How Long Does Each Roof Type Last in the Nevada Desert?
Roof lifespan claims are often optimistic. Here are realistic numbers for the Las Vegas climate, where UV and thermal cycling are the limiting factors.
Tile: 50–100 years (with a catch)
The tile itself lasts generations. But the underlayment beneath it lasts only about 20 years for felt, or 25–35+ for modern synthetics. Plan on at least one underlayment relay during a tile roof's life.
Metal: 40–70 years
The longest-lasting common roof, with minimal maintenance and excellent heat and wind resistance.
Asphalt shingle: 20–30 years
Quality architectural shingles last two to three decades here; cheap three-tab shingles fail much faster in the UV.
Flat membrane (TPO/PVC): 20–30+ years
Reflective single-ply membranes like TPO and PVC last decades with basic maintenance — the flat-roof systems we install. (Spray foam roofs exist too and last a similar range with periodic recoating, but foam isn't a system we install.)