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Most homeowners are surprised to learn that major elements of their home are not designed to last as long as the rest of the home. One example is the roof over your head. Some roofs will last 80 years while some will only hold out for 15.

When considering the number of years different roofs might last, it is vital to keep in mind that while materials and other issues certainly play a role, the biggest issue is the impact of the power of nature.

A roofing system is incredibly durable. It can take the heat of the sun every day. It can take being drenched in water. It can freeze up for days on end under snow and ice in the winter. All this and it will still last for years and years. Amazing!

Given the beating a roof takes, it is not surprising that the type of roofing material used makes a huge difference. A slate rock roof is like putting tank armor on your home. It is going to last for at least 70 years, but it is going to cost you an arm and leg to buy and install.

If you have a small budget, the cheapest roof system available is the infamous wood shake shingle roof. Well, it is cheap to buy and install, but will cost you in the long run. Why? It will only last between 10 and 25 years.

Unlike slate roofs, there is another concern with wood shingle systems. Fire is the problem. Embers landing on wood shingle roofs almost always turn them into fire pits. You can buy far retardant treated wood shingles, but they are not much better.

A happy middle point between the cost of slate and the fire risk of wood roofs is the tile roof. It is highly fire resistant and will not cost you an arm and leg to install. Most tile roofs will also last up to 45 years, which is a nice lifespan.

The cost of energy for a home is going up, but a new roofing system may bring relief. The solar shingle system produces electricity for your home without the big obnoxious solar panels. How? The entire shingle is the solar cell, but looks like a normal shingle.

The concept of the solar shingle is revolutionary. It turns your entire roof into an electricity generator. You can heat and cool your home using the power. You can run appliances, leave lights on and so on. All for just the cost of the initial system.

Sooner or later, you are going to have to improve or replace the roof on your home. Instead of just automatically putting up the same type of roof, take some time to explore your options. You have plenty of choices.