How to Choose the Best Roof for Your Home 

A home is a valuable investment that people dream of owning. A roof serves as a barrier between the interior of your home and the exterior world. The roof protects against rain, snow, sunlight, wind, and temperature extremes from penetrating the home. Roofs also prevent your home from leaks and mold or mildew development. 

Having a structurally sound roof adds value to your home. Proper ventilation and sufficient attic insulation means lower heating and cooling bills and less stress on your air conditioner. 

Having an attractive roof adds curb appeal to your home. From premium to synthetic shingles, there are several options to choose from to fit your style. 

There are many factors toconsider when selecting a roof:

•  What is the average lifespan?
•  What kinds of roofing materials are there?
• What materials are the most weather-resistant?
• Will different materials need more additional framework?
• Will the roof help with energy efficiency? 
• What about getting HOA approval for a roof installation?

What is the average life span?

The average lifespan of a roof depends on the type of material chosen. Generally, the larger the investment, the longer it will provide protection. The picture below demonstrates a small overview of what to expect when choosing materials for a new roof. 

Factors affecting lifespan in Florida are high UV exposure, highhumidity, high winds, and salt air. As locals know, living in Florida usually means extremely hot summers and high levels of humidity year-round. 

What kinds of materials are there?

Asphalt Shingles

In general, three-tab asphalt shingles last about 15-20 years. Three-tab asphalt shingles are affordable, but they don’t withstand Florida’s weather compared to other options. They are made up of three-tab shingles that are made with multiple layers of fiberglass.

The fluctuations in Florida’s weather means conditions can shift from wet and dry/humid conditions, which can break down the granules that tops asphalt shingles and can weaken its defenses against weather conditions. With this in mind, asphalt shingles can be rated Class H, which means they can withstand winds of up to 150 MPH, but it may cost more.

Wood Shingles 

Wooden roofing materials are produced from cedar, spruce, and pine trees. Wood shingles last about 25 to 30 years. This style is more visually appealing to customers. If cedar is chosen, it provides protections against insects and rot.

However, wood requires continuous care and an annual inspection should be done to ensure the protection is still in place. Wood can be susceptible to moss, mildew, and mold. 

Metal

Metal roofs are typically made from aluminum, steel, copper, or zinc. The level of protection that metal roofing offers is dependent on the gauge, or thickness of the tiles. If the gauge of the metal roofing is low, that means the thickness of the panel is greater and therefore more durable than metal panels that have a higher gauge and less thickness.

Therefore, a 22 or 24 gauge with great thickness can last 50 years or more, but 25 or 29 gauge with low thickness can last for 20 years.

Architectural “Laminated” Asphalt Shingles

Architectural asphalt shingles are modeled after slate, and they are considered a “luxury” upgrade. They are considered more aesthetically pleasing and more durable due to the files being triple the density of asphalt. They are made up of multiple layers of asphalt coated fiberglass that are laminated together. Architectural asphalt will last anywhere from 30 to 50 years with proper care. 

Composite Shingles 

Composite shingles are made of polymer, rubber, or plastic and they are modeled from slate or cedar. Composite shingles are less expensive than slate and not as fragile as wood. They last longer than wood and provide more protection against heat, hail, and fire.Due to the synthetic nature of composite shingles, they can last from 40 to over 50 years. 

Slate Tiles 

Slate tiles are made from natural slate rock. One important thing to remember is that slate is incredibly heavy so the frame of your house must carry the weight of the slate tiles. Although incredibly heavy, they are extremely durable and can last well over 50 years. Therefore, this type of roofing is one of the most expensive on the market. 

Concrete or Clay Tiles 

Concrete or clay tiles have the same lifespan as slate tiles. Clay tiles are a distinctive color, whereas concrete tiles can be painted various colors. Concrete can also mimic stone,slate, wood, and clay. 

Concrete and clay tiles are cost-efficient as well as protective –they both repel heat and keep things cool. Both materials are also weather and fire-resistant. Like slate tiles, clay and concrete tiles are extremely heavy and may need more framing to withstand the weight. 

What materials are the most weather resistant?

Of course, lifespan is dependent on the conditions of your state. Even with proper installation of a roof, annual maintenance to ensure a safe roof. Inspections can be scheduled with a local roofing company such as Liberty Roofing.

As locals know, living in Florida usually means extremely hot summers and high levels of humidity year-round. Hot summers means high UV exposure. Severe thunderstorms and hurricane season means high winds and water damage.

Signs of weather damage include damage from a fallen tree limb, leaks in home, signs of exposed under layment, missing sections of flashing, or missing shingles.

Metal roofing is one of the strongest materials for withstanding hurricane wind speeds up to 150 mph and has a class 4 hail impact rating. Water slides off the metal, which relieves any worries of standing water that may cause rust. Metal also saves energy by releasing absorbing heat and reflecting sunlight.  

Clay roofing is more prone to resistant rot and insects, whereas concrete is more water-resistant. Both can withstand extremes of heat and cold. 

Laminated shingles and composite shingles are also a good choice for weather-resistance. They both are rated Class H to withstand hurricane force winds. Laminated shingles are made of a strong fiberglass product, which is unlikely to come apart with strong winds or fire. 

Composite shingles made of polymer have a class 4 hail impact rating and can withstand hurricane force winds of 130 mph. Composite shingles also have a class A fire rating.

Will different materials need additional framework?

As mentioned before, metal, luxury shingles, composite shingles, slate, concrete, and clay tiles are among the heaviest options for roofing. From lightest to heaviest, roofing materials in order are metal, wood, asphalt, concrete, clay, and slate. 

Proper roof framing must be completed by a trusted professional, especially when dealing with a heavy roof. 

Will the roof help with energy efficiency?

Light, reflective material releases absorbed heat and prevents it from being transferred into your attic and home than a dark, non-reflective material. Reflecting the sun’s radiation away from your home means less heat that is transferred to the attic and ultimately, a cooler attic means a cooler home. 

The higher the solar reflective index (SRI), the better the ability to release any heat that is absorbed. A high SRI at 40 vs a low SRI at 25 can mean a 15-20% savings on your energy bill. In Florida where summer heat is usually over 80 degrees, this is a huge difference in savings. Proper ventilation is also a key element to energy efficiency.  

With proper ventilation and less heat in the attic, this extends the life of your HVAC system. The temperature of your house will be more comfortable, and the cooling system won't need to expend as much energy. In addition, an energy efficient roof will add to the property value if you ever decide to sell. 

Ask your roofing professional how to select the proper material if reducing energy and saving money is the goal. 

What about getting HOA approval for a roof installation?

Before a new roof installation begins, a homeowner needs approval from their HOA board. Some HOA’s have regulations regarding a particular roof color or sometimes even the roofing material. 

For those who live in a wildfire area, the HOA may require fire-resistant materials such as clay or slate. The HOA may also require hurricane resistance roofs such as concrete or composite shingles. 

Some HOA boards may require every roof in a home adhere to certain design standards. This can be a point of contention for home buyers who may want to choose an unconventional color for their roof.

Make sure to review your HOA guidelines with a local contractor and discuss any specifics with your HOA board to ensure you’re taking the proper steps for your home. 

Need help? 

Are you uncertain what kind of shingles to go with? Have you noticed damage from the elements and need to repair it? Are you looking to upgrade your roof to be more energy-efficient? Do you need permission from a Homeowners' Association to get a new roof?

For a thorough discussion of pricing and material costs:

Contact Liberty Roofing of Central Florida at (407) 930-4600 today or emailus at info@libertyroofingcfl.com to schedule a consultation today.

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