States like Florida and Texas recieve brutal sun exposure for large portions of the year. This sun exposure degrades the shingle, as the ultra violet rays break down the volatile chemical compounds that bind the asphalt material. As the shingle loses the granules, the exposed asphalt mat deteriorates at a more heightened pace. The breaking down of the mat makes them become very brittle, and can fracture/break under wind or other loading that may have merely flexed it previously (when it had pliabilty). Having conducted inspections for over 20 years, I have seen roofs with little to no remaining granules. This left nearly the entire shingle mat susceptible to hightened deterioration. About me: I am the Owner/Trainer at Red Flag Home Inspection based in Tampa, Florida. I have been a Forensic Engineer (engineer determining cause and origin of failure) for Buildings and /or Building components for over 20 years, mostly in a residential setting. https://www.redflaghomeinspection.com/
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Answered 3 years ago
When it comes to roofing, the top aspect of the material to consider is the lifespan of the roofing material. Asphalt shingles were the preferred roofing materials because they were the cheapest and easiest to install. Asphalt shingles are made from fiberglass basemat with mineral granules and also limestone. This type of shingle is a perfect option for homes in temperate climate areas. They are not suitable for windy areas; asphalt shingles can only withstand wind uplifts of between 60 MPH to 70 MPH. They are durable despite their shortcomings, with a lifespan of between 16 years and 25years.