How long should asphalt shingles last?
What actually wears out
Asphalt is the waterproofing in the shingle, and the ceramic-coated granules on top are its sunscreen. Every summer day, ultraviolet light and heat drive off the lighter compounds in the asphalt, and every evening the roof cools and contracts. Thousands of those cycles make the asphalt stiffer. Once it is brittle, it cracks at the tabs, lets go of the granules that protect it, and stops resealing after a windstorm lifts it.
The stages you can see
- Early: surplus granules in the gutters, crisp shingle edges, strong seal between courses.
- Middle: uniform color fade, occasional lifted tab after a strong wind, minor algae streaks in shady areas.
- Late: bald patches showing black asphalt, edges curling up or cupping, cracks running through tabs, granules piling at downspouts.
- End: exposed fiberglass mat, missing pieces after ordinary storms, and leaks around the weakest spots.
Georgia specifics
Long, hot summers and humid nights make the heat cycle harder here than in milder climates, and the south and west slopes take the worst of it. Afternoon thunderstorms and spring hail add sudden damage on top of slow aging, so a roof can be cut short at any stage.
See how heat and humidity affect roof life and how long a roof lasts in Georgia.