Home Improvement

South Florida Homes – How To Choose the Right Roof Type

South Florida is a hotspot for frequent storms and hurricanes, which means you’re going to need to refinish your roof at one time or another. You might be interested in what types of roofing material would best withstand these conditions since as you’ll learn, not all roof types are created equally. In fact, most homeowners don’t give proper consideration to the roof when they are building their home, so when it comes time to do a roof inspection, you might be surprised by what you find.

For years, homeowners had no choice but to put up with slate roofs in Florida homes. It’s cold, it’s expensive, and it does not hold up to the elements well. Now, however, there are new roof types on the market that have taken the slate boatload off the market and are providing consumers with great-looking alternatives. Available in both natural and synthetic fabrics, these new roofs provide the look of slate while being much more affordable and durable.

Extreme Weather

Miami is constantly being scorched by fierce hurricanes, and when it comes to protecting your home, there is no better solution than to install an ultra-high performance roof. Installing a hurricane shield can be extremely expensive, but you can avoid blowing out your budget by choosing a membrane solution over clay tiles. Mosaic tiles create a shield against the intense heat, which is exactly what you get from a membrane roofing system. If your home is located in an area that experiences extreme heat, then this could be just the option you’ve been looking for. For the environmentally-conscious homeowners, clay tiles might not be the best choice for you; however, the membrane roofing systems are far more cost-effective.

UV Protection

Although there have been many studies that have shown the positive benefits of urethane, there is no denying that the traditional slate roofs were able to provide the same UV protection. With many homeowners being exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays during the daylight hours, a heavy-duty roof will protect your home against fading and cracking. In addition, the new, heavier types are able to withstand the extreme heat that is often associated with south Florida weather. As the climate changes from year to year, some homeowners even require additional UV protection for their homes. The good news is that new types on the market today can provide the UV protection your home needs without adding additional cost. You can easily invest in a UV shield system and save money on your monthly electricity bill.

High-Quality Materials

When choosing a roofing material, make sure you select one made of high-quality materials. After all, they are going to be installed on your roof. Although there are some homeowners who prefer to go with aluminum roofs, high-quality tiles and shingles are definitely an option for those looking to reduce the amount of maintenance required on their roofs. Many homeowners even prefer using metal roofing materials to help reduce energy consumption during the warmer months.

Easy Maintenance and Cleaning

Along with the ability to withstand harsh environmental elements, high-quality tile roofs provide easy maintenance. Because they are sealed and airtight, dirt, debris, and other types of pests are not a problem. Because they do not add additional weight to the roof, there is no need to wait for heavy equipment to perform specialized tasks to remove debris or clean the eaves and attics. Tile roofs also provide the added benefit of providing ease of cleaning and dusting due to their non-slip surface. They do not retain debris and snow that fall on them and are easily vacuuming to ensure that your house remains free of dust and debris.

This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of Old Time Roofing which is the premier Largo Roofing Contractor! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has been a tradition in quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.