Tile Roofing vs. Metal Roofing – Southwest Florida

Tile Roofing “Wins”: Proven to Best Protect Your Home (in Southwest Florida)

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When you live in Florida, you have to deal with extreme and uncertain weather. Because Florida has scorching heat, high humidity, and a plethora of hurricanes, the roof over your head needs to be more than just a covering. Many of our clients have a neighbor they know, who’ve been denied by their insurance. The cost and lack of durability in shingle roofing just won’t cut it anymore. Your roof needs to be able to handle everything the Sunshine State will throw at it.
While there are many types of roofing materials all over Southwest Florida, tile roofing is quickly becoming the best choice for Florida homes. Let’s look more closely at why tile roofing is quickly becoming the standard, above shingles and metal.

1. Better durability in Florida’s weather

Anyone living in Southwest Florida for at least a few years understands how unpredictable our climate has become. Your roof needs to be strong enough to stand up to the heat all year yes, but it also needs to withstand torrential downpour and hurricane winds. Roofing with tiles, especially clay and concrete tiles, outlasts other roofing materials.

Tile Roofing vs. Shingle Roofing in Nokomis:

Shingle roofs fade and break down over time from the strong UV rays. High winds can lift the shingle and affect the structure of your entire roof. This is one of the few reasons so many shingle roofs have been denied by home insurance companies, especially following our recent hurricanes. If you get damage to your shingles during a hurricane, the insurance adjusters can easily claim its previous damage because of how easy they are to deteriorate in our climate. After just a few years, heat and water can quickly break down shingles, leaving them cracked, curled, and missing. Tile roofs can easily handle the extreme heat and humidity in Florida, so they are a long-term choice.

Tile Roofing Vs. Metal Roofing in Nokomis:

Even though metal roofing is strong, debris flying around during storms can dent the sleek finish of the roof. When denting occurs, the metal roof can rust or corrode over time. One of the largest complaints we get from many of our customers, in Nokomis, Venice, Sarasota, etc. (who have a metal roof) is the loud banging sound it makes when it rains really hard… Especially during the summer rainy season.

2. Resistance to hurricanes?

We’ve all become way too familiar with hurricanes in southwest Florida the past few years. Roofing tiles, especially clay and concrete tiles, are made to stay in place even when the wind is strong. Strong winds can’t easily lift or damage tile. While they are heavy, they are also glued and nailed down, which means they are double fastened. This makes it much more secure and safer during storms. Tile roofs that are installed correctly can survive wind speeds of up to 150 mph, which is important for people who live in areas like Nokomis, Venice, or Sarasota.

Metal roofs can also stand up to high winds, but panels can still come loose, especially if they aren’t put on correctly. Shingle covering is by far the least hurricane-proof because strong winds can easily tear it up, leaving your entire home and family open to more damage.

3. Which material is most energy efficient?

Because Florida is so hot in the summer, air conditioning is often on all the time, which drives up energy bills. Tile roofing material naturally absorbs the sun’s rays, which in turn naturally helps to keep your home cooler. The thick, heavy tiles help keep your home at a comfortable temperature, so you won’t have to use as much air conditioning. In Southwest Florida, when we start to get the sweltering heat, a tile roof can save you a lot of money on your energy bill over time.

Metal roofing, on the other hand tends to make your home warmer, as the sun penetrates right through it. Of course, this generally leads to higher cooling costs. Metal roofing does reflect light too, but they don’t insulate heat like tile does. Shingles tend to absorb heat too, but with their lack of durability against the sun, they’re not as energy efficient in the long run.

4. Longevity and maintenance

Tile roofing installed correctly can last more than 100 years, so it’s a clear winner for the long run. You’re probably thinking, I’m not going to live in my house for 100 years, and you’re probably right. But when you sell your home, the value tends to be higher because the roof is far from needing to be replaced. Tile roofs don’t need much upkeep—just cleaning and checking them every so often. Tile doesn’t rust or rot like other types of roofs do because it’s naturally resistant to the weather.

Most metal roofs last between 40 and 70 years, but they need more upkeep to make sure there is no rust or lose panels. Shingle roofs need to be replaced every 15 to 25 years, which is the smallest amount of time. Shingles need more frequent maintenance because they can crack, curl, and lose their flakes, especially in Florida’s hot and humid weather.

5. Curb Appeal

There are many beautiful homes in Southwest Florida. A roof can really change how a house looks, especially to prospective buyers in the future. Tile roofs have a classic beauty, and accentuate so many different building styles, from Mediterranean and Spanish Revival to modern homes near sea water. Tile roofs come in many styles and colors, so they can match any home and give your home the appeal and security your home needs!

Metal roofs are sleek and modern, but one strong storm and you may be looking at dents for years. Of course, shingles can look nice, too, but in our Florida climate, it doesn’t take long before they start to fade or crack. Tile roofs, on the other hand, stay beautiful and elegant for decades, which increases the value of your home through curb appeal, and durability for the next potential home owner.

6. Good for the environment

If you care about the environment, tile flooring is a good choice for you. Because they are made from natural materials like clay and concrete, tile roofs don’t harm the earth much and can be recycled when they’re done. Tile roofing also makes it less necessary to use air conditioning, which saves energy and lowers your carbon footprint.

Metal roofs can also be recycled, but the process of making it uses more energy. Shingles, on the other hand, are made from goods that come from oil, so they are not as eco-friendly as tile. They also use more energy to manufacture and have a bigger effect on climate change, seeing as they are not as energy-efficient.

7. Cost Factors to Think About

Tile roofing usually costs slightly more than metal or shingle roofing, but it ends up being the most cost-effective choice in the long run. Tile roofs last a lot longer (up to 100 years or more), you spend less on energy bills because it better protects your home from the suns temperature, and should you sell your home in the future you’re able to sell at a higher price. Because they don’t need much upkeep, tile roofs save people money in the long run on fixes and replacements.

Metal roofs usually last between 40 and 70 years, but they don’t last as long or save as much energy as tile roofs. Shingle roofs are cheaper upfront, but they need to be fixed and replaced more often and have the highest rate of denials hurricane damage, so they are the least cost-effective choice in the long run.

Conclusion

It’s been clear to us for some time that tile roofing is the future for Florida homeowners. With so many of our customers getting their insurance claims denied after the recent hurricanes, we figured we needed to go a step further to help protect our customers. We’ve been doing tile, metal and shingle roofs for years, but every year tile roofing has slowly become the best protection for our customers. Tile roofing isn’t for every home, but if you give us a call today, we will help you figure out the best roof for your home and your family. When we put a customer’s roof on, that customer is now apart of our family. And we take care of our family! Call today!