There are many types of roofing materials you can choose from, including wood shakes, metal, and slate. But the two most common roofing materials in the Sarasota area are clay tile and asphalt shingle.
Given the popularity of these two types of roof, the question arises – which is the best material for a Florida roof? There are many factors to consider.
Which Material is Best for my Florida Roof?
The fact is, both tile roofs and asphalt shingle roofs are great choices for our Florida climate and lifestyle. The question, therefore, is less about which Florida roof is best – and more about your budget, maintenance requirements, and even your home’s structure.
Budget: If you are concerned about the cost of your new roof, the price of tile vs. asphalt shingle may make your decision for you. Tile or clay roofs can be two to three times more expensive than a shingle roof, which is one of the most affordable roofs to install.
Lifespan: The extra cost of the tile roof does not come without benefit, however. In recent years, many tile roofs have been rated to last 40 or even 50 years (with proper maintenance) while an asphalt shingle roof is expected to last about 20 years given the care it needs. Because of the expected lifespan of each roof, a tile roof generally comes with a more extensive product warranty as well.
Home Structure: In the Sarasota area, most older homes have shingle roofs, and newer homes in deed restricted communities often have tile roofs. If your older home needs a roof replacement and you want to put a tile roof on it, you may wish to call in a roofing professional for a consultation. Tile is much heavier than shingle, and the home’s frame structure may not be able to support the added weight of the new material without reinforcement or added framing.
Maintenance Concerns: Asphalt shingle roofs can suffer cracked or curling shingles, granular loss, or missing shingles after a storm or in the intense Florida heat. Tile roofs may experience cracked tiles – but usually only if someone walks on the roof or if debris has landed on your roof. Tile roofs have less maintenance and can withstand storms and severe weather better than asphalt shingles – but replacement or repair is much more expensive when damage does occur. Asphalt shingles are easy and affordable to replace, and repairing a small section of the roof is easy as well. Finally, asphalt shingles are more susceptible to algae, moss and fungus – and thus require more regular cleaning than tile.
Aesthetics: Often the choice between roof styles is purely aesthetic. The look of a terra cotta tile roof is substantially different than a gray shingle roof – not only in color, but texture and structure. Asphalt shingles are increasingly available in more colors and looks, so are becoming more attractive to many homeowners.
As you can see, choosing between an asphalt shingle roof and a tile roof is often not a question of which Florida roof is better – but which fits your budget, style and life. If you are trying to decide which roof is right for you, call in one of the experts from Avery Roof Services. We can inspect your current roof, discuss your options, and provide pricing – as well as advise you if any additional construction will need to be done to properly install your choice.
Making the best choice requires that you have all the information you need – how can our roofing experts help?
Your Local, Trusted, Sarasota Roofer
