Roofing materials
Metal vs Shingle Roof in Florida: Which Fits Your Home
This is the most common question we hear from homeowners around Tallahassee: should I go with metal or shingles? Both are good roofs when they are installed right. The better question is which one fits your home, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Here is how we walk people through it.
How each one handles North Florida weather
Heat and humidity are the daily reality here, and both materials handle them differently. Metal reflects more of the sun, which can help a hot attic. Quality architectural shingles are built for this climate too, but they absorb more heat and that shows up over time in how they age.
In storms, a properly installed standing seam metal roof has excellent wind resistance and sheds branches and debris well. Architectural shingles hold up well too, but individual shingles can lift or tear in a bad storm, which usually means a repair visit rather than a bigger problem.
Lifespan and what maintenance really looks like
Metal roofs generally outlast shingle roofs by a wide margin, and that is the main argument for the higher up-front cost. A shingle roof will likely need replacement sooner, and it asks a bit more of you along the way: keeping valleys clear, watching for lifted tabs, checking after storms.
Metal is not maintenance free either. Exposed fastener systems need screws checked and replaced over time. Standing seam needs very little, but you still want gutters clear and overhanging branches trimmed back, the same as any roof in Leon County.
Cost, looks and the neighborhood factor
Shingles cost less up front, full stop. If the budget is tight or you may sell in a few years, a good architectural shingle roof is a solid choice and buyers are comfortable with it. Metal costs more to install but you may never buy another roof.
Looks are personal, but consider the street around you. In some Tallahassee neighborhoods metal fits right in, and in others a dimensional shingle looks more at home. Both come in enough colors to work with almost any house.
How we help you decide
When we come out for a free estimate, we look at the roof structure, the pitch, the ventilation and the condition of what is there now. Some roofs are great candidates for either material. Others point clearly one way, like low slope sections that argue against shingles.
We install both, so we have no reason to push you toward one. If you tell us how long you plan to stay in the home and what the budget looks like, we will give you a straight answer on which one makes sense for you.
Looking for Architectural Asphalt Shingles in Tallahassee, FL? Learn more about our Architectural Asphalt Shingles service or get in touch directly.
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