If you’re a homeowner in Kingston, Ontario, maintaining the integrity of your home’s roof is essential. One key aspect of roof maintenance is determining the age of your shingles. Knowing when your shingles were installed can help you plan for necessary repairs or replacements. 

Typically, roofs have a 15-year life span. However, if you did not own the home when the shingles were installed, determining their age may be difficult.

Difficult but not impossible. 

This blog will explore several methods to help you determine the age of the shingles on your home

Methods for Assessing the Age of Roof Shingles

Determining the age of your shingles is an important task. It not only gives you a timeline for planning and budgeting your roof replacement, but it can also help you protect your home. 

The age of your roof can be a significant factor in your insurance rates, the resale value of your home, and its energy efficiency. And, of course, older and/or damaged roofing materials, and improper roof maintenance, can compromise the integrity of your structure, leading to potential water and wind damage. 

Here are a few ways to tell the age of asphalt shingles: 

Installation Records

Keeping a paper trail is one of the simplest ways to determine your shingles’ age. However, it is not always possible to know the complete history of your roof and its structure. If you have just purchased the home, or have owned it for some time and have not yet replaced the shingles, these records may be hard to track down. 

The easiest way to find out when your roof was last re-shingled is to review any documentation related to your home’s maintenance or renovation history. 

Look for receipts, invoices, or records from roofing contractors in your area. If you have these documents, they should provide you with a clear timeline of when the shingles were installed or replaced.

Building Permit

If your home was re-roofed or had significant roofing work done, building permits might be on record with the City of Kingston.   

You can contact the municipality to request information about any permits related to your property.

This is an option in other municipalities as well. A simple phone call and records search could answer the question. 

While this is an easy option, it is possible that there are no permits on record for your property. But do not give up, one of the other assessment options may provide the answers you seek. 

Ask the Previous Owners

If you know the previous homeowners or have contact information for them, this may be your best bet.

Even if they do not have the documentation, or cannot recall the exact age, they may be able to give you an estimate that will help you determine when you need to take action. 

Ask Neighbours

If you live in a housing development where homes were built around the same time, you can also inquire with your neighbours. 

Homes that are around the same age are likely to have the same age roofing shingles. If they have recently replaced their roof, it may be time to replace yours. 

And depending on the nature of the neighbourhood, it is possible that you’ll find a neighbour that has their finger on the pulse. They may be able to give you an estimation of when work was last performed on your property. 

It is also possible that a neighbour may have contact information for the previous owners, allowing you to reach out to them if needed. 

Examine Shingles

While different types of shingles have varying life expectancies, inspecting the shingles themselves can also provide clues about their age:

• Colour Fading: Over time, shingle colours may fade due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays. If your shingles have significantly faded, it’s a sign they’ve been on your roof for a while.
• Curling and Warping: Shingles tend to curl and warp with age. The shingles are likely older if you notice considerable curling or warping.
• Granule Loss: As shingles age, they may lose granules. If you find a lot of granules in your gutters or downspouts, it could be a sign that your shingles are deteriorating

Professional Roof Inspection

Roofing experts, like Energy Kingston Exteriors, can help you determine the age and condition of your shingles. 

Roofing companies have the knowledge and experience to assess your roof’s state accurately. 

Not only can we supply an accurate estimate of age, but we can also give you an idea of the urgency for a replacement. We’ll look at several factors to determine the roof’s condition and whether or not you need to replace the shingles now or if you can wait a little bit. 

Key Takeaways

Understanding how to tell the age of asphalt shingles is crucial in maintaining your roof’s integrity and planning for future repairs or replacements. 

By using the methods laid out above, you can either pinpoint the age of your shingles or, at the very least, determine an accurate estimate of age. 

But if you have any doubts or concerns about the age and condition of your roof, it is best to not wait. 

At Energy Kingston Exteriors, we offer expert roofing services to address the specific needs of your home. 

By being well-informed and proactive about the condition of your roof, you can ensure long-term protection and your home’s value for years to come. 

Contact us today to learn more.