Climate should always be a major factor when deciding on residential roofing materials for your Oviedo home. Your roof protects your family and property from unpredictable weather – so a Florida roof must be capable of withstanding a wide range of elements including extreme heat, thick humidity and moisture, high winds, and heavy rains. Furthermore, your roofing system plays a major role in helping your home to stay cool and can even reduce your annual utility costs.
Florida weather can expedite the deterioration of less durable types of roofing materials and drastically shorten the overall lifespan of a good residential system. Fortunately, there are some roofing materials that perform exceptionally well in hot climates and can also withstand severe weather. While durable, longer lasting materials may be more expensive short term, you’ll be able to realize the savings in repair and maintenance costs over several decades.
Top Roofing Considerations For Florida Climates
- Heat Reflection and Airflow – When selecting roofing materials, remember your roof will receive long-term daily exposure to harsh Florida sun. Some materials, like metal roofs, are able to reflect sunlight instead of absorbing which can help reduce the temperature inside of your home. Additionally, some roofing systems are designed to increase airflow between the roofing materials and the decking, which can help provide your home with extra ventilation.
- Durability – High winds and heavy rain can wreak havoc on certain types of materials. Heavy moisture can also lead to rot, mold, and mildew. Selecting a roof that is durable and capable of withstanding a wide range of elements is important.
- Appearance and Style – Remember your roof should be durable and look good at the same time. Be sure to select a roofing material with the right colors, texture, and pattern to add aesthetic value to your home. Take a look at the roofs of other area homes – you may want to match the rest of the neighborhood.
Best Roofing Materials For Florida Climates:
If you’re preparing for a roof replacement or are seeking new construction roofing services in the Oviedo area, consider these durable, heat resistant, and good looking options for your new roofing system:
1. Terracotta Clay Roof Tiles
Closely resembling spanish colonial style roofing, terracotta clay tiles have a a classic curved shape and are often come in natural earth tones. However, the benefits of a terracotta clay tile roof go far beyond its classic European aesthetics.
The top benefit of clay tiles is they last a long time. With proper maintenance, it’s reasonable to expect a 50 to 75 year lifespan. Because they’re made from ceramic derived from clay, they have a number of weather resistant properties and a great reputation for being able to withstand heat over a long period of time. Clay tiles are waterproof (less prone to leaking) and fire resistant, which can provide much peace of mind to any homeowner. Additionally, the curved shape allows air ventilation beneath the surface of the roof which can go a long way towards keeping the interior of your home cool.
Terracotta clay tile roofs are not without their drawbacks. They are one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market with costs ranging from $700 to $1,000 per square. They are also extremely heavy, which is great when it comes to protecting against high winds and storms, but also may require homeowners to add roof reinforcement prior to installation.
2. Metal Roofs
The number one reason metal roofs are well suited for warm climates is their natural ability to reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. Because of its reflective quality, metal roofs are able to maintain a lower average surface temperature than most other roofing materials. A lower temperature on the roof ultimately means lower temperatures in your home. Some believe a metal roof can actually save you up to 10 to 25 percent on your annual energy costs.
Metal roofs are easier to maintain than tile roofs (less maintenance costs over time) and also offer longevity, with many types lasting 40 to 70 years. They have fewer seams or entry points for water to get in, so leaking is less of an issue with these systems. Many metal roofs are able to withstand wind speeds up to 160 miles per hour, and because they are not made up of dozens of small pieces, there’s no risk of projectiles coming loose in the wind.
Metal roofs are also much easier to clean than shingles or tile, which makes it easier to prevent unwanted plant growth such as mold, mildew, and algae. Like clay tiles, metal roofs are also fire resistant, which means they are less likely to ignite during lightning strikes or neighboring house fires. To top it off, they’re also environmentally friendly and frequently made from recycled aluminium or copper products.
When it comes to downsides, metal roofs may be more susceptible to corrosion, especially in areas near salt water. However, there are special treatments available that can help prevent corrosive deterioration. Metal roofs may also be a bit noisy when storms roll in with heavy rains and large hail. While they aren’t as expensive as clay tiles, they are still two to three times pricier than traditional asphalt shingles.
3. Concrete Tiles
A concrete tile roofing system is a great long term investment. Concrete offer many of the benefits of terracotta clay tiles, but at a cheaper price. If you’re looking for durability, concrete is a great choice. It’s capable of withstanding just about anything you can think of – including hail, rot, insects, and fire. When installed properly, concrete tiles should be able to handle wind speeds over 175 miles per hour.
Concrete tiles are available in lighter colors which can help reflect sunlight. Additionally, it’s so thick that it can be slow to absorb heat, which can help keep your home cool. The downside is it’s also slow to release the heat it absorbs, so it can take longer to cool down after a day in the sun.
The cons of concrete tiles are that they’re much heavier than other roofing materials, which can make for a lengthy and complicated installation process. Concrete may be more susceptible to leakage and plant growth than clay or metal roofing systems and require more frequent maintenance.
At the end of the day, you want to select durable materials that can handle a wide variety of elements and also look good. Keep in mind that finding a reputable contractor to handle the installation is just as important as selecting the right roofing materials. If you’re looking for new construction roofing services or are planning to reroof your Oviedo home, contact us at Native Building Services & Roofing. Our team of residential roofing experts can help you select the best roofing system and plan your roofing project today.
