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Did you know that asphalt shingles make up roughly 80% of residential roofs in America? And those numbers hold true even for sunny Florida. This is mainly because the best shingle roofs can withstand even hurricane-force winds, and they don’t break the bank with their installation costs.
So how do you get one of the best shingle roofs in Florida?
Well, a lot of that has to do with the type of shingle that you choose, in addition to a few other important factors. We’re Classic Roofing and Construction, and we’ve been installing top-quality shingle roofs in Florida for over 20 years. So let us be your local experts on how to get the best shingle roof for your home.
Choosing the Best Roofing Shingles
The quality of your roof starts with the kind of roofing material that you choose. And there are many different types of roofing shingles to choose from. Between three-tab, laminate, and luxury shingles, asphalt roofing shingles have a wide range of performance and aesthetic options available. So let’s look at which of these options can give you the best shingle roof in Florida.
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Three-Tab Shingles
Three-tab, or strip, shingles are the most affordable type of shingle in Florida. Of the different types of shingles, these are the thinnest, which leads to inferior wind and water protection when compared to other shingle options. Additionally, these shingles have a flat look, which doesn’t add much aesthetic appeal to a home.
So what are the upsides of three-tab shingles? The biggest factor in their favor is their low cost. Prices always vary, but three-tab shingles can be found for as low as $2 per square foot. This makes them by far the most affordable shingle roofing option.
However, the savings don’t last. Three-tab shingles have the shortest lifespan of any shingle at about 15-20 years. For this reason, three-tab shingles are a great option if you need an affordable shingle roof installed immediately. But if you want the best shingle roof available, then you may want to consider another shingle option.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural, or laminate, shingles are the most popular type of roofing shingle. These are also sometimes called dimensional shingles because they have unique patterning that adds dimension and depth to your roof. In this way, architectural shingles go a long way in generating visual interest for your home.
But they’re not popular just because they’re pretty. Architectural shingles are nearly twice as thick as three-tab, which makes them more resilient to the high winds and heavy rains of Florida’s storm season. As a bonus, many architectural shingles have a Class A fire rating, meaning that they’re extremely resistant to fire. All of these features come together to create a robust, protective roofing system for your home. That’s why they last 25-30 years!
And when it comes to price, architectural shingles are more expensive than three-tab, but they’re still very affordable. At roughly $5 per square foot, architectural shingles offer robust protection without requiring a large up-front investment in your roof. This makes them a great option if you’re looking for the best shingle roof in Florida.
Luxury Shingles
As the name implies, luxury shingles are a premium asphalt shingle option. Of all the types of shingles, luxury shingles have the thickest composition, which makes them the hardiest. They’re so tough, in fact, that they can resist wind, rain, and even hail. While no shingle is ever 100% storm-proof, luxury shingles can reliably resist winds of up to 130 mph. All of this durability means that luxury shingles can last up to 40 years.
But where luxury shingles really shine is in the wide range of aesthetics they offer. In many cases, homeowners choose luxury shingles to recreate the look of another luxury roofing material like clay tile or wooden shake. And often, the aesthetic results are indistinguishable from the real deal. And that can matter, because while luxury shingles are the most expensive shingle option, they’re far cheaper than other luxury roofing materials.
Luxury shingles cost $9 to $13 per square foot. And although that can seem expensive, it’s much cheaper than clay tiles, which can cost up to $25 per square foot. So if you want a shingle roof that creates a luxurious aesthetic, then these are your go-to options for the best shingle roof.
Selecting a Reliable Shingle Roof Manufacturer
After 20 years of installing and repairing shingle roofs in Florida, we’ve learned that not all shingles are created equal. And a lot of the difference in quality depends on who manufactures your shingles. So we want to tell you about two of our preferred shingle manufacturers for the best shingle roofs in Florida.
Owens Corning
Owens Corning was founded 85 years ago, and they’ve been producing high-quality shingle products ever since. And we’re not the only ones who think so. The National Safety Council recognized Owens Corning’s accomplishments in 2014 when it awarded the company with the Green Cross for Safety award. This accolade shows that Owens Corning is focused on safety—for both their team members and their customers.
Owens Corning also offers a wide range of shingle options in terms of type and color. This means that no matter what the best shingle roof is for you, Owens Corning will have an option that you’ll love. Florida is home to a lot of varied housing aesthetics, so this kind of flexibility is crucial to getting you the perfect shingle roof that you’ve been looking for.
But what we especially appreciate about Owens Corning is how they look at the full picture. Because an Owens Corning roof isn’t just shingles—it’s also the water-resistant underlayment, the roof ventilation, and the other factors that make up a complete roofing system. Owens Corning strives for quality in all parts of roofing, and that’s why they’re one of our go-to recommendations when people need the best shingle roof for their homes.
GAF
If Owens Corning’s 85 years of service are impressive, then GAF is truly remarkable. The GAF Materials Corporation was founded in 1886, although it was under the name of the Standard Paint Company at the time. This means that GAF has been working on asphalt shingle products for well over a century. And in roofing, that kind of longevity doesn’t come without the quality to back it up.
GAF is renowned for its innovation in roofing technologies. In particular, their HDZ and UHDZ asphalt shingles have received rave reviews as resilient options for homeowners looking for the best architectural shingles. And they recently even released a solar shingle option, which is a much sleeker and less obtrusive alternative to traditional solar panels.
Even after a century of providing great shingles, GAF does not rest on its laurels and instead continues to innovate and develop exciting new shingle roofing technology.
Go With Local Roofers You Can Trust
After 20 years in this business, we know that every roofer will promise that they can give you the best shingle roof. But to find the real deal, you have to look for the local roofers who are getting recommendations from other people. And that means finding a roofing company with both great reviews and professional accolades.
Luckily, Classic Roofing and Construction has both. In addition to great support from our local communities, we’re also both GAF Master Elite certified and Owens Corning Preferred Contractors. This means that we have been recognized by some of the largest shingle manufacturers as following industry best practices for both workmanship and safety. And that recognition comes with big benefits for our customers.
Specifically, we get access to the best roof shingles and the strongest warranties. This way, you can trust that your roof is protected for decades to come, both by the great products installed and by the warranties on the shingles and workmanship.
If you want to see how Classic can get you the best shingle roof, then the next step is simple. All you have to do is schedule your free roofing estimate. From there, we’ll present you with your options and make sure you get the best shingle roof for your home.
How To Pick The Best Shingle Roof – Video