major factor on the life of any roofing system by reducing its life span.