Across the Sunshine State, homeowners are making the decision to upgrade their roofs. And with strong hurricanes forecasted to become more frequent in the coming years, that’s an excellent choice. But how do you choose between a metal vs. tile roof to protect your home or commercial property?
PITCH Roofing has a combined 60 years of experience installing metal and tile roofs in Florida. That makes us the perfect local experts to help you decide which roof is right for you! Keep reading for our complete guide to picking the best roof for hurricane-proofing your property.
Choosing a Metal vs. Tile Roof in Florida
From the start, we want to be clear that a metal roof is not inherently better than a tile roof, nor is the opposite true. Both metal and tile roofs are great; the trick is that, as the property owner, you have to decide which one is a better fit for your tastes and your structure. So rather than telling you which material is best, we’re going to see how they stack up side by side in a variety of different areas.
With that said, let’s take a look at the essential information you need to know about metal and tile roofing!
Durability
When trying to get ready for hurricane season with a new roof, durability is arguably the biggest factor. So do metal and tile roofs compare when it comes to withstanding the Florida elements?
Both metal and tile roofs do a great job keeping water out of your roofing system. Each of these roofs is carefully designed to move water off your roof. And thanks to their respective water-resistant underlayments, you don’t have to worry about water getting into your roof during a storm.
Wind resistance is equally important, and again, both metal and tile perform well in this area. Metal roofs can resist winds up to 140 mph, while tile roof wind resistances range from 150 to 180 mph depending on whether you use clay or concrete tiles. All of these numbers are great and will be enough to protect your home, but if we’re comparing a metal vs. tile roof, then tile roofs do have slightly better wind resistance.
Finally, humidity is a big factor in how your roof will age in Florida. Tile roofs are a Florida staple, so it’s no surprise that they do a fantastic job of withstanding high humidity year-round. Conversely, many homeowners expect metal roofs to rust easily. But with rust-resistant Galvalume coatings, modern metal roofs are at minimal risk of rust, although they will usually show signs of corrosion as they near the end of their lifespans.
Longevity
When you buy a new roof, you expect it to last. And the good news is whether you get a metal or tile roof, you can expect your roof to last a long time. But we’re looking to compare these two roofing materials, so which one lasts longer?
For both metal and tile roofs, how long your roof lasts will depend on what type of metal or tile you get. Let’s look at how long a metal vs. tile roof lasts in Florida:
- Exposed fastener metal roofing: 20-30 years
- Hidden fastener metal roofing: 40-70 years
- Concrete roofing tiles: 50 years
- Clay roofing tiles: 50-100+ years
As you can see, there is a lot of variety in terms of how long your new roof could last. And some metal roofs do last longer than tile roofing systems. However, if we look at the numbers as a whole when comparing a metal vs. tile roof in terms of longevity, tile roofs come out on top.
Cost
Price shouldn’t be everything in a roof replacement, but we understand that cost does matter when getting a new roof. Similar to longevity, though, how much a new roof costs will depend on which type of metal or tile roof you’re considering. Let’s look at the specifics to give you an idea of your roof replacement costs with each option:
- Clay roofing tiles: $12 to $21 per square foot
- Concrete roofing tiles: $9 to $19 per square foot
- Exposed fastener metal roofing: $7 to $12 per square foot
- Hidden fastener metal roofing: $10 to $35 per square foot
It’s hard to say which material “wins” this round. On the one hand, metal roofing has the most affordable option by far. On the other, the most expensive metal roofing option can cost more than clay roofing tiles. If we had to choose a winner for this metal vs. tile roof comparison, we’d say metal roofing wins since it’s got the lowest-cost option.
An Alternative to the Metal vs. Tile Roof Debate
We’ve shown that there is a lot of variety in how metal and tile roofs perform in Florida. While they both do great across the board, there is no one “best” option. This means that you can either choose which option you personally prefer, or you can take a third path that offers the best of both worlds.
Metal roofing tiles are rapidly growing in popularity across Florida. These roofs are made using stone-coated steel, which replicates the look of tiles while retaining the strength and durability of metal roofing. This is an exposed fastener metal roofing option, which comes with all of the good and the bad of these roofing systems.
If you’re partial to the durability and cost of a metal roofing system but love the look of shingle roofs, this could be the perfect compromise. While looking at the issues as a metal vs. tile roof, it’s worth considering this third option that offers the best of both worlds!
Get a Free Estimate for a Metal or Tile Roof Replacement
Comparing a metal vs. tile roof, it’s hard to say which one comes out on top. As the property owner, only you can decide what’s right for your home or commercial structure. But no matter what roofing material you pick, you’re going to want experienced roofers to install it for you. That’s where PITCH comes in.
For your free, no-obligation roofing estimate, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. If you’re already sure which roofing material you want, you can even sign up for a fast, online-only roofing estimate! This step skips the in-person roofing inspection since we measure your roof via satellite images. No matter which method you prefer, we’ll prepare an estimate that includes all of your costs and explains the full scope of work for your roof replacement!
Hurricane season is just around the corner, so now is a great time to upgrade your roof. And at the end of the day, a metal or tile roof is gonna do a great job at protecting your property and improving curb appeal. Reach out to PITCH today to explore your options further or to get started on your roof replacement!
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.
