Looking for a new roof? Here in Florida, you have plenty of options.
Few things define a good Florida home as much as a secure, modern-looking roof. You might say that the sunroom is even more iconic, but you can’t really enjoy your sunroom unless you have a quality roof that can stand up to anything Mother Nature throws at it. A leaky sunroom just won’t do!
Here in Florida, a new roof doesn’t just look great. It’s also an investment in your safety and your home’s long-term value. And some roofs have performance qualities that make them really stand out, like how residential metal roofing can help you reduce your energy usage even in summer.
Yes, it’s true!
No matter what style of roof you want, one of the most important parts of getting a new roof is to choose a roofer you can trust. Florida roofers are held to high standards, as the Sunshine State has some of the most stringent building codes anywhere in the nation.
That makes your home safer and helps preserve its value over time.
The roofing industry has learned a lot since Hurricane Andrew back in 1992. And, over time, successive Atlantic storm seasons have motivated everyone to up their game further. An experienced roofer can provide you with a roof that will last 20 years, 30 years or more with regular maintenance.
By comparison, there are many areas where the average roof lasts less than 20 years.
Luckily, Central Florida residents have a lot of advantages that coastal homeowners don’t. Roofs aren’t typically subject to direct hits from major weather fronts and don’t need to worry about storm surges. By ensuring your roof uses the right materials to resist wind and rain, you can extend its life.
Invest in a quality roof and you can sleep easy knowing it has you covered – literally.
Because the right roof is so crucial in Florida, it’s no surprise that Florida homes are at the forefront of all the latest roofing trends. When you pick a roof, you will have plenty of styles to choose from. Each has its own look, colors, architectural considerations, and budget ranges.
There truly is no “one size fits all” here in Florida. It’s all up to you!
Choosing A New Roof In Florida: Some Considerations To Keep In Mind
The biggest concern most Floridians have when they buy a new roof is quality.
Again, a reliable roof comes from a trustworthy roofer. Roofers who have been in the business for many years have existing supplier agreements with the top roofing product manufacturers. They can source a higher quality product at a much lower price, then pass that savings on to you.
Secondly, Central Florida homeowners often ask whether they should choose a roof that allows them to blend in or pick one that stands out. If you are planning to sell within the next 2-3 years, then a roof that closely matches the predominant style in your community may be the best bet for you.
Of course, you may then miss out on some phenomenal Florida roofing trends!
There are three main things to consider when you’re looking at your options:
1. Maintenance Considerations And Overall Cost For Your Roof
Conscientious roof maintenance practices are essential to ensuring you can keep your roof going strong for many years to come. Each roofing material comes with its own maintenance expectations. Knowing these upfront will help you to estimate the total cost of owning your roof over time.
Shingle roofs are the most common in Florida, so their maintenance needs are well known. You should get your shingle roof inspected every year before hurricane season. This gives you time to have the roof worked on if any repairs are needed. Any cracked, dented, or missing shingles should be replaced.
Beyond this, all other roofs have their own requirements.
For instance, residential metal roofing is one of the most durable materials you can use for your roof. Unless you notice damage or have other specific concerns, it is typically okay to get a Florida metal roof inspected once every other year – you can skip years, thus saving about 50% of those costs.
Heavier roofing materials can also have their own quirks. Before you use a heavier roofing material, such as tile, your roofer should thoroughly examine your existing roof and be sure that your structure can bear the extra weight. That said, heavier materials are safeguarded against wind uplift!
2. Your Long-Term Plan For The Home
Your next roof will depend in part on what you plan to do with your home.
Getting a new roof can be easy with the right roofer, but it’s still a significant investment. Often, the goal is to keep the existing roof working for as long as possible without ending up paying exorbitant amounts to repair it. If you replace your roof too early, you may miss out on years of trouble-free service.
Replacing your roof can be a prudent idea if you are planning to pass down your home within the family, as it gives peace of mind for the next generation. You can also add to the performance qualities of the roof by choosing metal for a superior eco-friendly experience.
If you are planning to sell, a new roof is a judgment call. It is usually warranted in cases where you can expect the home inspection to turn up roof problems – no one wants to buy an aging roof they need to replace soon. But you might not decide to go with all the bells and whistles if you replace for this reason.
3. Your Sense Of Style
Don’t overlook style when you’re deciding on a new roof!
Your roof is a huge part of what makes that vital first impression when a new visitor lays eyes on your home. Even if you don’t look up and examine the roof, its color and style contribute to the overall feel of a home. If you have a distinctive architectural style, matching the roof to it is the way to go.
On the other hand, don’t assume you have to pay top dollar to get the style you want, or that you are stuck with a shingle roof to get the widest variety of options. Every type of roof you can name is now available in a full spectrum of styles, colors, and even textures. There’s something to match your vision!
The Three Types Of Roofing Materials Floridians Request Most For 2022
Even though we’re only just going into the holiday season, homeowners are thinking ahead to their new roof for 2022. Santa Claus can’t bring it to you – where would he land his sleigh? – but it’s still a wonderful idea to lock in your major roof work, even if it isn’t scheduled until later.
Winter tends to be the slow season for your friendly Central Florida roofer, so you have plenty of leeway to choose days that fit you best. And although a good roofing team can operate in virtually any temperature, roofing does tend to go faster during Florida’s winter months.
That’s because it can be 30 degrees or more hotter up on the roof than it is at ground level!
Another reason to pencil in roof work today is because special roofing colors or styles might take longer to procure than others. Enough people are taking advantage of the chance to schedule early that we’ve noticed some trends. Here’s what you can expect for the most popular Florida roofing materials in 2022:
Florida Tile Roof
A Florida tile roof provides an iconic appearance deeply reminiscent of the Mission style inspired by the state’s Spanish period. Clay tile roofs are the most common, leading to a look that’s truly stunning. On the other hand, concrete tile roofs offer a heavier and more durable alternative.
Concrete tile roofs in Central Florida are generally less expensive to install per square foot. Concrete is a terrific way to simulate the look of other roofing styles, as the tiles can be flat or have a varying degree of curvature. Plus, you can expect your concrete tile roof to last for as long as 50 years.
Clay tiles are about 40% lighter than concrete ones. That helps ensure they are easy to install and maintain. Ceramic-finished clay tiles are non-porous, which not only helps them maintain their color for decades, but also reduces the ability of rain to penetrate the surface.
It might come as a surprise, but clay tile roofs tend to be more durable than concrete over time. Their incredible longevity enables them to last as long as 100 years. That’s even better than residential metal roofs in Florida, which can last 60 years or more with appropriate maintenance.
No matter whether you choose clay or concrete, your tile roof can be trusted to last the lifetime of your structure. They are highly resistant to fire and perform well in storm-force winds. Although it’s unlikely to be an issue here in Florida, they’re also known to repel hail and resist cracking from freeze and thaw.
All in all, a tile roof is a fine selection. Before you decide, it’s wise to compare them side by side. Your local Central Florida roofer can help you look at roof tile samples representative of what you can expect.
Florida Metal Roof
Residential metal roofing is having a heyday here in Florida. Metal roofs are no longer just for barns, grain silos, and other agricultural buildings. Florida homes now sport a wide range of stylish metal roofs, offering outstanding performance qualities matched by no other Florida roofing material.
For most homeowners, the big draw for residential metal roofing is its potential for significant energy savings. The energy reduction is driven by the roof’s high reflectivity. By reflecting about 50% of all solar radiation that strikes the roof, it keeps you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
A residential metal roof is also better when it comes to the ups and downs of weather in Florida.
Metal roofing can be designed and installed in such a way that rain runs right off of it. The fasteners, which are the structural weak point in any roofing system, can also be reinforced more effectively than with a shingle roof, another aspect that protects you from major maintenance concerns down the line.
As mentioned earlier, a metal roof is one of the best options when you want something that will last and last. Even if the roof sustains an impact, the damage is frequently superficial and doesn’t require repair. If repair becomes necessary, the affected panel can be swapped out, leaving the others intact.
All these factors and more combine to mean that a metal roof is easy to maintain. The overall cost of ownership will tend to be low. Metal roofs bounce back from hurricane season better than others, too.
Florida Asphalt Shingle Roof
An asphalt shingle roof is a tried and true selection. Asphalt is the most common, durable, and stylish of the various shingle options available in Florida. It also works best in the climate of the Sunshine State, where the wooden shingles that might be acceptable in some other places simply won’t do.
The asphalt shingle roof is Central Florida’s most popular roofing option, and that comes as no surprise when you consider the advantages it offers. Your asphalt shingle roof is inexpensive, durable, versatile, and it will last anywhere from 20 to 30 years depending on your maintenance practices.
An asphalt shingle roof can easily be customized to suit your tastes. In fact, asphalt roofing is available in the widest variety of colors and styles. The highest quality asphalt shingles can also simulate the look of some other roofing materials, depending on your needs.
In comparison to other roofs, asphalt shingle roofs offer no unusual expectations or surprises. It’s easy to repair them, as damaged shingles can simply be removed and replaced. To keep your asphalt roof in prime condition, connect with a Central Florida roofer who can inspect it once a year.
Since asphalt shingle roofs outnumber others in Florida, they’re the most common pick when you’re in the midst of renovations to sell a home. Your roofer can help you match the color and style of the rest of your neighborhood so attention is drawn to your home’s other features rather than its roof.
Your Roof Is Only As Good As Its Installation, So Call A Roofing Team You Can Trust
No matter which roofing material you choose, the right installation is the key to success.
The more unusual the type of roof, the more you need to be sure you are dealing with an experienced roofer. For example, a metal roof will stand up to almost anything, but if the panels are not measured correctly and put down tight, it will start leaking the first time rain rolls through.
There are plenty of people out there willing to offer you a new roof, but they may or may not have the skills to deliver. Be sure your roofer has a documented process for removing your existing roof, installing your new one, and keeping your property safe – including post-project clean up – along the way.
At Sheegog Contracting, we have helped Floridians update and maintain their homes with the best roofing materials and technologies available. We work closely with the top roofing manufacturers, so our team has thousands of hours of inside expertise installing all of today’s best roofs.
And we can also help you ensure your roof stays safe and sound in the future.
For convenient new roof installation, Florida roof repairs, and roof inspections, Sheegog Contracting is your one-stop source for the entire lifetime of your roof. We pride ourselves on the best customer care and the highest roofing project management standards in the industry.
Our proven roofing project process has the built-in accountability you want from a roofer you’ll really trust. Before, during, and after, we are always there to answer your questions.
Contact Sheegog Contracting find out more or get started with your new roof in Central Florida.
