Everyone knows asphalt shingles. They’re affordable, come in a variety of styles, and are the most popular roofing material across North America. In Florida, we also associate these shingles with wind damage since it’s normal to find asphalt shingles scattered in the yard after a storm. But with luxury shingles, you can enjoy better weather protection and enhanced aesthetics for your roof.
We’re PITCH Roofing, your local shingle roofing partners. And today we want to cover all the great things that luxury asphalt shingles can do for your roof. This includes looking at luxury shingle protective features, curb appeal, and longevity. But first, let’s cover the basics and discuss what luxury shingles are and what makes them so special!
What Are Luxury Asphalt Shingles?
Luxury shingles (also called premium or designer shingles) are made of the same materials as other asphalt shingles: a fiberglass base board, asphalt, and stone granules. This doesn’t mean that luxury shingles are like other types of shingles, though. For one thing, they’re made up of much thicker layers of asphalt. This ensures that they’re much hardier and better able to resist Florida’s severe weather patterns.
That isn’t the most notable thing about luxury shingles, though. The first think that homeowners notice about these roofs is that they look very different from architectural asphalt shingles. That’s because luxury shingles mimic the look of slate tile. They can do this thanks to their thicker consistency, which creates the smooth, raised texture of slate.
The difference this makes is more than skin deep. Having a roof that looks like slate tiles isn’t just something to brag about; it can considerably increase the value of your home. Curb appeal is worth a lot when selling a home, which is why homeowners choose luxury shingles both for the great, long-term protection and the favorable return on their investment.
This covers the basics of asphalt shingles. But if you’re considering these shingles for your next roof replacement, you’ve probably got more questions. Let’s start answering them by discussing how luxury shingles perform in Florida!
How Do Luxury Shingles Perform in Florida?
When you make a major investment in your home with a roof replacement, you want to pay for a high-quality roof. And with luxury shingles, that’s exactly what you’ll get. As we mentioned, these shingles are built using thick layers of asphalt. And because of this thicker composition, luxury shingles are much more durable than other shingle products on the market.
As we’ve established, luxury shingles have much higher wind resistance than other shingles. But how much higher? Well, old-school 3-tab shingles can only withstand winds up to 70 mph. Architectural shingles improved on this and are rated for winds up to 110 mph, but with proper installation, luxury shingles can resist winds up to 130 mph. This means that these dupes for slate shingles can withstand even a major hurricane!
Wind resistance isn’t the only leg up that luxury asphalt shingles offer. Because of their thicker layers of asphalt, they’re much more water-resistant than other types of shingles. As a result, you won’t have to worry about water eating its way through your shingles! This, on top of their coating of UV-resistant stone granules, makes luxury shingles a fantastic option for homeowners who want a strong, durable roofing system.
What does all of this great protection come to? Well, traditional architectural shingles last for 20-25 years in Florida. While this isn’t bad, it’s considerably less than the 40 years of protection that you can get on average with luxury asphalt shingles. And with a bit of luck and proper maintenance, your luxury shingle roof could last for up to 50 years.
How Much Do Premium Shingles Cost in Florida?
While it’s great to know how your new roof will look and perform, we understand that price is always going to be an important factor in planning your roof replacement. The bad news is that luxury shingles are, as you might expect, significantly more expensive than other asphalt shingle options. The good news, though, is that they’re much more affordable than a new slate roof.
In Florida, a new slate roof can run you anywhere from $10 to $30 per square foot. While luxury shingles are expensive for a shingle product, they have much more reasonable costs of $8 to $15 per square foot. In other words, a luxury shingle roof could be literally half the price of a slate roof!
Many homeowners don’t know how many square feet their roofs are, so these numbers can be a little difficult to apply to your situation. So let’s put them into context. In Florida, the average roof is around 1,700 square feet. In other words, a luxury shingle roof costs between $13,600 and $25,500. This makes these roofs especially expensive by shingle standards, but closer to average when compared to other roofing materials in Florida.
We know that not everyone has the budget for a new roof, even when they need one. That’s why we offer 0% interest roof replacement financing. With this great way to pay off your roof on your schedule, there’s no barrier between you and a high-quality luxury shingle roof!
Get a Free Estimate for Your New Luxury Shingle Roof
Now that you’ve seen the many benefits of luxury shingles in Florida, the only thing left to do is decide if this roofing material is right for you. While the above numbers tell you how much luxury shingles cost, they don’t tell you how much they’ll cost for your unique roof. Roof replacement costs vary based on factors like location and your roof’s hills and valleys. To account for those things, the only thing to do is get a free roofing quote.
For your free, no-obligation estimate from PITCH Roofing, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. We’ll give your roof a quick inspection, discuss your options with you, and then prepare a personalized quote that covers the full scope of your shingle roof replacement. Because with roofing done right, there are no headaches or guesswork!
If you’re in the market for a new roof, reach out to the seasoned professionals at PITCH Roofing. We’re made up of real, local Floridians who live and work in your community. That means we understand your concerns and know how to help. Give us a chance to earn your business, and we’ll make sure you’re glad you chose PITCH!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
