What you should know about replacing your shingle roof

For most people, the roof is an afterthought — that is until it starts to leak. Only then we realize how critical that part of our home’s exterior really is. Besides keeping the home dry, the roof contributes greatly to the look of the house. When choosing roofing material, it may pay to consider all of the options. In Florida especially, Shingle Roofs are the most common type of roofs we here at Florida Southern Roofing install. Shingle Roofs are popular for the budget conscious and can really look great, and protect well when quality materials are installed by a licensed roofing contractor. While there is many roofing types, slate, composite, metal, clay tile, wood shakes, and many many more, today we are going to focus on shingle roofs and what you should know about replacing yours.

Hiring a Shingle Roofing Contractor

First and foremost, you should spend a great deal of time hiring the right roofing contractor. Check the better business bureau, check online reviews, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Do your homework on your roofing contractor. Investing in a new roof is not a small expense and quality installation is the key to preventing problems down the road. Make sure that your contractor is licensed and insured. Don’t just take their word for it either. Ask for their license number and verify!

Florida Southern Roofing is proud to be a licensed Sarasota roofing contractor and you can verify our license #CCC-054787 anytime.

shingle roof problems

When it’s Time to Replace Your Shingle Roof

As the picture above shows, there are many indicators that it may be time to replace your shingle roof. Dark spots? Signs of water damage? Missing Shingles? While repairs may be possible, when coupled with age (12+ years) this can be a clear cut sign that it’s time to replace your shingle roof. Delaying the process can lead to even bigger problems and costly repairs to your home, both inside and out. Repairing an old falling apart shingle roof is just a band-aid, and it’s detrimental to your homes integrity to make sure the roof is sound. Consult with a knowledgeable roofing contractor about the condition of roof, and get a full inspection for life expectancy and any issues that roof may have. Most insurers will require a detailed roofing inspection at one point or another and may require a roof condition certification form from a licensed roofing contractor. If your roof has reached its maximum useful life, homeowners insurance may lapse until you replace. Be ahead of the game and have a licensed roofer come to your home and give you a detailed roof inspection so you know where you stand ahead of time.

There’s more than one type of shingle roof?

Like any roofing material, there is different options to choose from when installing a new shingle roof on your home. There are two types of shingles to choose from: Architectural and your traditional 3 tab. Architectural shingles (you may also hear them referred to as dimensional) are a great way to upgrade the look of your home. Not just an upgrade to the look of your home, the architectural shingle is a good choice because they’re thicker, which means they’re are heavier. What does this mean for you? Especially in Florida with the chance of hurricanes threatening and damaging storms pretty much year round, they’re a great choice for your homes protection. They are less likely to wear and warp like a traditional 3 tab shingle roof. 3 Tab Shingles are a great choice for the budget conscience, but have been outdated by the architectural shingle available. Discuss the options with your Sarasota roofing contractor and they will help you choose which material is right for your home.

choosing shingle roof colors

What color is best for your home?

Just when you finally choose the type of shingle you want, it’s now time to pick a color. Thankfully, roofing contractors will have a great array of shingle samples they can show you to help you choose the right color roof for your home. Consider choosing a lighter colored roof when replacing shingles in Florida as it’s generally hot most of the year, the lighter colored shingles will decrease energy consumption and keep your house cooler. Go through the color samples with your roofing contractor, compare whats in your neighborhood, and even ask your roofing contractor for pictures of prior jobs with the colors you like to get an idea what it looks like in real life.

Warranties

Your roofing contractor should have given you information about the warranties available on your new shingle roof at time of contract signing. Make sure that once your new roof is installed that you receive appropriate information about your roofing warranty. This should include both a manufacturers warranty and a labor warranty from the roofing contractor. Discuss with the project manager any questions you have now.