Best Roofing Material for a Custom Florida Home
While living in Florida brings sunshine and warm weather, it also brings intense storms, hurricanes, heavy rain and harsh winds, especially during the summer and fall. These severe weather conditions can blow shingles off of roofs and cause irreversible damage. Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, demonstrated the worst of coastal weather when its 165 mph winds left around 160,000 people homeless in South Florida. To prevent damage in these disasters, Huber & Associates is here to offer you Florida roofing solutions and tips, founded on over 40 years of experience.
Hurricanes and other weather can cause shingles or tiles to detach or can cause the whole roof to be blown off. You can prevent these situations by picking the proper materials for your custom Florida home or any related project. Here is a look at some of the roofing materials available, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Copper Roofing
Among many Floridians, copper roofing is considered to be the ultimate roofing material. It is often used as ornamental roofing, appearing on elegant custom homes and other high-end buildings, such as hotels and government offices. Copper starts out bright orange and fades to a soft blue-green over time. When it is installed properly, copper roofing can last upwards of 50 years and withstand harsh Florida weather.
There are several advantages to copper roofing. As a metal, copper roofing material is durable, capable of resisting fire, mold, hailstorms and other natural forces. At the same time, copper is lightweight. This means it can be installed quickly and affordably, often on top of an existing roof. Like other metal roofing materials, copper reflects the sun's light, making it an energy-efficient option. Copper roofing can help keep your custom Florida home cool and comfortable. You can experience lower utility bills and less strain on HVAC equipment, all underneath a beautiful roof.
As far as design goes, copper roofing offers an array of styles, shapes, textures and colors, so you can give your home a historical or modern look.
2. Clay Tiles
This ideal Florida roofing option can easily handle adverse weather and heat. Orange-brown clay tiles complement homes with stucco siding and will go well with any Southwestern style architecture. They come in other colors and are recyclable. Other than the occasional cleaning, clay tiles also don’t require a lot of care. They are resistant to rot and insects as well.
Clay tiles are heavy and because of this, they may need extra support. Additionally, some tiles are fragile and can break if you walk on them. However, higher quality tiles, such as Ludowici, have a greater lifespan and are much stronger than mid or low-grade tile roofs.
One of the biggest advantages of clay tiles is their lifespan of 50 years or more, which is much longer than traditional asphalt shingles. They also can handle seawater exposure and withstand winds over 100 mph. Clay tiles can ensure water stays above the tile as long as the proper flashing is installed. They are also not combustible, so they pose no fire hazard.
3. Wood Shakes
This type of roofing is most-frequently seen along the U.S. northeastern coastline. However, it can also be found in some areas of Florida, such as Naples. The natural beauty of this material is hard to beat, and wood shakes have excellent practical appeal as well. As long as you give them the proper care, your wood shakes could last for up to 40 years. This material also acts as an effective insulator for homeowners who enjoy maintaining a certain temperature inside their home. Wood shakes work better than asphalt shingles in terms of insulation, too — allowing you to potentially save money on heating bills in the winter and cooling during the intense Florida summers.
These are just a few of the advantages that wood shakes provide as Florida home roofing materials. They can also resist saltwater damage and severe storms. If installed correctly, they can withstand winds as strong as 245 mph. While tile can break during a hailstorm or curl and break from high winds, wood shakes will often remain intact through bad Florida storms.
4. Slate Tiles
Natural slate tiles are another option for homeowners and architects looking for durable roof materials. Like clay tiles, slate allows for less airflow and weighs more than all other materials. While slate tiles are generally viewed as one of the highest quality and longest lasting roofing materials available — between 50 and 100 years in most cases — they can come with complicated installation and relative fragility.
If you’re looking to set your home apart with striking design elements, slate presents a versatility with its variety of colors. Many love the look of slate but fear the frequent maintenance it requires. If this is a concern for you, you can find high-quality porcelain or ceramic tiles that can replicate the look and feel of natural stone but with less upkeep needed.
5. Concrete
If you're looking to mimic the look of wood stakes or other types of tile, this newly trending Florida roofing material option might be right for you. Concrete tiles do tend to be more expensive than other options, though, and you may have issues with the material changing color, breaking or curling over time.
There are several advantages to concrete tiles, too. They can come made with fiber-reinforcement, which enhances their low maintenance and durable qualities. They are resistant to mold, insects and rot, while being much lighter than slate or clay tiles. Concrete tiles won't be damaged by heat or sunlight either. They also come in a variety of colors and textures to match the design of your home and are considered to be an environmentally-friendly roofing option.
Choose Huber & Associates for Your Florida Roofing Materials
Huber & Associates works across Florida and specializes in a variety of custom roofing types and applications. We work in large upscale residential homes or businesses. Contact us today for more information on our award-winning services to get the best roofing material for your Florida home!