What Type of Roof is Best for Florida Weather?

May 3, 2021

Choosing the right type of roofing material for your home or business is an important decision. It can save you a lot of money upfront as well as hassle down the road. While deciding what type of roof is best for Florida homes and commercial properties might not be the most exciting part of planning your new place, it’s a choice that you want to get right.

The Right Roof for Florida’s Weather

As a resident of the Sarasota area, you are probably well aware of the ups and downs of Florida’s weather. Many people move here for our sunshine and mild winters, but there are some drawbacks as well. Our crazy weather comes with intense heat, a good deal of rain, and of course, those hurricane-force winds. Your roof needs to be able to stand up to all of that to keep the structure and people below safe. That’s why choosing the type of roof that is best for Florida is so important.

Tile Roofing

You can opt for clay tile roofing or concrete tiles. They offer a classic look that can complement a wide range of styles. Their heavyweight can help protect your home or business from high winds and heavy rains. Lighter shades can also help reflect some of the intense suns. Clay tiles can increase the value of a home, which is another bonus.

There are some drawbacks to clay tiles, though. As you might imagine, they are heavy, which is not the right choice for some structures. They can also break down more easily than other materials. Acidic bird droppings, which we get here in Sarasota, can break down roof tiles. Also, plant material blown on a tile roof can embed itself in the tiles, sprout, and break them apart.

Metal Roofing

This is one type of roof best for Florida, and it’s growing in popularity. Metal roofing lasts a long time and is highly durable. There are a lot of variations in metal roofing, including more expensive varieties like copper and zinc. These materials offer most of the benefits of other materials like steel and aluminum but have much higher price tags.

The drawbacks to metal roofing include the price and installation considerations. Metal roofing is heavy, it can get really expensive, and if not installed properly, it can lead to problems like rotting underneath an improperly layered roof.

Slate Roofing

Slate is one of the most interesting materials for roofing. It is both durable and desirable, but it comes with significant drawbacks. The main issue is how unique it is. Slate is very expensive and can be hard to get. Since it is relatively rare as a roofing material, it can be hard not only to find the materials, it can also be difficult to find contractors experienced in installing it.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt roofing has been the standard for a long time, and for good reason. It’s very cost-effective, it stands up to harsh weather conditions, and it comes in a wide range of colors and styles. What type of roofing is best for Florida, and for the rest of the country as well, often comes down to asphalt when you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Drawbacks of asphalt shingles include their susceptibility to high winds. This is somewhat offset by the ease with which lost shingles can be replaced, but it’s still a concern. Another issue is that asphalt shingles typically have a shorter lifespan than more durable materials. That can be offset by innovative roof restoration, like Roof Maxx, which can add five years to an older asphalt roof in just a couple of hours.

Deciding what type of roof is best for Florida comes down to the type and strength of the structure underneath as well as your budget. Some materials like copper and zinc come with benefits but at a higher cost. For more information about roofing in Sarasota, contact your local Roof Maxx.