Shingle roofs
Architectural shingles, Florida wind ratings and current-code underlayment.
Roof types
Roof types for Central Florida homes
Quick answer
Most Central Florida homes have asphalt shingle or concrete tile roofs, metal is growing, and low-slope systems cover porches and additions. Each handles heat, rain and wind differently. Here is how they compare, and when each makes sense.
At a glance
| Shingle | Tile | Metal | Low-slope | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical life in Florida | Often around 15–20 years | Tile lasts decades; underlayment often 20–30 years | Commonly 40+ years | Varies by system, often 15–25 years |
| Upfront cost level | Lowest | Higher | Higher | Varies |
| Weight | Light | Heavy (structure must carry it) | Lightest | Light |
| Heat | Absorbs heat; lighter colors help | Air space under the tile helps | Reflective finishes help | Reflective membranes help |
| Repairs | Easy and common | Tiles break if walked on wrong | Depends on the panel type | Seams and drainage are key |
| Good fit for | Most homes; budget-conscious reroofs | Homes built for tile; long-term owners | Long-term owners; porches; storm resilience | Slopes too flat for shingles |
Tile roofs
Concrete and clay tile repair, underlayment replacement and tile reroofs.
Metal roofs
Standing seam and exposed-fastener panels for homes and porches.
Flat & low-slope
Membranes for porches, additions, Florida rooms and flat sections.
Choosing a roof type
Can I switch from shingle to tile?
Possibly, but tile is much heavier than shingle, so the roof framing has to be checked to confirm it can carry the load. That usually means an engineering review. Metal is a lighter way to get a longer-lived roof.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
Over a solid deck with underlayment, which is how residential metal is installed here, rain noise is far less than most people expect. Open-framed metal over a porch is louder.
Which roof type holds up best in a hurricane?
Any of them can perform well when installed to current Florida code with the right fasteners, underlayment and edge metal. Installation quality matters as much as the material.
How long does a roof last in Central Florida?
Heat, sun and storms shorten roof life here compared with milder climates. As a rough guide, asphalt shingle roofs often last around 15 to 20 years; concrete and clay tile lasts much longer, though the underlayment beneath the tile often needs replacing around the 20 to 30 year mark; and metal roofs commonly last 40 years or more. Ventilation, installation quality and storm exposure move those numbers a lot.
Talk to a roofer who works here
Call Roof It at (321) 352-3177 for a free estimate on a repair, a reroof or a new roof in Longwood and nearby Seminole County. You get a straight answer about what the roof needs, and a written proposal before any work starts.