It’s a New Year, and you might be thinking about all the projects you’d like to achieve this year. If property improvement is on that list, perhaps you’re considering a roof replacement or repair work.
Roofing tends to be pricey. Depending on your goals for the year, you may be dreading this expense. You’re wondering how to make your roof last longer so you have more time to recover your costs. Or better yet, invest your money in other property improvements.
Especially in Florida, a roof’s success depends heavily on how it’s built. Not all roofing materials are made equal.
Let’s compare the types of roofs you can choose and explore which options may be best for your Florida home or business.
Which Roofing Material is Best for Florida?
Of all parts of a building, the roof might be the most vulnerable to the elements. And in Florida, those elements can be intense: heavy rains, blinding sun, strong winds. Buildings in hurricane-prone areas may be subject to extreme weather.
Therefore, the best roofing material in Florida is whatever will last longest in these conditions. The top choices include:
Clay barrel tiles
Often seen on “mission-style” architecture, clay barrel tiles are made to withstand the heat. After all, clay is fired solid in a kiln. It’s therefore less likely to warp or decay under Florida’s bright sun.
The “barrel” part of this roof design also helps beat the heat. The overlapping cylinders help pass air between the tiles and the roof deck. This effectively vents hot air from the building itself, which can help the interior stay cooler.
Plus, this space adds in drainage, so you’re less likely to have moisture build up after frequent rains. In traditional shingle roofs, this moisture can lead to cracking, peeling, and curling.
Standing-seam metal
Heard of a hot tin roof? It may sound counterintuitive, but a metal roof can deflect sunshine and keep the interior cooler. Standing-seam metal roofs are designed to accommodate high temperatures. Many materials expand when hot, which can warp the roof over time. With standing-seam metal, the roof panels can adapt to heat expansion.
The metal itself is typically treated with a highly durable sealant. This helps insulate the building while protecting against sun, rain, and wind.
Composite tiles
Also called synthetic tiles, this durable material is UV-resistant. This prevents the roof from absorbing excess heat, so the building stays cooler. The titles themselves are less likely to crack or peel in the hot Florida sun.
Composite tiles are also lightweight, especially compared to metal and clay roofs. Be sure to check your roof’s underlying structure before choosing a material.
Considering a new type of material for your roof replacement? Check out our blog on the best roofing upgrades for 2024.
What Type of Roof Lasts the Longest?
The overall shape and structure of your roof also impacts its lifespan.
If your property has a hip or gable roof, you can choose from any of the metal, asphalt, and clay tiles described earlier. Note that while metal and clay roofs tend to last longer, they’re much more expensive. They’re also heavier, which your building may not be able to support.
Buildings with flat or low-sloped roofs typically use one of the following:
Built-Up Roofing, also called a BUR system. As the name suggests, a BUR is created by layering different roofing materials, such as asphalt and tar.
Modified Bitumen Roof (MBR), a type of rolled roof made with asphalt, rubber, and fiberglass
Built-Up Roofing Advantages and Disadvantages
Built-up roofing is very effective in hot and extreme climates. The multiple layers help insulate the building and prevent damage from heavy rains. BURs are a popular choice for “cool roofs” and are resistant against the sun’s rays.
However, built-up roofing may be vulnerable to water damage. It’s slow to install and requires regular maintenance. If you choose a BUR system, be sure you have gutters and other systems to divert water from your roof.
You can use built-up roofing on both residential and commercial properties. Due to the fumes released during construction, it’s advisable to only install BURs on unoccupied properties.
Modified Bitumen Roof Advantages and Disadvantages
A Modified Bitumen Roof is a highly waterproof option for flat-roofed buildings. It’s constructed with asphalt and rubber or plastic, making it a flexible “peel and stick” roofing material. MBRs are relatively easy to install, which is appealing to many homeowners.
Unfortunately, MBRs may or may not be an energy-efficient option. It somewhat depends on the color. Dark MBR roofing absorbs heat and may increase cooling costs. On the flip side, light-colored MBR material helps deflect sunlight.
And while a Modified Bitumen Roof is great for protecting buildings from water, it’s vulnerable to heavy rains. You may encounter “ponding,” in which pools of water remain on the roof. This causes damage over time.
Keeping Your Roof in Tip-Top Shape
Wondering when to replace roofing shingles? In general, you’ll want to repair or replace shingles as soon as they begin showing damage — cracks, curling up at the edges, and so on. The good thing about asphalt roofing is that it’s quite easy to patch your roof. More durable options such as clay barrel tiles and metal panels won’t degrade as easily, but they’re also not easily patched.
Even if you choose a less durable roofing material, you can extend its lifespan by:
- Applying protective coatings to defend against the sun’s rays, water damage, and strong winds
- Maintaining your gutter system to keep water from pooling next to your roof
- Increasing the slope of your roof to prevent ponding
- Enhancing your property with shade. The less direct sunlight, the longer some roofing materials (e.g. asphalt) may last.
In other words, choosing a durable roofing material is only the start. Proper maintenance and good design can help your roof stay strong for years to come.
Count on Sentinel Roofing for Long-Lasting Results
We install and repair various types of roofing material: asphalt, concrete tile, and metal. We also build low-slope roofing for commercial and multifamily buildings, as well as house extensions such as garages. Consult with us to see which roofing style and material would be best for your needs! Get a free instant roofing estimate now.