UNIVERSALRoof & Contracting
Standing-seam metal roof panels on a Florida home
4.6/5 on Google · 1,200+ reviews online
Orlando · Tampa · Jacksonville

Types of Roofs in Florida

Five systems, five honest trade-offs. Compare them side by side on lifespan, wind rating and real installed cost — then see what each one looks like on a Florida home.

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Bryan P.

I recommend Universal because they followed through with everything they told me they would. They’re good people. Kleanthe was my job supervisor and I really appreciate him.

May 9, 2023Verified customer
Bonnie M.

Mike Emrich was our initial contact person right after Hurricane Milton. Although we were out-of-state at the time, he was sent to Tampa, and he was flooded with work, he kept in contact with us and was always quick respond. He organized that a colleague would assess our roof so that we would know the extent of the damage and if the roof was leaking or not. Next, he got us in contact with Damian Crawford who organized the scheduling and repairs. We are very pleased with Mike’s responsiveness, even late into his evening, and also with Damian and his crew. We would definitely recommend them to friends and will return when we need a full roof replacement. Honest assessment and quality work!

Nov 21, 2024Verified customer
Rafael C.

Cory Callahan was very attentive to the requirements I asked for. Sebastian Acevedo was a great Project Manager and made sure that the house received the attention and materials necessary for the installation of the roof. His team was awesome and they did an awesome job. The people in the office also coordinated everything with great attention to detail.

Apr 17, 2024Verified customer

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Florida homes wear five roofing systems: asphalt shingle, tile, metal, our exclusive Metlok interlocking metal, and low-slope membrane for flat sections and commercial buildings. They differ on lifespan, wind rating, and installed cost — but the deciding factor is usually how long you plan to own the house. Everything below is the same data we put in front of homeowners on site, laid out so you can compare it before anyone knocks on your door.

Roof systems, compared

Replacing your roof? Compare the systems first.

A replacement is the one time you get to change what's over your head — so choose it on purpose. Here's every system a Florida home can wear, side by side on lifespan, wind rating, and real installed cost.

Architectural asphalt shingle roof on a Florida home framed by palm trees at sunsetPopular choice

Asphalt Shingle in Florida

A common replacement choice in Florida, and for good reason: the lightest hit to the budget, fast to install, and available in a color for any elevation. Re-roof with Owens Corning shingles through us and the new roof can carry the Platinum Protection limited lifetime warranty: full coverage on materials for the first 50 years, and workmanship coverage that reduces after 25 years.

How it holds up here: Heat and UV are what retire a shingle roof early in this state. How long your replacement lasts comes down to two things you can't judge from the curb: how the attic breathes and how carefully it went on.

Commonly around 20 years Up to 160 mph wind warranty (OC Duration, installed to spec)
Explore asphalt shingle roofing
SystemTypical lifespanWind rating
Asphalt Shingle~20 yrsUp to 160 mph (OC Duration)
Tile50+ yrsVaries by system
MetalDecadesVaries by system
Metlok50-yr warranty180+ mph
Low-Slope / FlatSystem-dependentUplift-rated (psf)

Wind ratings are product- and installation-specific — a rating is earned by a particular system installed to spec, not by a material in general. For example, Owens Corning's Duration shingle carries a wind warranty of up to 160 mph when installed with the required Owens Corning components, and Metlok is rated 180+ mph. Ask us for the rating of the exact system we quote. For context, the Florida Building Code sets a minimum design wind speed for every address, and your permit lists the one that applies to your home. Sources: Owens Corning (TruDefinition Duration shingle) · Metlok.

Straight answers

Choosing a Roof in Florida

What is the best roof type for a Florida home?

There isn't one answer — there's the right answer for your house. Architectural asphalt shingle wins on value and is a common Florida roof. Metal is built to last for decades, and a reflective finish keeps the attic cooler. Tile wins on permanence and suits the architecture across much of the state. The deciding factors are how long you plan to own the home, what the neighborhood is built around, and what you want to spend now versus over thirty years.

Which roof lasts longest in Florida?

A properly installed clay or concrete tile roof can last 50 years or more, and a properly installed metal roof is built to last for decades, depending on the system. An asphalt shingle roof is commonly expected to last around 20 years, and Florida heat, UV and storms can shorten that. Installation quality decides where your roof actually lands.

Which roof handles hurricanes best?

Wind ratings belong to a specific product installed to spec, not to a material in general. For example, Owens Corning's Duration shingle carries a wind warranty of up to 160 mph when installed with the required Owens Corning components, and Metlok is rated 180+ mph. Ask us for the rating of the exact system we quote. Whatever the covering, the fastening schedule, underlayment and flashing detail matter more to storm survival than the material name.

Does a metal roof lower my insurance?

Florida law requires insurers to offer premium credits for wind-resistant construction features. A wind mitigation inspection documents what your roof qualifies for — roof covering, deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections and secondary water resistance all count. We perform those inspections; ask your insurance agent what applies to your policy.

Can I put a new roof over the old one?

Florida code allows it in limited circumstances, but we rarely recommend it. Layering hides deck damage, adds weight, shortens the new roof's life and complicates any future repair. Tear-off is the only way to see what the decking is actually doing — and that's the part that decides whether the new roof reaches its rated life.

Not Sure Which System Your Roof Needs?

The free inspection settles it — photos, honest findings, and a written condition report, yours to keep either way.

Owens Corning Platinum Preferred · licensed CCC057165 & CBC1258484

Sources (13)
  1. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Milton (AL142024) · NOAA National Hurricane Center
  2. Using cool roofs to reduce heat islands · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  3. Section 627.0629, Florida Statutes (mitigation discounts) · The Florida Legislature
  4. License CCC057165, Certified Roofing Contractor · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  5. License CBC1258484, Certified Building Contractor · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  6. Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components (2007) · National Association of Home Builders
  7. Roofing shingle warranties · Owens Corning
  8. TruDefinition Duration shingles · Owens Corning
  9. Metlok disclaimer and specifications · Metlok
  10. Metlok 50-Year Limited Lifetime Warranty · Metlok
  11. Universal Roof & Contracting contractor profile · Owens Corning
  12. Universal Roof & Contracting reviews · GuildQuality
  13. Universal Roof & Contracting, Orlando (Google Business Profile) · Google