Asphalt shingles last 20 to 30 years under normal conditions. 3-tab sits toward the lower end of that range. Architectural shingles push toward the upper end. Metal roofs run 40 to 70 years. Cedar shake lands around 25 to 35.
Ontario’s climate is hard on roofs. Freeze-thaw cycles through Windsor winters, plus summer heat causing repeated expansion and contraction, accelerate granule loss and shingle brittleness faster than you’d see in milder regions. A roof installed in the 1990s or early 2000s should be assessed every year by a licensed roofer. Doesn’t matter how it looks on the surface. Decking and flashing deterioration often shows up underneath long before it’s visible from the curb.
Lifespan determines your replacement timeline. The best time of year to replace a roof is late spring or early fall, and planning ahead of failure gives you scheduling flexibility and better pricing. When it does need replacing, the most expensive part of the project is the material. Worth understanding before you start collecting quotes. For total project cost see how much it costs to replace a 2,000 sq ft roof in Ontario.