Land or Sea, What’s the Best Roof for Me in Florida?
Land or sea, what’s the best roof for me in Florida? Building a new house or replace a roof in Florida implies making many decisions. What color scheme do you want? What roofing material are you going to use? The answers to these questions will influence fundamental aspects, such as the final cost of your roof and its durability.
Likewise, the local climate is a critical factor to take into account. The choice of the proper roofing material for your house will depend on the characteristics of the local weather.
Below, we are going to guide you through the most convenient roofing materials for Florida homes. To make this selection, we considered the particular climatic features of each Florida region.
Best Roofing Material for Florida’s West Coast
The west coast’s Florida climate may change a lot. Thus, every homeowner in this area must know the local weather patterns. This way, you can plan properly how to build your roof and protect your home.
Did you know that Tampa occupies place number 14 among the U.S. cities most hit by hurricanes? According to the stats, every 2.03 years a hurricane strikes this zone. When these catastrophic natural events arrive, winds may reach up to 137 mph!
The rest of the year, Tampa weather is wonderful. However, if you live here, you must prepare your home and your roof to withstand the worst conditions. That is why Tampa homeowners should install sturdy materials able to resist heavy storms and strong winds.
On the contrary, a hurricane in Sarasota is an exceptional event, although it is just 60 miles south of Tampa. Due to the particular shape of Florida State, this zone does not suffer the devastating impact of the storms that hit other places off the coast.
Still, as in the rest of Florida, it rains a lot here. This city receives 56 inches of rain annually, which is 20 inches over the national average. So, the best alternatives for Sarasota residents are also waterproof metal roofs.
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Best Roofing Material for Florida’s East Coast
Jacksonville city is the 32nd most hurricane-prone city in the whole United States. On average, the metropolitan area of Jacksonville gets the impact of a hurricane every 2.21 years. Also, the East Coast receives frequent visits from tropical storms and hurricanes.
For example, in 2016, winds with more than 80 mph of speed hit this area when Hurricane Mathew occurred.
Considering these facts, East Coast homeowners have the following options for their roofs:
• You can choose premium-quality architectural asphalt shingles. This material can resist speeds of up to 130 mph.
• Additionally, you have the widely used 3-Tab shingle roofing systems.
Best Roofing Material for the Panhandle
Unlike other Florida regions, hurricanes have a lower impact in the Panhandle. Yet, if you live here, you still will get a lot of rain. With 56 rainy days every year, and an average annual rainfall of 65 inches, Pensacola, Florida, is the second rainiest city in the U.S.
If we go a couple of hundred miles to the west, we will find Tallahassee. This city is ninth on the list of Americas’ rainiest cities. Hurricane Hermine, which struck the Apalachee Bay Coast in 2016, had wind speeds over 80 miles per hour.
For homes in this area, what does all of this imply? Again, waterproofed metal roofing is a must-have for every building. By installing this type of roof, you are safeguarding your home from wind damage.
Traditionally, the most usual roofing material options in this zone have been asphalt and composite shingles. But, due to their porous nature, mold and mildew tend to grow on them.
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Best Roofing Material for Central Florida
The climate in Central Florida is hot and sunny all year round. Orlando is a good example. It has an average of 233 sunny days each year and maximum temperatures of 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
This kind of weather is great for taking vacations, right? However, for your roof, it is not so convenient. The intense sun-rays and heat are extremely damaging for it.
Asphalt shingles are the more economical and popular option. Yet, under the permanent heat, they tend to soften and curl. So, harsh weather conditions like these make roofs more prone to wind damage and reduce their lives between 20 to 40 percent.
A way to reduce the speed of the wear and tear process is by choosing light-colored shingles. They help to extend your roof’s useful life since they deflect the sun’s rays. Therefore, the amount of heat that accumulates on your roof is lower.
Conclusion
The lifespan of your roof, the integrity of your home structure, and as a result, your home’s safety depend on choosing the right roofing materials. As you have seen, the local climate is a crucial factor you must consider when installing a new roof.
Thus, if you plan to replace your roof, looking for the help of local roofing specialists is a wise move. At Ridge Valley Exteriors, we gladly provide experts and up-to-date advice.
Call Ridge Valley at 844-741-7663 or visit our website and ask for a free quote.
