Florida: Different types of roofs in the Sunshine State
Florida is known for theme parks and long beautiful beaches. It is also called a sunshine state due to extreme weather conditions here. It’s not only the sun, but rain, strong winds, and tropical storms are also characteristic features of Florida weather. If you don’t have strong roofing material in such weather conditions, you can be in trouble. It is important to know different types of roofs and their differences. It will help you to make wise decisions.
Types of roof structures in Florida
Residents of Florida have various options when it comes to roof structures. A structure determines the protection you will get and the roof’s durability, so you have to choose it carefully. Here we are discussing some roof types which are popular in Florida.
Gable roofs: The common triangular roofs you see around are gable roofs. Two slops join together at the top. Solid boards or slats are used to make sides. They can be further divided into subcategories like a front gable roof, cross gable roof, and Dutch gable roof. These roofs can withstand strong winds and rainstorms. They are also very affordable for homeowners. However, they are not resistant to water damage.
Hip roof: This is also a sloped roof, but it does not look like a triangle. All three sides of the roof are parallel and meet at the center. The rigid length runs from one end to the other. Less surface area makes them durable as compared to gable roofs. Less material is required to build hip roofs. However, they may require additional installation support.
Butterfly roof: Roofs having four sides and their length is more than the width is called butterfly roof. The sides are sloppy, but the degree can be different. This roof gives a beautiful look to the house. The butterfly roof offers protection from rainstorms. Water is not directed towards the sides but collected at downspouts.
Flat roof: Roofs having no slopes are flat roofs. These roofs can be constructed with solid boards or slates. Flat roofs are prone to rainstorm damage, and strong winds can also be dangerous. Moreover, water leakage is also a problem, and usually, it is very difficult to find the spot of leakage. However, with added protection, contractors can overcome these problems. Installation of a gutter can reduce the leakage problem to a great extent. Tar and gravel can also be used to make the roof waterproof.
Mansard roof: a four-sided structure having two slopes is called a mansard roof. The lower slope is wider than the upper one. It uses less material, so it is cheaper compared to other roofs. However, you may need more labor and skilled workers to build this structure. If your home has balconies, this roof stricter is best for you.
Gambrel Roof: A roof with two slopes is called a gambrel roof. The upper slope is steeper than the lower one. The roof structure is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The shape of the roof looks like a pyramid, which gives a beautiful look to the house. The advantage of the roof is the addition of some extra storage space in the house. You can easily install cabinets on a sloped ceiling. However, if your home is made from stone or bricks, this kind of roof is not suitable. You may need extra support to install the gambrel roof.
Types of roofing materials
Like the roofing structure, different types of roofing materials are also available. Every material has its characteristics and pros and cons. You can choose any material according to your preferences.
- Asphalt Shingles: Asphalt Shingles is the most popular roofing materials in Florida. The life of this material is usually more than 20 years, and it is very cost-effective too. Moreover, you can easily install it, and repair is also simple. However, there are some disadvantages of asphalt shingles; for instance, they can quickly disintegrate in the hot and humid weather of the state. Some types of shingles create a lot of noise in strong winds. They are not resistant to fire and water leakage. Moreover, there are complaints of mold building under the shingles.
- Fibreglass Shingles: The life of fiberglass shingles can exceed 30 years. They are resistant to weathering and suitable for almost all roof structures. However, they are expensive compared to asphalt shingles and need skilled craftsmen for installation. Most people avoid them for their high price.
- Composite shingles: These are manufactured with synthetic and organic materials, called composite shingles. They are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The life of composite shingles can be 25 years. Fire resistance is another advantage of these shingles, but their price is the disadvantage. They are very expensive as compared to other shingles.
- Metal roofs: metal roofs are also very popular as they are resistant to environmental factors like rain, wind, and hurricane. They are also fire-resistant and easy to repair. The cost-effective metal roofs are easy to install as well. However, they can be noisy during a rainstorm. Metal roofs are also available in different variants like metal shingle roofs, sheet metal roofs, metal slate roofs, corrugated metal roofs, etc.
- Clay tile roof: If you live in an area that receives medium rainfall, you can install a clay tile roof, but for the heavy rainfall regions, it’s not suitable. The age of this material can be 50 years, and it is also very easy to install. However, these roofs are very heavy and need a strong structure to hold them. Another downside of a clay tile roof is its price. They are very expensive as compared to other available options.
- Ceramic tiles: The age of this material can be more than 70 years, and it’s affordable as well. However, if conditions are humid, these tiles can easily break as they are not thick to resist weathering.
- Cedar Shingles: The cedar shingles manufactured with wood are last on our list. The age of this material can be more than 40 years, and it’s very environmentally friendly too. However, the color of these shingles fade with time, and you may need to repair them after a few years. Moreover, they are also expensive for a commoner
About Gold Key Roofing
Our highly trained, certified roofing professionals inspect, test, evaluate and calculate all the necessary data from your project to provide your home with the ultimate protection – providing you with time-tested peace of mind.
In an industry where many roofers are in business today and out-of-business tomorrow, it is unusual to find a company like Gold Key Roofing with our experience and proven record of quality and reliability since 1975.
Roofing Services Offered in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida Areas:
| Residential Roof Repair | Roof Cleaning |
| Residential Roof Replacement | Roof Claims Assistance |
| Commercial Roof Repair | Blown-In Insulation |
| Commercial Roof Replacement |
