Roofing by Decade

Homes built in the 1950s are 70+ years old. If the roof has never been replaced, it is almost certainly past its useful life. Many 1950s roofs used asbestos-containing materials that require special handling during removal.

The 1970s marked a major transition in roofing — from organic to fiberglass shingles, and the beginning of the asbestos phaseout. Homes from this era are 50+ years old and almost all need roof replacement if not already done.

Homes built in the 1990s are 25-35 years old — right at the decision point for many roofing materials. Architectural shingles became the standard, but several 1990s-era shingle lines had well-documented defects that led to class-action lawsuits.

Homes built in the 2010s benefit from the best building codes and roofing materials in history. At 5-15 years old, most roofs are in the early-to-mid portion of their life. Focus now should be on maintenance, storm damage inspection, and ensuring proper ventilation.