The best roofing materials may differ from home to home, depending on where you live, what kind of home you have or many other factors. When a project isn’t your area of expertise, how can you be sure you get the best fit for your needs?

At Florida Quality Roofing, we want to ensure that you are informed about all of the options so that you can determine what makes the most sense for your home.

Before we start any project, our family-owned business acts as consultants, educating our customers on the types of roofing materials so they can make an informed decision on this important investment.

 

So what are my options?

Every roof has two elements to consider when choosing the best roofing materials. 

Your covering is what is on the outside. The purpose of the roof covering is to shed water and to look good. Roof covering comes in three types of roofing materials: tiles, metal or shingles. 

An underlayment is whatever is underneath your covering. The underlayment is the most important part of the roof. The covering does not waterproof your home. The underlayment does.

Ultimately, choosing the best roofing materials depends on your circumstances and what you want from your product.

 

Tile

When it comes to coverings, let’s first talk about tile, since it’s such a popular type of roofing material in South Florida.

In fact, Homeowner Associations often require tile to maintain an uniform Mediterranean or Spanish style neighborhood. The entire city of Coral Gables mandates tiles, for example. 

However, there are other reasons to choose tile, even if your community isn’t demanding it. 

Pros

Tiles allow a lot of options for color, aesthetics and curb appeal.  Tiles come in a variety of profiles such as flat or barrel profiles. Some tiles even imitate wood.

Tiles also vary in material. Some tiles are made with concrete. Imported clay tiles are often made out of baked clay. Baking the clay produces a material that is less porous, so it is better able to withstand mildew and algae versus a concrete tile. 

By contrast, concrete tiles absorb about 13% moisture due to the nature of the materials.

Cons

Unfortunately, tiles can break. They do not withstand hurricane-force winds as well as metal roofs can, though their resistance is better than shingle roofs. 

Tile roofs typically stand up to 130 mile per hour winds before they start to take major damage. It’s important to note even if the winds aren’t that high, a falling branch could crack or shatter the tiles, requiring them to be replaced.

A good tile roof could last you 50 years. However, in Florida, your insurance company may require you to change it far sooner than that. You might not want to invest in a higher quality roof if you have to replace it before the length of its lifetime.

Tiles also require more maintenance than a material such as shingles because tiles are porous. They absorb moisture over time, so they need to be pressure washed every three or four years to remove any algae or mildew buildup.

 

Metal

As their name suggests, these roofs are made out of coil metal sheets. They can be made from different types of metals, or alloys, including galvalume, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. The aesthetic is completely different.

Pros

Metal roofs withstand higher winds than tile. Clients who are worried about hurricane damage often choose a metal roof as the best roofing material.

A metal roof gives you up to 175-mile-per-hour wind resistance. This is due mostly to the fact that metal roofs consist of fewer pieces than tiles or shingles. Metal roofs are mechanically fastened, meaning we use clips or and screws to install the panels. That also means there’s less chance of leaks.  

One final consideration is that, while metal roofs don’t break or crack like tile roofs can, they can become dented. But if the dent is merely aesthetic, you have less urgency to repair that section of your roof. 

Cons

The look of a metal roof might not be your preference. Different metals create different aesthetics. My team shows samples and pictures of the materials to help our customers make the best choice. 

The main drawback to metal roofs is the price. While the price varies depending on the type of metal, metal roofs are almost always more expensive. 

However, if you live in a place at risk for hurricanes, plan on staying in your home for a long time, and it’s within your budget, metal roofs are a solid investment.

 

Shingle

Shingles are made from fiberglass and asphalt. They come in various colors to choose from, so you have some flexibility in the final look. 

The lower cost option

One of the biggest advantages of shingles is the cost. By far, shingle roofs are the most affordable option. A shingle roof could cost as much as half the price of a metal roof. 

That’s why 75 percent of homes in the United States, north of Palm Beach county, have asphalt shingle roofs. It is the most popular roofing material in North America.

If your home insurance dictates that you change your roof every 15 years, shingles (with a quality underlayment; more on this next) may be the best roofing materials for you. 

More and more homeowners tell me that their insurance companies are issuing them cancellation notices if their roof is more than 15 years old. The insurance company doesn’t tell you what type of roof to get, just that they want you to get a new roof.

However, if your house is paid off and you want some serious wind protection, then I would suggest going with a metal roof instead.

A shingle roof can withstand 130 mile-per-hour winds, but then it’s going to start to sustain damage. However, since you didn’t pay as much for it, shingles could still be a solid option.

 

Choosing the underlayment

The main consideration in choosing the right underlayment is weighing cost versus how long it’s going to last. 

Less expensive underlayments have no warranties. Others provide a 30-year or 50-year. Of course, you’ll pay more for underlayment that is guaranteed to last longer. 

When we work with clients, we explain the options and show samples of the materials to help them decide what makes the most sense. 

Your long-term plans play a part as well. Are you planning on selling your house in just a few years? Or are you planning on living in your home for decades to come and therefore may want to go with the longer warranty? 

At Florida Quality Roofing, we also explain what exclusive manufacturer warranties are available to our clients, made possible through our certifications with leading roofing material manufacturers. 

 

The right choice for you

The most important thing when considering types of roofing materials is to choose the best roofing materials to fit your circumstances. Only you can weigh all the factors of your budget, future plans, HOA restrictions, home insurance demands, and your desired aesthetic.

If you’re overwhelmed with the choices, we would love to help you decide. To schedule your in-home consultation, give us a call at 954-458-6095.