Guide to Roofing Materials: Making the Right Choice for You
Orlando’s known for having some of the most beautiful weather in the US, but at the same time that weather poses some unique risks to the roof of your house.
In this article, we’re going to cover the 3 different types of roofing materials that are excellent for balancing cost, versatility, and of course, the ability to handle the unique Florida climate.
Let’s get started.
What are the Primary Traits of a Good Roof in Florida?
To help you better understand which roofing solution is best for your project, let’s talk primary traits you should look for.
As we said, the weather we get in Florida is both one of our greatest assets and one of the biggest issues we face. It’s a double-edged sword of sorts.
Those bright, sunny days that we enjoy the vast majority of the year while others are bundled up for the winter come at a price. Certain roofing materials are degraded much faster than they should be due to UV exposure and extreme heat.
A good roof that’s designed to last many years in Florida has to be able to withstand that sunshine, or you can end up getting roof replacements much faster than the average homeowner.
Rain is also another major problem. Not only can it wear down certain materials faster, but we get large amounts of rain very often, and it can overwhelm gutters. That forces water up and into the roof line where it can cause water damage and mold.
This is more of an issue with gutters, but because we get so much rain, it’s going to be a concern even if you get the best gutters available. So, you still need to take it into consideration when choosing a roofing material.
Finally, the one the Sunshine State is known for. We have to deal with extremely high winds. Especially during hurricane season.
There isn’t much that can 100% guarantee you won’t have roofing issues when it comes to the winds we can experience annually, but some materials are far more likely to stay intact and handle impacts from flying debris.
There are other factors that you’ll have to consider, such as the price of a certain material and the style of home you have, but these three risks are what should influence your decision the most.
The Three Main Roofing Materials to Choose From
There are loads of roofing materials available on the market as a whole, but three of them stand out for Florida homeowners for different reasons, and we recommend choosing one of these three options.
1: Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles make up most of the roofs you’ll see while you’re out and about, and there’s a good chance that your current roof is made of asphalt shingles.
This isn’t just the most common roofing material in Florida. It’s the most common roofing material across the entire nation.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
Primarily, asphalt shingles are the most sought-after because of their price. They tend to cost a lot less than any other roofing material, and considering how much of an investment a new roof can be, it’s what most homeowners are willing to go for.
Asphalt shingles are also very flexible. Because of how they’re layered, they can fit practically any roof design, and they can work exceptionally well in most climates.
The drawbacks of asphalt shingles can be concerning in Florida, though. If hurricane winds come through, you’re bound to lose at least a few shingles and need repairs. They also get sun-damaged faster than the other materials we’ll be talking about.
Beyond being a bit less durable, they also have a shorter lifespan in general. The average asphalt shingle roof lasts about 20 years. That’s a national average. Given the unique weather challenges of living in Florida, you might get that, or you might need to have work done sooner.
2: Tile Roofing
Tile roofing is going to look like the best option for a roof in Orlando right off the bat. After all, it’s extremely popular in Florida for a reason. However, there are still considerations to make.
First, tile roofing performs the best against practically every issue we talked about. It’s resistant to sun damage, weather damage, impacts, aging, and more.
When you install a tile roof, outside of something extremely dramatic happening, you can expect it to last up to 100 years fairly easily.
On top of being extremely durable and resistant to most of the issues Florida residents face, it’s also rather luxurious. This is why you see it on a lot of top-dollar homes throughout the state. It has a regal appearance that is timeless.
So, in 100 years, it’ll still look great by the design standards of the time, and your curb appeal will be as high as ever, even without a replacement.
The drawback to a tile roof is its price. This is the most expensive of the three material options we’re listing, and it’s simply not accessible to everyone.
3: Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a combination of the benefits of both asphalt shingles and tile roofing. It’s extremely durable against all the weather issues you need to consider, the metal used minimizes rust problems, and it’s far more cost effective than tile.
However, it also produces quite a bit of noise every time it rains, and it is more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof in most cases.
One good thing about metal roofs is that they insulate your home well in the Florida heat. They reflect sunlight that would otherwise heat your home and drive up your cooling costs. So, any extra expense is eventually paid for in savings.
Get Help Choosing the Right Roofing Material in Orlando, Florida
When you go to choose from all these types of roofing materials, you should weigh your needs and budget against the information we’ve listed here.
You can also contact the pros at New Standard Roofing Orlando, and we will make sure you make the right decision and help you provide the best roofing service for all your outstanding roofing projects!