How Long Do Roof Shingles Last In Florida

by | Mar 1, 2020 | Orlando | 0 comments

Picking the right roof shingles for your roof in Florida is easier said than done. Most homeowners will choose shingles that will go hand-in-hand in with their home’s architectural design. In reality, roof shingles are designed to protect your home from flowing rainwater, high winds, and hailstorms. Right off the bat, if you’re going to choose the right shingles for your roof, it’s best to consider function over form first. 

When you’re in Florida, the weather is different from the other states; you’re battling against high winds, heavy rainfall and high levels of humidity. Installing or replacing your roof can be a big investment. You’re spending thousands of dollars on a new set of materials and labor costs. If this is the case, then it’s recommended that you do some research first on the lifespan of shingles. 

But before we get into how we can ensure that our shingles are properly installed here in Florida, we have to look into factors that we have to weigh in and what are some preparations that we have to do first. 

Preparations And Factors To Consider

Since Florida is more humid and has warmer weather than the other states, it’s only logical to start weighing in on different external factors. After all, you want to make sure that your roof can adapt to the environment that it’s situated in. 

Humidity

Unlike other states that have drier and colder weather, Florida is infamous for having a humid climate. Since it’s humid, water molecules and moisture can easily get trapped on your roof’s interior. We all know that if moisture is trapped on your roof, this could spell danger in the form of molds, mildews, and mosses. Water and Ice protection in the form of felt paper can help mitigate the risk of moisture getting trapped on your roof and the formation of fungal growths.

It’s recommended to always place underlayments below your shingles to avoid both damages from moisture and water.  If you do see some dark stains on your ceilings or on your roof’s supporting beams, this is a sign that mildew, mosses, and other organic growths might form in a couple of months. If this is the case, contact your roofing contractor as soon as possible. 

Molds and mildews could significantly lower the lifespan of your roof since they extract the minerals that help keep your roof durable and long-lasting. 

Impact Resistance 

Although not as prevalent or as devastating as hailstorms in Texas, Florida still gets a good amount of hailstorms each year and has caused millions of dollars worth of damages to homes in our state. Most roofing materials like asphalt shingles or architectural shingles are vulnerable to the effects of hailstorms. Once hailstorms do hit your shingles, they will break, valley, or crack which can often lead to water leaks and dents.

Most roofing contractors would suggest that you get impact-resistant shingles if you are situated in areas that are prone to hailstorms. If you’re going to go to your local builder’s depot, you’ll find that there are different classes of impact-resistant shingles. It’s recommended that you find those that are class 4 and have the UL 2218 standard since these are guaranteed to protect your roof and your home from hailstorms.

Having impact-resistant materials can help extend the lifespan of your roof and make sure that you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on repairs or even a roof replacement. 

Roofing Materials 

Ultimately, even if the humidity, the weather, or even hailstorms will affect the lifespan of your roof, this will all depend on the roofing materials that you’re using. Certain roof shingles have unique characteristics than other shingles. Since each roof shingle is unique in its own way, the lifespan for each type of roof shingle is also different. 

Naturally, the higher the quality of the shingles, the longer it will last. One good way of telling that a set of shingles will last longer is if the warranty’s coverage time is directly proportionate to the number of years that your material will last. A warranty that lasts a good amount of time means that the manufacturers are confident that their product will last a long time. 

At the end of the day, the lifespan of your shingles is best determined by what material you’re going to be using. On average, roof shingles such as asphalt shingles have a lifespan of 15 – 20 years under the right conditions. There are roofing materials like architectural shingles that have a life expectancy of around 25 – 35 years. 

We have to also take into account several different factors like the weather and how your roof will fair well to Florida’s humidity and the occasional hailstorms. Having the right set of materials can mitigate damages from these natural phenomena. 

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