Best Roof for Florida Homes

What type of roof is best for Florida? Let’s review the options below.

Florida is known to have or experience extreme weather conditions ranging from heat, high winds, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

Roof Types in Florida

Based on this reality, homeowners need durable roofs that withstand the elements. To help out, we’re focusing on some Florida roof types.

All this information is crucial to helping you determine what construction materials to include when building a home.

However, if you’re interested in replacing your roof, this information will still prove helpful as it provides detailed tips on what to go for and what roof types will suit specific needs.

Choosing the Right Roof for Florida Homes

When it comes to the choice of a roof, it’s necessary not entirely to focus on the cost angle.

You’ll need to consider how well it can withstand heavy storms while determining its lifespan. Also, going for cheaper roof types might save you some costs in the short term but have long-term consequences.

In other words, going for a cheaper roof means that such a roof would have to be replaced much sooner. Why do cheaper roofs require more frequent replacement?

They do because such roofs are made or designed from cheaper materials that may not be able to withstand the elements for long.

Other reasons for choosing the right roof for your Florida home include having a better resale value and enhancing your home’s aesthetic appeal.

Speaking of resale value, you want to go with more mainstream roof types as these tend to appeal to more people, thus enhancing your home’s resale value.

Can the roof withstand intense hurricanes? Hurricanes are common in Florida and are accompanied by tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flying debris.

Your roof must be durable enough to withstand these harsh climatic conditions.

Florida Roof Types By Material

Anytime you move around the city, you’re likely to notice different roof types consisting of varying materials.

The most popular types include clay tile roofs, concrete tile roofs, metal roofs, wood shake & shingle roofs, asphalt shingles, and slate tiles.

• Clay Tile Roofs

Clay tile roof types are pretty common in Florida.

These are well known for their durability and rot-resistant nature when exposed to constant moisture. The lifespan of these roofs is about a century, and requires minimal maintenance.

Another benefit of clay tile roofs is that they’re hardly damaged during house fires. Before considering clay tile roofs, you’ll need to ensure your home is structurally sound, as these tend to be heavier.

Clay tile roofs are also quite expensive compared to some Florida roof types.

• Concrete Tile Roofs

Like clay tile roofs, concrete roofs are a common feature in Florida.

These are also durable and a great roofing option. To prevent cracking, concrete tile roofs are reinforced with fibers. It’s made from a non-flammable material, which provides added protection for Florida homeowners.

So, how long do concrete tile roofs last? This roof type has half the lifespan of clay tile roofs. In other words, concrete tile roofs typically last 50 years before replacement.

Sometimes, homeowners with this roof type discover cracks and need more frequent repairs.

• Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are also standard in Florida homes.

There are several reasons why a lot of Florida homeowners choose these roofs. First, the top is known for its durability and ability to withstand the salty air of coastal areas.

Metal roofs will do well during adverse weather conditions as they can withstand high-speed winds of about 160 mph. On the downside, these roofs have a limited lifespan of 50 years.

Plus, they’re costly and tend to be noisy during heavy downpours.

• Wood Shake & Shingle Roofs

Another roof type common to Florida is the wood shake & shingle type roof. Property owners around coastal areas mostly prefer them.

This roof type adds a natural aesthetic to its properties while preventing corrosion from saltwater exposure.

There’s better air circulation with wood roofs, thus making them eco-friendly.

The cons of having wood shingle roofs are that they attract costly maintenance and need regular sealing to prevent wood rot and leaks.

Also, wood is a flammable material that can promote combustion during house fires.

• Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roofing is a common roofing type you’ll find in Florida. A clear benefit of such roofs includes affordability and attractiveness.

The drawback of having this type of roof is its limited lifespan or longevity. In the absence of storms, asphalt shingle roofs will last around 15 or more years.

They quickly degrade compared to roofs made with other materials. You’ll find these cracking or curling under severe weather conditions.

What more? Because these roofs are lightweight, they hardly hold up to intense weather conditions like hurricanes, storms, and strong winds.

• Slate Tile Roofs

Compared to other roof types mentioned above, slate tile roofs aren’t as standard in Florida. However, they’re still used due to several benefits derived.

You’ll find slate tile roofs handy if you want a mold-resistant top. Also, they tend to be easily customizable compared to some roof types.

Like other heavy roof types earlier, slate tile roofs belong to such a category and can add tremendous pressure to a home’s foundation.

That is why your structure and its foundation must be sturdy enough to bear the added weight.

Choosing the Best Roof for Your Florida Home

Having mentioned and briefly discussed the different roof types common in Florida, you’re left with the responsibility of making the right pick.

This may be tricky as you may need more information about the benefits of each.

To be safer, it’s best to consult a structural engineer or contractor for guidance on what decisions to make regarding a suitable roof type.

These professionals have a much better understanding of what roofs serve and what purpose.

So far, we’ve seen varieties of roofs in Florida, each made from different materials. We’ve briefly mentioned some characteristics possessed by each type.

Seek professional help and guidance to choose better.