When you’re getting a new roof, picking out high-quality shingles is a must. 50-year shingles seem like a great idea — who doesn’t want a shingle roof that will last 50 years, especially in Florida? But the truth of the matter is more complicated, and 50-year shingles often aren’t what homeowners expect.
We’re PITCH Roofing, and as your local roofing partner, we’re here to make roofing clear and easy for you. We don’t rely on flashy marketing or tricky naming conventions. When we sell you a roof, we want it to be because you see the value of making this investment in your property, not because we over-sold a product. Stick with us as we explain everything you need to know about 50-year asphalt shingles!
Why Are They Called 50-Year Shingles?
There is a common misconception that 50-year shingles will last for 50 years. That confusion is by design — shingle manufacturers know that everyone wants their shingle roofs to last longer, and the name certainly makes it sound like you can count on these shingles for five decades. But the truth is a bit more complicated.
50-year shingles get their name from their manufacturer’s warranty, not from their lifespan. This means that your warranty is good for 50 years, not necessarily your shingles. How long your shingles last will always depend on the type of asphalt shingle you choose. But for a dependable architectural shingle, you can expect about 20 to 25 years of protection, even if the warranty promises to last twice as long.
In short, the name 50-year shingles comes from a marketing ploy. Even if your warranty lasts 100 years, it won’t make your shingles stay in place a day longer. And as of yet, there is not an affordable asphalt shingle roof on the market that will last you 50 years.
Still, many homeowners are interested in the idea that their shingles will be under warranty for as long as they last on a home. While this sounds nice, it’s important to familiarize yourself with roofing warranty terms so you know the kind of protection you can expect.
How Warranties Work on 50-Year Shingles
As we’ve established, 50-year shingles get their name from how long their warranties last. But what kind of protection will you get from that warranty, really? There are two important areas to look at: how long your warranty really lasts, and what’s included in your protection.
Explaining Prorated Shingle Warranties
The manufacturer’s warranty for 50-year shingles will last the full 50 years. However, you likely won’t get the full protection for that time period. More often, long-term shingle warranties are prorated. This means they start off strong and then slowly get weaker over time.
For example, you might get covered for 100% of costs if your warranty is triggered within the first 5 years of your roof being installed. However, 15 years after installation, you could be looking at 50% coverage or less. So with 50-year shingles, your warranty lasts the full lifetime of the shingle, but your warranty can degrade over those 50 years. The coverage that you have on day one is likely not the coverage you’ll have after 10 years.
What Is a Manufacturer’s Warranty?
There are many types of roofing warranties, but manufacturer’s warranties are simple. In short, they cover any failing in your shingles due to a manufacturing issue. So if your roof was installed correctly but your shingles still failed in 70 mph winds when they’re rated for 100 mph winds, you may be able to use your coverage.
Your coverage, at least at the start of your policy, will cover both material and labor costs to replace defective shingles. If your shingles fail during the prorated period of your 50-year shingles, then you’ll likely only get some coverage. And if your roof fails due to an installation error, then you’ll need to turn to your workmanship policy, which likely will not last as long as your manufacturer’s warranty.
Are 50-Year Shingles a Good Idea in Florida
At this point, you have a good understanding of what 50-year shingles are and what you should and shouldn’t expect from them. But when all is said and done, are these shingles a good choice for your new roof? Like with anything in roofing, it depends.
50-year shingles can be the right choice if you’re picking them for the right reasons. Realistically, your asphalt shingle roof will not last much longer than 20 years unless you invest in luxury shingles, which last for about 40. Failing that, your best bet is to look at the specifications of any shingle product you’re considering. Things you should take into account include:
- What winds your shingle is rated for, especially if you live in a coastal community
- If your shingle contains time-released anti-algae and anti-moss deposits
- How long they can reasonably last in Florida’s climate
- The length and terms of your workmanship and manufacturing warranty, including prorated periods
- Color options, especially lighter colors to help reflect UV rays
Whether or not a shingle is a 50-year product, this information will guide you toward the right choice for your home. Additionally, 50-year shingles can help you when picking your contractors. If a roofer tells you that 50-year shingles will protect your home for 50 years, then you know that they’re not being honest with you and choose someone else. In this way, 50-year shingles can help you separate reliable roofers from the people just trying to make a sale.
Get a Free Shingle Roofing Estimate
Whether you choose 50-year shingles or not, our concern is with getting a quality shingle product on your roof. Sometimes 50-year shingle products are still good and worthwhile, and other times, they’re mostly marketing hype. Regardless of the situation, our roofers will work with you to de-mystify the roofing process and make sure you get a strong, durable roofing system that protects your property while adding value to your home.
Reach out for your free roofing estimate by calling us at 727-677-4824 or by filling out our contact form. We’ll get you scheduled for a roof inspection where we explain all your shingle options and equip you to make an informed decision. From there, we’ll provide you with an itemized estimate that includes the full scope of your roof replacement. No cut corners and no guessing games!
When you need reliable local roofers you can trust, PITCH Roofing is the clear choice. We’ll never try to up-sell you on flashy shingle products or deceptive marketing. Instead, we work to give you clear information to make the best choice for your property. Reach out today and see what our veteran roofing pros can do for you!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
