Are 50-Year Shingles Worth the Money?

It’s one of the most common questions people ask when it’s time to replace their roof: Are 50-year shingles worth the money? And like most questions, our answer is simple. It depends.

Are you planning on staying in your home for 50 years? Or hold onto it as a long-term investment property, at least longer than 25 or 30 years? Then by all means, it’s a good investment. Not only will you save yourself the hassle of scheduling multiple meetings with estimators and installers, you’ll have a greater basis for roofing costs, it’ll be an expense you won’t have to worry about later in life.

If you’re not planning on holding the property for decades, the calculus is a little trickier. In most cases, 50-year shingles won’t improve on resale value of a home over 25- or 30-year shingles. That said, because a large portion of the cost of your roof is labor-related (getting crews to the job site, removing old shingles and installing new ones, hauling old shingles to the dump), the overall cost to your project should you choose premium shingles may be relatively minimal.

Further confusing the issue is the always-subjective matter of esthetics. Simply put, sometimes you may have your heart set on an asphalt shingle that’s only available in a premium, 50-year line. Does sacrificing the appearance of your home justify cutting an expense in your next roofing project? That’s going to depend on who you ask, and how close of an alternative is available.

If 30- or 50-year shingles were the best choice for every home, there would only be one kind. Determining your needs and your budget is the first way to help you find an answer to the “are 50-year shingles worth the money” conundrum so many homeowners find themselves. Need more info? Our estimators are always ready to help you find your best roof.