Asphalt shingles have been the most popular roofing material in North America for over a century. And even in Florida, where we have unique concerns like hurricanes and extreme humidity, asphalt shingles dominate the roofing industry. But why are asphalt shingles so popular in Florida?
There are many factors that contribute to the popularity of asphalt shingles. We should know — we’re PITCH Roofing, your veteran Florida roofing contractors. Keep reading for our breakdown of why people love asphalt shingles, from their performance to their price!
Why Are Asphalt Shingles So Popular in Florida?
Florida has unique roofing concerns. Unlike northern states, we don’t generally have to worry about ice or snow damaging our roofs. Instead, our roofs have to handle high winds, heavy rain, humidity, and the occasional hail storm.
Asphalt shingles have proven to perform well in all of these areas and more. Let’s talk about the five biggest ways that asphalt shingles have earned their great reputation in Florida!
Durability and Longevity
In Florida, everyone’s biggest priority is getting a roof that lasts. And with their unique composition of fiberglass, asphalt coating, and protective stone granules, asphalt shingles can handle the worst that the Sunshine State has to offer.
Their asphalt coating prevents water from penetrating your shingles and ruining them. And when you invest in quality architectural shingles, you can count on wind resistance of up to 130 mph. This won’t prevent shingle uplift during major hurricanes, of course. However, you’ll likely only lose a small number of shingles, and replacing them is both a quick and cheap repair.
On average, asphalt shingles last for 20 to 25 years in Florida. While this isn’t the longest possible lifespan for a roof, it’s nothing to sneeze at. And you can count on quality protection throughout your roof’s life when you choose reliable asphalt shingle roofers. For example, as Owens Corning Preferred Contractors, we can offer a 10-year workmanship warranty and a lifetime material warranty. This means that even if your roof is damaged, you’ll still have coverage thanks to the many great shingle roofing warranties available! This comprehensive protection goes a long way in making asphalt shingles so popular.
Diverse Color and Style Options
Why are asphalt shingles so popular? Well, their style versatility has a lot to do with it. For one thing, architectural shingles are famous for their great aesthetics. Thanks to their layered design and unique shading, they can create the appearance of texture and depth on your roof, which goes a long way in creating visual interest.
In addition to their excellent aesthetics, asphalt shingles come in nearly any color you could imagine. So no matter what style you’re going for with your shingle roof replacement, you’ll be able to find a perfect shingle color to match. That said, neutral colors like browns and greys are more abundant, so you may have to pay a little extra for especially bold colors.
Easy to Sell
Florida has one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, especially in and around Tampa Bay. If you’re a homeowner who plans to sell one day, asphalt shingles are an excellent choice. Why? Because these tried and true roofing materials make it simple and easy to sell your home. No wonder why asphalt shingles are so popular!
Most people are familiar with asphalt shingle roofing. So while a metal roof could raise some concerns for homeowners who aren’t familiar with this roofing option, you can count on any potential buyers being familiar with shingle roofs. And when you’re trying to sell your home, having a new, reliable roof makes a world of difference.
Florida-Proof Roofing
Technically speaking, no roof is 100% “Florida-proof.” But asphalt shingles come pretty close. While they are vulnerable to wind uplift during severe storms, these shingles can handle many of Florida’s biggest roof killers without a problem.
Some of the most common environmental factors that shingle roofs handle well include:
- Impact Damage: Asphalt and stone granules create a strong, protective base. As a result, you can count on your asphalt shingle roof to easily handle hail and storm debris.
- Mold: Mold and algae can grow on Florida roofs year-round. But thanks to advancements in roofing technology, asphalt shingles are protected. This is thanks to time-released copper in your shingle that prevents mold development over the years.
- UV Rays: The Florida sun is no joke. But the glaze on shingles’ stone granules can help reflect UV rays away from your home, protecting both the shingle and your energy bill. This is especially effective with lighter-colored shingles, which absorb less heat.
- High Winds: As we’ve established, shingles can be removed by extremely high winds. But with wind ratings as high as 130 mph, you can count on your asphalt shingles to stay put even through Category 3 hurricanes. This makes them a reliable roofing material, even in hurricane-prone Florida!
Handling Florida’s infamous climate so well is part of what makes asphalt shingles so popular in the Sunshine State. While no roof can go on forever without being damaged, asphalt shingles excel at keeping the Florida elements at bay for decades to come.
Low-Cost Roofing
In addition to their durability and style options, the low cost of asphalt shingles is a big contributor to why asphalt shingles are so popular. It makes sense — in addition to having low manufacturing costs, asphalt shingles are quick and easy to install. After all, it’s not time-consuming to nail shingles onto your roof. So how much can you expect to pay for an asphalt shingle roof?
Prices vary, and they always depend on what type of asphalt shingles you choose. For our purposes, we’ll use architectural shingles as an example, since they’re the most popular type of shingle. These shingles cost around seven dollars per square foot. So on a 2,000-square-foot roof, you can expect to pay roughly $14,000 for an asphalt shingle roof replacement.
This isn’t a hard and fast number, though. Your final price will depend on which brand of asphalt shingles you choose, your roof’s unique dimensions, and who you pick to install your roof. So while you can count on asphalt shingles being affordable, you’ll need to start collecting estimates to determine exactly how much your asphalt shingle roof will cost.
Get a Free Asphalt Shingle Roofing Estimate
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why asphalt shingles are so popular in Florida. If you, like many Floridians, are considering getting an asphalt shingle roof, we’re just the roofing professionals to help. As veteran Florida roofers who have been recognized by one of the titans of shingle roofing, we’re your go-to local roofing partners.
Get started with Pitch by getting your free, no-obligation roofing estimate. All you have to do is call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your free roofing estimate. We’ll take it from there and prepare you with a detailed, thorough roofing estimate that covers every aspect of your shingle roof replacement, from that first estimate to the final inspection.
Why are asphalt shingles so popular in Florida? There’s no long answer, just a history of reliability and proven results that spans more than a century. If you’re interested in this classic roofing option, reach out to Pitch today and give us the chance to earn your business!
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.
