Storm bands, humidity, and relentless Central Florida sun — roofs in Longwood earn their keep. Universal has been roofing Florida homes since 1993.
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All around awesome experience starting with Archie, then Rachel and then Bailey who helped a great deal and was great working with! Universal did an awesome job tieing in a flat roof with a pitched roof! The only feedback I would give is more Communication is needed with deliveries as a semi showed up to drive on a paver driveway which I would not allow. Someone needs to figure that out in advance. But otherwise very happy with Universal Roof!
My experience with Universal Roofing and Contracting was amazing. From my initial meeting with Cory Callahan to the followup calls from the office , they kept me informed of the time line when everything would happen. Very professional and hassle free. Would absolutely recommend and use them again.
Great team of very hard working guys who put on our new roof, with Anderson as the site manager. They arrived early in the morning, ready to go, they all worked long hours in the hot sun, and they still had the energy to do a thorough cleanup when the job was complete; not too long before sunset. The quality workmanship is evident. Robert, the first Universal Roofing employee I contacted, came out to review our problems and then came out to meet up with our insurance company's representative. They worked together and determined we needed a whole new roof. Along with Raquel, who was our Operations lead for organizing and scheduling, communication and availability were top notch with this company. We couldn't be happier with the results, so it's easy to say I recommend them for roofing projects.
Michael ramos,Olga and other staff along with Justin febs have been exceptional. The process was thoroughly explained, they were courteous and professional. Michael went out of his way to make sure repairs were completed. I will recommend happily.
I had an amazing experience with Universal with my recent new roof install. The project manager(Karson) briefed me on what to expect prior to the beginning of any work and material deliveries and kept me updated throughout the entire process. The crews were hard working and extremely respectful of my property and family while on site. My new roof was completed as scheduled and looks great!
After a reroof by Universal, I noticed several irregularities and contacted Damian to check on my concerns. He agreed that my concerns were well founded and sent a crew the next morning. Santiago is a true craftsman and took the necessary steps to resolve the issues.
Excellent job. We were very impressed by the timely, efficient and very professional service by Universal Roof and Contracting. Mike Ramos and his crew arrived on schedule and worked late into the evening to replace our shingles, chimney and vents due to hail damage. Mike kept us updated on every aspect of the project from start to finish, and their clean up when completed was extraordinary. The decorative design looks amazing. We are very happy and impressed with Universal Roof and Contracting and would highly recommend them.
What a great company to work with. It started with Mike who came out and gave us the estimate. He was professional and very thorough. He answered all our questions and was available anytime we needed him. We let him know that we would only be in Florida for two weeks and that we were going up to Rhode Island. He made sure we were in good hands. The office team (Raven and Olga) made sure we were updated on the progress of our job. Then we had Spencer who was the job foreman. He contacted us to introduce himself and explain what to expect with the new roof installation. He made sure that we knew everything that was going on. He continued to update us and was also available for questions. The whole team made the the process very easy for us. They sent us photos from start to finish. I would recommend this company to anyone who wants the job done right the first time. We are very pleased with the outcome.
2-23-24 Was happy with finished roof. Looks good. After clean-up of yard was excellent. Tony Contreras was the Project Mgr. Very Helpful, Friendly & Knowledgeable.
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Universal Roof & Contracting serves Longwood with every major roofing service — repair, replacement, inspections, storm response, gutters, and all four mainstream roof systems — from our Greater Orlando office. Family-owned since 1993, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and Owens Corning Platinum Preferred. This page is the whole picture in one place; every section links to the full service behind it.
Every roofing decision in Longwood traces back to three forces, and the numbers behind them show why installation quality matters here.
Strong sun breaks down shingle asphalt and fades finishes over time, so Florida roofs need regular checks.
Inland Florida trades salt for humidity: algae grows on shaded slopes, and poor attic ventilation traps heat and moisture under the roof.
Summer squall lines and the occasional named storm bring hard, wind-driven rain that finds every weak detail.
51.45"
annual rainfall at the Orlando Intl Ap station
57%
of it falls June through September
8.05"
in June alone — the peak month
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals (USW00012815)
Around Central Florida, the roofs that last aren't the ones that never take damage — they're the ones whose owners caught the damage the same season it happened.
A Longwood repair call gets a whole-roof look, not a spot patch: the damage you reported, then the surrounding field, every flashing, and every penetration — because the second leak is usually forming near the first. If the honest answer is a repair, that's the recommendation you get in writing.
Active water gets stopped first: tarp or seal on the spot where access allows, permanent repair scheduled right behind it, photos of both in your records.
Lifted or missing shingles
The classic after a squall line. Caught early it's a focused, inexpensive repair.
Granules in the gutters
Shingle surfaces shedding — the field is aging, and it's time to watch it.
Water marks inside
The drip point is almost never below the entry point. Finding the real path is the job.
Flashing and fastener wear
A common leak point, and one Florida weather works on early.
What actually drives a replacement quote — and how concealed damage is handled if tear-off uncovers it.
A completed Universal replacement — one to three days on most homes.
The quote you get is an itemized scope, not a number on a business card — and it's built from what your roof actually needs: tear-off depth, decking condition, the material system, and the flashing and ventilation details that decide whether a roof reaches its rated life. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, our warranty options go beyond what the standard tiers allow.
Around Central Florida, we schedule replacements ahead of storm season where the calendar allows, bundle roof-edge work when it makes financial sense, and finish most homes in one to three days — protected landscaping and a magnet-swept yard included.
Size, pitch & complexity
Cut-up roofs with dormers and valleys take longer than simple gables — and price accordingly.
Tear-off & decking
How many layers come up, and what the decking looks like once exposed. You approve anything it reveals.
The material system
Shingle, metal, tile, or slate — specified for Florida exposure, not upsold.
Flashing & ventilation
The details that separate a code-minimum job from one that reaches its rated life.
Every Longwood replacement starts with the free inspection.
In Longwood we recommend checking your roof twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after any major storm. Our professional inspection is free, with a written report you keep either way.
Field & fasteners
Wear, granule loss, and fastener condition across the whole covering.
Flashing & penetrations
Common leak points, so we check every boot, valley, and transition.
The roof edge
Soffit, fascia, and gutters for rot, separation, and pest entry.
The attic side
Moisture staining, ventilation problems, and daylight where there shouldn't be any.
What you get is a documented condition file: photos, findings, remaining-life assessment, in writing, free. We built the process for homeowners across Central Florida who want evidence instead of sales pressure — many inspections end with a clean bill and a watch list, and the report belongs to you either way.
Being inland doesn't excuse a roof in Longwood. Irma crossed the middle of the state as a hurricane, and Milton brought hurricane-force gusts to Central Florida. After it passes, a five-minute ground check tells you whether to call.
01 Scan from the ground
Lifted or missing shingles across the field, sagging lines at ridge and edges.
02 Check the gutters
Granule wash-out after a storm means the surface took a beating.
03 Walk the yard
Blown-off material in the grass is the roof telling you where to look.
04 Look up inside
Ceilings and closet corners: small openings let water reach the decking.
05 Note the date and call
Photograph what you can see safely; we put findings in writing with photos.
Irma
crossed Central Florida as a hurricane; minor to moderate damage to many structures, widespread tree damage (NOAA/NHC TCR AL112017)
Milton
hurricane-force gusts in Central Florida near the track; 14.83" of rain recorded near Orlando (NOAA/NHC TCR AL142024)
Storm response here works in two speeds: immediate protection (tarps and temporary seals, same visit where access allows) and documented assessment (photographs, findings, and repair scope in writing). No scare tactics, no inflated damage lists. We have been roofing in Florida since 1993.
Asphalt shingle is the default on many Longwood homes, but the default isn't automatically the right answer for your house.
69.4% of occupied homes in Longwood are owner-occupied, and the median owner-occupied home value is $354,300 (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2020–2024). Ours is the math of protecting that investment: the right system, installed to specification, maintained on a schedule.
We install every mainstream system — shingle, metal, tile, and flat — so the recommendation follows your house and budget, not whichever material a contractor happens to sell. The full comparison is below.
The house & neighborhood
Age, style, and what the street is built around — a roof has to belong where it lives.
Your ownership horizon
Selling in five years and staying thirty produce different right answers.
Budget, now vs. 30 years
Upfront cost against lifetime cost — repairs, energy, and how many more roofs you'll buy.
Installation quality
The same materials last longer or fail early depending on underlayment, ventilation, and flashing work.
Not sure which of these your roof needs?
The free inspection answers it with photos and a written report.
A commercial roof in Longwood protects inventory, equipment, and people, and it is built under the Florida Building Code, rated among the strongest of the hurricane-coast states by IBHS.
Commercial decisions in Longwood come down to decades-math: purchase price against energy costs, storm resilience, and maintenance across the building's life. We'll show the comparison for your specific building rather than defaulting to whichever membrane is on the truck.
Then maintenance decides everything: annual and post-storm inspections, drains kept clear, membrane and flashing repairs done promptly. Our plans put all of it on a documented schedule so the roof's history is always current and provable.
The 25% rule
If more than 25% of a roof section is repaired or replaced within 12 months, the whole section must meet current code, unless the roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later.
Licensing & permits
Commercial roof repairs and installations require a Florida-licensed contractor, and most need a permit from the local building department.
System choice
TPO for energy efficiency; metal for hurricane resistance and lifespan; modified bitumen where the deck calls for it.
Maintenance cadence
Annual and post-storm inspections, clear drains, prompt membrane repairs — where commercial roofs are won or lost.
The roof edge is a common starting point for water damage in Longwood, and it can fail quietly for years before it shows.
Fix the contained stuff, replace the far-gone stuff, and bundle edge work with any roof replacement — one mobilization instead of two. Seamless aluminum gutters carry our rainfall with the fewest joints to fail; vinyl soffit and aluminum fascia resist what the air here does to lesser materials.
Soft or spongy fascia
The material underneath is already compromised — past the repair window.
Stains on exterior walls
Water escaping the drainage path and running where it shouldn't.
Sagging, overflowing gutters
Chronic overflow usually means repairs are no longer keeping up.
Rust at the seams
Sectional gutters fail at their joints — seamless aluminum has far fewer of them.
Four systems, four honest trade-offs, installed by factory-trained crews to the manufacturer's specification.
Long service life
About 20 yrs
50+ yrs
Exclusive to Universal| System | Realistic Florida life | Wind rating (installed right) | Cost tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (standing seam) | Varies by product; ask for the warranty term | Product-specific; we show you the rating | $$$ | Longevity, storms, energy bills |
| Architectural shingle | About 20 years | Class H shingles: rated for design wind speeds up to 194 mph | $ | Value, fast storm repairs |
| Tile (clay/concrete) | Over 50 years | High, code-driven | $$$ | Permanence, the Florida look |
| Metlok (only at Universal) | 50-year limited lifetime warranty | 180+ mph tested wind rating | $$$ | Longevity, high-wind exposure |
What moves every quote regardless of material: pitch and complexity, the product tier within the material, specialist labor where tile demands it, and structural reinforcement when weight requires it. Florida law also requires insurers to offer premium credits for wind-resistant construction features — a wind mitigation inspection documents what your roof qualifies for.
Want eyes on your roof this week?
Free inspection, honest findings, zero pressure — most end with "you're fine."
Every Longwood project follows the same four steps, whether it's a gutter repair or a full replacement.
We walk the roof and attic line, photograph everything, and put findings in writing — yours to keep either way.
Exactly what's being done, with what materials, for what price — before you sign anything.
Factory-trained crews, manufacturer-spec installation, and a jobsite that gets protected and cleaned.
You inspect the finished work with us, get your warranty documentation, and keep every record from the job.
Storm damage doesn't wait for a convenient budget year — and a necessary roof shouldn't have to either.
We offer financing options for qualified homeowners, and every estimate is free and line-by-line transparent. Ask during your free inspection — no obligation either way.
Family-owned since 1993 — thousands of completed projects, and a reputation built one roof at a time.
State-licensed (CCC057165 & CBC1258484), fully insured, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor — a tier held by fewer than 1% of roofing contractors. Factory-trained installers, transparent pricing, free estimates. We also give away a free roof replacement to a local veteran every year — it's who this company has been for thirty years.
In Longwood plan on about 20 years from architectural shingle and more than 50 from clay or concrete tile with proper care, based on a National Association of Home Builders study. Metal life depends on the product, so ask for its warranty term. The installer's discipline matters more to those numbers than the brand on the wrapper.
The test is scope and remaining life: contained damage on a healthy roof gets repaired; spreading wear, leaks that keep finding new paths, or a roof in its final stretch gets a replacement conversation, because repeated patching on a failing roof adds up. Our recommendation always arrives in writing, with photos.
Three things: stay off the roof, photograph what's visible from the ground with the date, and get professional eyes up there quickly, because even small openings let water reach the decking. We run storm assessments across Seminole County with tarping available the same visit where roofs need immediate protection.
No. Florida's licensing agency says roof repairs and roof installations require a state license. Verify the license and insurance before hiring anyone. Universal Roof & Contracting is state-licensed (CCC057165 & CBC1258484) and fully insured.
Five inputs set it: size and pitch, how many layers come off, what the decking looks like underneath, which system goes on, and the detail work at flashings and ventilation. That's why quotes-by-phone are guesses. Ours start with a free inspection and arrive itemized, line by line.
Yes, genuinely: no fee, no obligation, and you keep the written report and photos either way. It's how we've introduced ourselves to Florida homeowners since 1993 — many inspections end with good news and a watch list.
One to three days for most Longwood homes, start to magnet-swept yard. Tile, steep, and cut-up roofs run longer; commercial ranges from days to weeks by size. You get a realistic window before work starts — and a heads-up if weather moves it.
Exterior work runs year-round in Florida, but fall is the sweet spot for big projects — easier on crews and materials, and it puts a sound roof over you before the next storm season instead of after it.
Nearby areas we serve
Photos, honest findings, and a written condition report — free, and yours to keep either way.
