Residential Roofing St. Augustine, FL

What are the 4 things to consider when designing a roof?

How to choose a roof:

Appearance. If you’re sticking to a particular design theme, many of the decisions about your roof’s appearance will be simplified. …

Affordability. Some roofing materials are more expensive than others. …
Energy efficiency. …
Local requirements and climate. …

Choosing the right type of roof for a new house or retrofitting, can be more difficult than most people could imagine. There are so many choices.

Which one is right for you?

Residential roofs can be made of asphalt, ceramic tile, slate, wood, and metal. Asphalt shingle is the most common and generally least expensive roofing material.

Here are the most common types of roofing:

Asphalt shingles
“The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install,” states HGTV.

These shingles are the most popular with roofers and homeowners, as they are durable and relatively inexpensive. Other benefits include the wide variety of colors and styles, ease of installation and suitability for a wide range of temperatures. Asphalt shingles also provide reliable waterproofing.

In Florida, Asphalt shingle roofs last 15 to 20 years with the intense sunlight and temperature extremes. Dark asphalt shingles are prone to fading and tend to exhibit inconsistencies in color. Algae can cause black marks on a roof or you can look for an algae-resistant shingle which contains copper granules that can help prevent new growth.

Ceramic roofing tiles
If you are looking for a lot of character in your home, ceramic roof tiles might be the way to go and they are generally durable. Tiles are resistant to fading and are fireproof. Quality tiles should last 50 to 70 years.

In the US, tile roofs are most commonly seen on homes that borrow elements from Spanish architecture. The tiles hang in parallel rows, overlapping to keep out rainwater. Disadvantages to ceramic roofing tiles include their unsuitability for climates with fluctuating weather. Ceramic tiles are prone to erosion under these conditions. While the tiles are durable, they are also fragile. High winds can damage them, as will walking on the tiles.

Slate roof shingles
If you are looking for a sophisticated roofing material for an upscale home, slate may be the answer. The advantages are the natural appearance, fire resistance, invulnerability to rot, ease of maintenance and an expected life of 100 years. Slate is available in a variety of colors and styles.

Slate tiles come with a disadvantage due to their weight and cost, and the high degree of expertise needed for installation. Slate tiles are easily broken underfoot, complicating gutter cleaning and rooftop maintenance.

Wood shakes and cedar shingles
“Cedar shake roofs has many benefits. They’re reliable in any climate, but they’re ideal for hot and sunny areas because they resist UV damage. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, so they’re great for people who live in areas that experience strong thunderstorms or hurricanes. Several manufacturers of cedar shingles apply a fire-resistant coating for extra safety” says Angieslist.

Wood shake shingles are a green-friendly roofing choice. This is especially true if they are constructed from recycled wood or harvested in an environmentally sound way. Wood shakes have been listed as a preferred environmental choice because these materials produce minimal impact on the quality of water runoff and are stable with a useful life of around 30 years or more, making them a solid investment in environmental responsibility for many homeowners.

If you are looking to cut down your energy expenses, a cedar roof is a great choice. Cedar is a natural insulator and can reduce your heating and cooling costs. Cedar roofs are difficult to install, so make sure to hire a roofing company with related experience. A cedar roof is more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof, but its durability and energy efficiency make it worth the cost.

Metal roofing
Metal roofs are becoming increasingly viable, as metal shingles are low maintenance, lightweight and more environmentally friendly. However, installation can be tricky and requires a contractor with experience installing a metal roof.

As a metal roof starts to lose its shine, repainting is an option as long as the roof’s structural integrity is in good shape. It usually costs less to repaint a metal roof than to replace it.

Arc Roofing of St. Augustine, FL offers high quality commercial and residential roofing installation, repair and maintenance. Using high quality materials from brands you know and trust, you can count on our team of professionals to take great care of both you and your home or office, from the beginning of the project until everything is cleaned up and we’re off your property.

We aim to make your roofing experience as stress-free and efficient as possible. The team at Arc Roofing continually receives training and education to improve our high standards, meaning we’re always on the cutting edge of roofing methodology and technology.

Whether you’re building a new home and require roof installation, or if you are re-roofing or need roof repair, count on Arc Roofing for great roofing services in St. Augustine and the surrounding communities.