How to Get the Best Shingle Roofs for Florida

Across the United States, asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material. And that’s also true for Florida homeowners. But in Florida, your shingle roof has to stand up to hurricanes, tropical storms, and extreme UV-ray exposure. So when you need a new roof, you need to be sure you’re getting one of the best shingle roofs for Florida.

We’re Classic Roofing and Construction, and we’ve been installing the best shingle roofs in Florida for over 20 years. And today, we’re sharing our insider tips on how to make sure you’re putting the best roofing material on your home. To start, let’s look at some of the general types of asphalt roofing shingles.

Shingle Options for Florida Homeowners

Regardless of the brand of roof shingles you choose, there are three main types of shingles: 3-tab, laminate, and luxury. Let’s look at how you can expect each one to perform and which ones give some of the best shingle roofs in Florida.

• 3-Tab Shingles: These asphalt shingles are thin and composed of asphalt, fiberglass, and granule coatings. Because of their thinness, these shingles typically have little resistance to high winds and heavy rains—two major issues for roofs in Florida. For this reason, 3-tab shingles rarely last longer than 15 to 20 years.
• Laminate Shingles: Also called architectural shingles, laminate shingles are about twice as thick as 3-tab shingles, which gives them greatly improved durability and resilience. This gives them lifespans of up to 25 years on average. And in addition to the performance benefits, laminate shingles are known for creating dimension and visual interest on your roof, which can increase your home’s curb appeal.
• Luxury Shingles: Luxury shingles often mimic the aesthetic of tile or wood shake. This is possible thanks to their thick composition, which also gives them unmatched protection against Florida weather and a lifespan of up to 40 years. This makes luxury shingles one of the best shingle roofs in Florida. But because luxury shingles are very expensive (sometimes double the cost of laminate shingles or more), they are not very popular.

The Best Type of Shingles for Florida Roofing

So, which of these shingles provides the best shingles roofs for Florida homeowners? Technically speaking, luxury shingles are the most durable and long-lasting shingle option for Floridians. And if you can afford their price tag, we think these can be a great option for your home.

But the truth is that luxury shingles don’t work with the budgets of most Florida homeowners. And at Classic, we don’t think that you should have to spend an arm and a leg for a quality roofing system. In fact, the most common shingle option that we see homeowners choose is laminate shingles. This makes a lot of sense when you consider laminate shingles’ durability, distinctive aesthetics, and reasonable price point of four to six dollars per square foot.

This just leaves one big question: What is the best roof shingle brand for Florida homeowners? To answer that question, we have to look at one of the leading shingle manufacturers in the state of Florida: Owens Corning.

Owens Corning Asphalt Shingles

Owens Corning was founded in 1938, and over the past 85 years, they’ve earned their reputation as one of the best asphalt shingle manufacturers. Over the years, Owen Corning has received countless awards and accolades and even partnered with NASA to develop materials for astronauts.

They’re clearly a reputable shingle manufacturer. But what do you need to know about their laminate roof options to make sure you get the best shingle roof for Florida?

Oakridge Shingles

Think of Owens Corning Oakridge shingles as your classic laminate shingle option. They have that distinctive dimensional aesthetic that adds texture to your roof, and they’re thick enough to stand up to Florida’s unpredictable weather. That’s the general idea, but let’s talk numbers.

Oakridge shingles can withstand winds of up to 110 mph. This does not mean that your roof will be destroyed by winds upwards of 110 mph, but it does mean that you may start to lose individual shingles, which will need to be replaced after the storm has passed.

In addition to high wind resistance, Oakridge shingles also offer protection against algae for up to 25 years. They accomplish this via copper granules that coat each shingle and prevent algae from growing. Not only does this keep your roof healthy and strong, but it also keeps your color vibrant and untarnished.

Finally, Oakridge shingles have a double-layer nailing zone. What does this mean? The area where the shingle is nailed into place is twice as thick as the rest of the shingle. This creates improved adhesion, making it less likely that high winds or storm debris will be able to remove your shingles.

Together, these individual features create one of the best shingle roofs for Florida homeowners. But how do Oakridge shingles compare with the TrueDefinition series?

TrueDefinition Shingles

TrueDefinition shingles are known for their strong aesthetics. Available in a wide range of vibrant colors, these are the architectural shingles that you want if curb appeal is a big priority for you, especially if you want a roof that isn’t grey, brown, or black.

TrueDefinition shingles also have great wind resistance and are able to withstand winds of up to 130 mph. This improvement on the Oakridge shingles has a lot to do with TrueDefinition’s unique SureNail technology. Owens Corning’s latest innovation features three layers of fabric that secure the nail into place and greatly lower the risk of shingle uplift or nail removal.

These laminate shingles also feature 25 years of algae protection using the same technology as Oakridge shingles. But one area where these shingles differ is in weight. TrueDefinition shingles are heftier, which makes them more resilient against storm debris that can hit your roof.

The one area where TrueDefinition shingles come second to Oakridge shingles is in price. TrueDefinition shingles are a bit more expensive, as you would expect from a higher-quality laminate shingle. But we believe that this modest price increase is worth it to have one of the best shingle roofs for Florida homeowners.

The Secret to Getting One of the Best Shingle Roofs for Florida

Everyone wants to get the best roof at the best price. And the truth is that both Oakridge and TrueDefinition shingles can give you a fantastic roof that will last for decades to come. But getting the best shingle roof for Florida isn’t just about what you put on your home. It’s also about who installs your roofing system.

At Classic, we’re proud to be Owens Corning Preferred Contractors. In addition to demonstrating that we follow and exceed industry standards for safety and workmanship, this accreditation also allows us to offer the best warranties for your new shingle roof. And just like your new shingles, these warranties will protect your roof for years to come.

Oakridge shingles are eligible for Owens Corning’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. This means that your warranty will last for as long as you own the home. But to qualify for this warranty, you must have your roof installed using an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and using additional Owens Corning products like underlayments and ridge vents.

TrueDefinition shingles, on the other hand, qualify for Owens Corning’s Platinum Protection Warranty. This protection also lasts for the length of time that you own the home, but your protection is more robust and comes with improved protection on your materials. To qualify, you must meet the same standards outlined above.

So when you’ve found the perfect shingle for your home, don’t miss out on the benefits of a great warranty. Choose Classic Roofing and Construction and get a roof installed by experienced local roofers with a proven reputation. All you have to do is schedule your free roofing estimate to start the roof replacement process!

Best Shingle Roofs for Florida, Video