The three most common types of roofs in Florida are: shingle, metal, and tile for pitched roofing.  Metal has become the most popular roofing material in recent months because the spike in oil prices have dramatically increased the cost of shingles, and insurance companies have begun to threaten to not provide coverage for shingle roofs over ten years old.  Metal roofs are somewhat more expensive but many times more durable, lasting thirty years or more.  Additionally, insurance companies require roof replacement every thirty years instead of ten.

Shingle roofing is the least expensive roof covering, but also the least durable.  Another downside to shingle roofs that has recently stressed many Floridians is that insurance companies are insisting that homeowners replace their roof every ten years, though technically a shingle roof lifespan can extend to 15 - 18 years.  

A metal is ideally suited for coastal areas, such as Sarasota and Bradenton, as it can endure hurricanes, hard rains, changing wind directions in storms and wind forces up to and beyond 180 mph. https://zollerroofing.com/metal-roofing/

Unlike shingles, which soften or can become brittle over time, a metal roof remains sturdy and durable through the years. Metal roofs are considered to be assembly rated class A, providing another benefit to having of a metal roof. The class A assembly rated means the covering and underlying materials provide additional fire protection. This makes metal a great choice to keep your building and its contents safe.

Your roofing contract needs to be certified, licensed, and have all the proper insurance.  Before jumping into any new roofing projects, you need to educate yourself to avoid cams and unlicensed roofers. Click here to find the 5 questions you must ask before signing that contract https://zollerroofing.com/how-to-verify-your-roofing-contractor-to-keep-from-getting-scammed/. 

There are several ways to research your contractor. http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/ and myflorida.gov is a great place to start. You also want to make sure you get current copies of all the workman's compensation and liability insurance to make sure it is all up to date. If your roofer can't provide this, BEWARE!

Walking on a roof is dangerous. We recommend that only a licensed and insured professional roofing contractor get on your roof. If you do decide to get on your roof, use caution to ensure personal safety and prevent damage to roof tiles that may void your warranty. Roof tiles broken by foot traffic should be replaced as soon as possible. The broken concrete roof tiles may cause problems by allowing water and UV rays to penetrate through to the underlayment and damage it. Keep in mind that activities such as gutter cleaning and holiday light hanging can be accomplished from a ladder rather than walking on a roof. Ladders should be used so as not to damage the roof tile.

A mixture of sand, cement, water, and oxide (pigment) is pressed or extruded into aluminum or steel molds to create the shape of the concrete tile and then it is sent into a kiln. The extrusion process typically utilizes over 3,000 lbs. of pressure, per square, to ensure the strength, weather tightness and long-term durability of the tiles. These natural ingredients make concrete roof tile dense and heavy, resulting in an extremely durable product that can withstand the harshest of weather and is longer-lasting than traditional roofing materials, like asphalt shingles. In addition, its high thermal mass provides an added benefit by absorbing and storing heat (like a sponge) during the day and releasing it slowly into the structure at night. Thereby, keeping your residential or commercial building cooler during the day in the summer and warmer at night in the winter; helping reduce heating and cooling costs. The results are unmatched longevity, thermal superiority and exceptional weather and impact resistance ratings. Concrete roof tiles provide the beauty to meet any architectural demand, the strength to withstand all weather conditions and the durability to stand the test of time. They also provide the perfect platform for the future of energy efficiency.

Yes, over time concrete roof tiles do fade and change color and appearance due to exposure to the elements. However, this will not affect the integrity or beauty of your roof. Color is achieved within concrete roof tiles one of two ways: by adding pigment into the body of the tile producing a color-through product, or by applying a concentrated slurry coat of cement-infused pigment to the top surface of the tile, known as a slurry/color-bonded product. With color-through tiles, the color will last indefinitely. During manufacturing, the colored cement will be drawn to the surface of the tile resulting in the initial color shade. This layer is slightly softer than the body of the tile and will typically erode within the first ten years, depending on the climate in which the roof is installed. This erosion will expose a larger percentage of the sand and aggregate, resulting in an overall lightening of color; however, this occurs to a lesser degree with concrete roof tile than most other roofing materials.