Shingle Roofing in Central Florida

Why most Central Florida homes are shingle

Architectural shingle costs the least to install of the main residential roofing materials and is the quickest to repair after a storm, because matching replacement shingles are easy to source. It works on almost any pitch you find on a house.

Architectural shingles are thicker than the old flat three-tab shingles and are laminated in layers, which gives them a better wind rating and the dimensional look most homeowners now want. Three-tab shingles are now uncommon on Florida re-roofs.

The dark streaks, and what stops them

The black streaks running down so many Florida roofs are not dirt or mildew. They are a type of algae that feeds on the limestone filler in shingles and thrives in humid heat, and it spreads from roof to roof.

Algae-resistant shingles have copper-bearing granules mixed into the surface. As rain runs over them, the copper keeps the algae from taking hold. In this climate, algae resistance is worth insisting on.

Pressure washing an existing shingle roof strips granules and shortens its life. If you already have streaks, a low-pressure cleaning treatment is the safer route.

What makes a shingle roof survive wind

Shingles fail in hurricanes at the edges first. Wind gets under the first course at the eave or along a rake, lifts it, and peels the roof back from there. So the edges get extra attention: starter strips with adhesive, drip edge fastened properly, and shingles nailed to the manufacturer’s high-wind pattern rather than the minimum.

Nail placement matters as much as nail count. A nail driven too high misses the layer beneath and holds only half the shingle. It is invisible once the roof is done, which is why it is worth asking how a crew nails.

Heat, attics and shingle life

Shingles age faster when the attic below them cooks. Balanced ventilation, with air coming in low at the soffits and leaving high at the ridge, pulls heat out of the attic and keeps the deck drier. Blocked soffit vents are common in older homes, and we check them before a new roof goes on.

Common questions