04 Dec 2017

Your home’s roof is one of its first lines of defense against the outdoor elements, which is why roof maintenance is so important. In Florida, things can get really dicey when extremely hot temperatures, high humidity and the potential for hurricane-force winds are added to the roofing equation. A roof’s materials have a lot to do with its expected useful life, energy efficiency and life cycle costs. Some of the most common roofing materials are asphalt, clay tile, concrete tile, metal, cedar and slate. Since asphalt is the most popular roofing material for American homes, it is good to evaluate its pros and cons for Florida roofing projects.

Benefits of Asphalt Roof Shingles in Florida

Easy Installation
Asphalt shingles are lightweight, rectangular-shaped and flexible. These attributes make them simple and safe to install by a qualified roofing professional. Florida roofs come in a variety of designs that contribute to the architectural detail of structures. Asphalt shingles easily adapt to standard and unconventional roof angles for beautiful results.

Color and Style Choices
As roof material manufacturing continues to improve, homeowners have an increasing number of choices when it comes to asphalt shingle color and style. While you can get high quality asphalt roof shingles in nearly any shade, it is the variety of textures and patterns that are most impressive. For instance, these shingles can be crafted to look like significantly more expensive cedar shake tiles.

Meets Industry Performance Standards
Not all asphalt shingles are manufactured equally. While low-end asphalt shingles have a tendency to lift up during high winds, premium asphalt-based roof shingles like the ones offered by our preferred manufacturer Owens Corning are made to meet industry standards for wind, impact and fire resistance. Tampa Bay roofing projects also require asphalt shingles that are treated with algaecides due to the area’s high humidity levels.

Affordable
The price that you will pay for the materials and labor of an asphalt roof in Florida is much less than what you can expect to pay for one that is made from materials such as clay or concrete tiles. These materials are heavier, and they require specialized training to install professionally.

Cons of Asphalt Shingles for Florida Roofs

Less Energy Efficient Than Other Materials
When you’re considering the best roofing shingles for energy efficiency in Florida, materials other than asphalt may offer more benefits. Asphalt shingles absorb a lot more heat than metal or clay tiles, which can increase the temperature inside of a home by as much as 20%. Modern attic ventilation can help mitigate this issue with asphalt roofs.

Shorter Lifespan Than Other Roofing Materials
There is a reason why many Tampa Bay roofing projects utilize clay tiles instead of asphalt shingles. Clay tiles are naturally more durable than asphalt shingles. A high-quality asphalt shingle roof can last up to 30 years, but a clay tile roof can last a century with proper maintenance.

Not a True Green Building Material
While asphalt shingles are a cost-effective option for many homeowners, they aren’t currently the best roofing shingles for the environment. Asphalt shingles are made from petroleum products, which increases the industry’s dependence on fossil fuels. Recycling programs exist in some areas for end-of-life asphalt shingles, but most of these discarded building materials end up in landfills.

Lose Aesthetic Appeal in Extreme Heat
One of the decided benefits of using architectural asphalt roof shingles is how great they look for the money. However, the extreme heat of Florida summers can cause them to lose their good looks faster than usual. Extreme heat causes asphalt shingles to lose their color and crack due to continuous expansion and contraction.

If you are considering a new roof or need roof repairs in Central Florida, give the experts at Handyman Roofing a contact us for a free consultation.