How to Install a 50-Year Roof

Install laminated asphalt shingles for a basic 50-year roof. Use architectural style shingles, which are individual pieces nailed with shingle nails and a hammer in an overlapping pattern so there are no open seams. Fasten these in staggered overlapping patterns to give the appearance of slate tile roofing. Use galvanized nails, generally 3 or 4 nails at the top of each shingle.

Pick a metal for a 50-year roof option; copper, steel or aluminum can each carry that "lifetime" warranty. Install individual copper tiles for the longest-lasting material. Fasten tiles with copper nails and built-in tabs and slots to hold edges together. Cover a roof with either steel or aluminum standing seam panels, fastened to sheathing with concealed clips; secure panel edges by sliding a tab of one panel into a slot on an adjoining panel. Install individual metal tiles as an alternative, fastened with steel or aluminum nails.

Cover a 50-year roof with clay or concrete tile, which are similar in material and shape. Put these on a roof with strong support to hold the weight. Lay half-round tiles in an alternating pattern, one layer with the open side up, the next layer overlapping the seams of two tiles below. Use larger clay or concrete tiles with an undulating type pattern. Fasten both types with special screws or nails through the tiles into sheathing; some tiles have fastening holes, other styles use clips overlapping tile edges.

Build a 50-year roof with slate or similar stone tiles installed much like asphalt or individual metal tiles. Fasten tiles with galvanized nails, in an overlapping pattern, using pre-drilled holes in the tile tops. Be sure the holes are countersunk, so the nail heads will go slightly below the surface of the slate and not rub against the underneath of an overlapping tile.