Best Roof Types for Florida and Coastal Area - Metal, Shingle, Tile, Clay, Concrete

When Mother Nature throws a punch, we all want to be protected under an intact roof. The weather drives humanity’s need for shelter whether it’s beautiful outside or not!

It’s not a secret that Florida is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and its 1350 miles worth can be enjoyed year-round. The seashores within this place have long been coveted for their fantastic views and access to beaches. Yet, many live in fear that a hurricane or tropical storm will make landfall bringing damage to their homes. The need for a safe shelter in Florida is what Restoration Roofing of Tampa Bay is catering to nowadays especially when it comes to installing or replacing roofs. Different types of roofs are being installed all over the state to protect home and business owners’ assets.

The climate in Florida supports many different types of roofs that are ideal for the area. While metal and tile roofs are most common, shingle, clay, and concrete can also be used successfully. Different roofing materials have individual advantages when it comes to cost, lifespan, maintenance requirements, waterproofing capacity, fire resistance, and durability to name a few factors.  What landscape you have and how long you plan to stay will influence your roofing decision so we’ll discuss what types of roofs best serve the needs of Florida and coastal areas.

Different Types of Roofs for Florida & Coastal Areas

 

Each roofing material has its benefits and unique properties. Different types of roofs are highly recommended in Florida depending on the climate. Here are the top roofing materials in the state, along with coastal areas where they are suitable:

Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing Tampa

As perhaps one of the most popular roofs in Florida, metal is a great choice for all climates. Despite being lightweight and cost-effective, it is capable of achieving various styles which can further enhance its practicality. Metal roofs are a strong option for those who value long-lasting durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions.

Metal roofs are perfect for coastal living because they come in so many different colors and textures, withstanding the elements of wind or rain. Standing seam is by far the most popular but metal tiles can also be found on shingle edges to give your house extra character! Standing seam panels in 22-gauge (best), 24 gauge or 26 gauge Galvalume steel is the most corrosion-resistant material for seaside living. 

These finishes provide strong protection against salt spray environments and will not wear down easily even when exposed to harsh conditions like windswept beaches with little shelter from storms that come up suddenly off of oceans around this area. It can handle salt air better than most materials which makes it a great choice for coastal areas where salt is a common problem. Salt will corrode just about anything so this is an ideal roof in place.

A metal roofing installation will stand up to high winds, snow, rain, fire, and hail! Not all rooftops can be expected to last as long as a metal one so it’s practically a great investment to install a metal roof.Metal roofs are for low slopes. It can withstand winds of up to 160 mph, have no crevices that leak when it rains and this roof can last for 50+ years. 

Finally, there’s a cool roof technology that significantly assists energy efficiency making this option even more compelling!

Shingle Roof

The roof shingle works in any environment and it can also be highly effective in coastal areas because shingles can help insulate houses from the heat! Different kinds of shingle roofs can be used including high-end asphalt shingles, metal, tile, or cedar. They are the more affordable option compared to other types of roofing that provide better quality although they need regular maintenance and waterproofing.

Shingle roofs are perfect for Florida’s climate because they are sturdy and come in different styles which can enhance the design. This type of roof is durable and they can handle weather changes without showing wear or tear, adding to their practicality. These are also fireproof which makes them popular among homeowners who live in places with a high risk of fire damage. Different types of shingles come in asphalt or cedar that are both superb roofing materials.

Along the U.S northeastern coastline, wood shake roofs are a common sight in regions that experience high winds like Florida. They’re also well known for their ability to withstand strong gusts up to 245 mph withstanding saltwater environments and maintaining their natural beauty even after years without maintenance or protection from weathering elements such as UV rays.

Cedar shake roofs are a cost-effective way to achieve long-term protection for your home. To resist burning and insect infestation the wood can be pre-treated and the installation may also take up time due to its labor-intensive nature which adds to the cost.

This roof lasts for 25 – 30 years, but if you want the roof of that duration then it will require routine maintenance every few months.

Clay, Concrete, Tile Roofing

Clay Roofing Tampa

These roofs are also common choices in coastal regions because they’re fireproof and will not absorb water. Different types of clay or concrete roofs can be designed to cope with harsh weather conditions, beautiful and artistic for that luxurious look, and fairly easy to maintain if you have the right tools. The price of this roofing material is comparable to metal and shingle roofs, but clay or concrete roofs come with a longer warranty.

Clay or Ceramic Roof

Clay tiles or Ceramic Roof are designed to be incredibly sturdy and they can even withstand earthquakes and high winds which makes them an excellent choice for coastal areas! Different types of clay tiles can also be beautiful works of art. Clay roofs are priced lower than other types of roofs because clay tiles can last from 20 – 50 years, depending on the type of clay used.

Different types of clay tiles offer a wide range of styles and colors to complement the design of your house and they’re durable as well. This can keep out moisture so this is an ideal type of roofing material for Florida & coastal areas. This type of roof is a practical and cost-effective choice that can last decades without the need for much upkeep and maintenance. This is because the tiles will not degenerate from salt spray, and clay tiles can withstand winds over 100 mph. It needs superior underlayments for installation to benefit from rainwater staying away from roof deck sheathing with proper flashing technique applied during construction time.

The lifespan usually ranges between 50-100 years depending on how often it’s maintained or repaired by professionals with a 30-year warranty.

Concrete Roof

Another attractive option for coastal areas is concrete roofs. Different types of tile roofs made from concrete offer a stylish and low-maintenance choice that can even last up to 50 years before it will need replacement and no routine maintenance is needed. Different types of concrete tiles are fireproof and waterproof which makes them an excellent roofing material.

Concrete Roofing has a sturdiness that can last up to 80 years and still look good as new without adding too much cost. Concrete roofs provide superior strength against the elements, including wind, fire, impact from falling objects, the buoyancy of air-borne pollutants, and many more.

The price of concrete roofing depends on how labor-intensive installation is to estimate on average around $15 -30 per sq ft. This type of roof is an effective long-term investment that provides a safe waterproofing finish, and this roofing material isn’t difficult to maintain as it requires only painting every few years which makes it a low maintenance option for Florida & coastal areas.

What Type of Roof to Choose

Roofing Company Tampa

Allowing for all the materials to be ranked from best to worst, we find that metal roofs and concrete tiles would come in the first place. Behind those two choices are ceramic tile or natural slate depending on what type of coastal living you’re looking forward to; after these top three options come wood shakes before asphalt shingles.

Deciding what type of roof to use will depend on the climate you live in, how much weight your roof can support, what kind of weather you’re expecting in your area, and ultimately the style that will look best on your house. Different types of roofs are suited to different areas around Florida & Coastal Areas and these roofs can all be fixed and installed by Restoration Roofing of Tampa Bay

Check out their website to learn more about their services and freely ask what type of roof is best for you!