As humans age, they reset the bar on what it is to be young. We hear phrases like: “40 is the new 30,” or “60 is the new 50.” These phrases suggest that despite advancing age, post-40 humans remain as alive and vibrant as ever. While humans may be living their best lives post-40, the same cannot be said for the roofs that shield them from the elements.

It seems like the life expectancy of a roof is moving in the opposite direction, and that 30-year roof is no longer expected to last for 30 years like the box of shingles says it would. What is the reason behind this backward trend in roof life expectancy? It’s not poor diet and a lack of exercise. Insurance companies believe that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events is acting as the primary driver. Instances of extreme heat, rain and wind have been on the rise and that obviously puts more stress on a roof. But the issue is not just one of intensity but of frequency, as well. The more extreme weather events that a roof experiences, the less able it is to handle future events.

What can homeowners do? Plan ahead. Purchasing a new roof is one of the biggest financial decisions homeowners make. Anticipating when a new roof will be needed, as well as how much money will be needed for the replacement, is critical. Before investing your own money though, homeowners should investigate whether they might qualify for state grants. For example, New York state awarded almost $21 million in home improvement grants to citizens around the state in 2022.

Financial foresight and the ability to predict the kind of future weather events a roof will need to withstand are important considerations. Often, roofs are built to municipal or state building codes. However, many municipalities in New York state have building codes that are decades old. Those codes are based on outdated weather modeling, and they may leave a homeowner exposed to extreme weather. Even codes that were updated recently may not account for the intensity and severity of weather events that are being predicted. As such, homeowners would be wise to choose building materials that exceed current building codes. Roofs made of metal or outfitted with synthetic shingles may not be required by state code, but they are much better at handling extreme heat, wind and rain compared to more typical building materials.

Have questions about how your roof can impact your homeowners insurance? Or whether you should consider replacement cost versus actual-cash value when insuring your house. Reach out to our agency.