Architectural shingles are an excellent way to protect your roof and home, as they’re durable and not highly flammable.
Therefore, as a homeowner looking to optimize your property’s longevity under the unpredictable Florida weather, it might be time to start looking into making this investment.
This article will discuss the best places in the state to find architectural shingles in greater detail. We’ll also take you through the best types of shingles for Florida weather, how long they should last, and some alternatives to these shingles.
Where To Find the Best Architectural Shingles in Florida
You can find the best architectural shingles in Florida in places like Home Depot or from suppliers like CertainTeed. These shingles cost approximately $38 for a 33.33 square foot (3 m²) bundle. So you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $28,000 for an architectural shingle roof.
The Best Place in Florida to Buy Architectural Shingles
The best place overall to find architectural shingles in the state is Home Depot. It sells shingles in a wide range of colors, and they cost approximately $1.14 per square foot (0.1 m²). You can usually pick them up in-store or deliver them to your home.
If you buy your shingles from Home Depot, you’ll need to buy them in sets; you can’t buy them piece-by-piece. Of course, this generally shouldn’t be an issue since you’re likely doing up your whole roof.
However, if you’re looking for a single replacement piece, you’re out of luck.
There are 153 Home Depot stores in Florida, so no matter where you’re located within the state, you shouldn’t have any issues finding one and buying your shingles.
The architectural shingles at Home Depot come in a wide range of colors, including charcoal, shakewood, hunter green, and slate. The brand that Home Depot sells is GAF, a trusted timberline roofing company.
The following sections will discuss other places to get the best architectural shingles in the state.
SYL Roofing Supply
SYL Roofing Supply is another excellent place to buy these shingles in Florida. This company operates in Tampa and Orlando, so you should consider getting a quote from them if you’re near either of these places.
The employees at SYL Roofing Supply are professionals for all your roofing needs, and it’s even better that they’re based in Florida. They understand the most efficient way to upgrade a roof and ensure it is appropriate for Florida’s humid (and sometimes windy) weather.
The shingles you choose will depend on your budget, so it’s best to speak with a team member directly to estimate the cost better. They will also guide you regarding the best type of shingles to choose from based on your area and the weather in your region.
CertainTeed
CertainTeed is a building material manufacturer that manufactures various materials and equipment, including roof shingles.
It offers a wide range of shingle choices and many color options. In addition, by going directly to the CertainTeed website, you can input your name, address, and roofing needs to receive a quote from contractors in your area.
Its shingles are high-quality, durable, and perfect for Florida weather. They also come with a competitive warranty, so you don’t have to worry about buying a whole new roof in a few years if anything were to happen.
The overall cost will depend on how big your roof is, its shape, and the type of shingles you want.
ABC Supply
ABC Supply is not a roof shingle manufacturer, but it sells shingles from many other companies. Some of the brands of shingles sold include CertainTeed, GAF, and Atlas.
Luckily, it has stores scattered throughout Florida, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding one near you.
Here is a list of some of the types of roofing it sells:
- Asphalt shingles, including architectural and three-tab shingles
- Concrete roof tiles
- Metal roofing
- Composite roofing
- Slate roof tiles
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1-2 per square foot (0.1 m²) for architectural shingles at an ABC Supply store.
How Much Do Architectural Shingles Cost in Florida?
Architectural shingles generally cost between $1-2 per square foot (0.1 m²) in Florida. However, the exact cost depends on several factors, including where you buy them and the type of shingles you choose. You also need to factor in the labor cost of installation.
Architectural last longer than other varieties like three-tab shingles. For this reason, you’ll be paying more money for them. This might tempt you to go for three-tab or other cheaper alternatives, but remember, you’ll need to replace three-tabs much sooner.
Additionally, these shingles are more sturdy, durable, and weather-resistant than their three-tab counterparts, so you’re paying for a better quality product overall.
Although the architectural variety can get expensive, they’re still cheaper than most other materials. Some examples of more costly shingles include:
- Wood shingles: Can cost between $3-10 per square foot. People may choose to spend extra money on wood shingles due to their eco-friendliness, aesthetics, and sturdiness.
- Solar shingles: Between $10-20 per square foot to install. They are used as solar panels to create energy, so they are significantly more expensive than other varieties.
- Clay shingles: The material can cost between $2-7 per square foot. People often like to choose clay shingles because they are highly tolerant of adverse weather conditions.
Best Type of Shingles for Florida
Architectural shingles are the best type of singles for Florida, which explains why they’re also the most popular. They are suitable because they tolerate heat and humidity and can withstand heavy winds.
The two main types of shingles in Florida are architectural and three-tab shingles. However, three-tabs generally aren’t as long-lasting.
Now, let’s discuss these types of shingles in greater detail below:
Architectural Shingles
As mentioned, these shingles are the best ones to choose if you’re residing in Florida. They can withstand the state’s hot and humid climate, whereas three-tab shingles would not be as weather-tolerant.
Additionally, they’re thicker and more robust, so they last so much longer than regular shingles. Furthermore, they’re also more affordable than many other types of shingles (other than three-tab).
Three-Tab Shingles
Three-tab shingles are flatter than architectural. The latter tends to stick out more and look more ‘realistic,’ whereas three-tabs are spread more evenly and less textured. With three-tabs, each piece looks the same.
Since three-tab shingles are thinner than their architectural counterparts, they aren’t as durable. This also means you need to replace them more frequently, so spending the extra money on architectural is generally worth it.
Additionally, three-tab shingles don’t do as well in windy conditions. Since Florida is bound to experience a hurricane every now and then, this isn’t ideal. Architectural are much more tolerant of hurricane winds.
How Long Will Architectural Shingles Last in Florida?
In Florida, architectural shingles will last anywhere from 10-20 years. The exact lifespan of your shingles will depend on the weather conditions in your specific region, how well they were installed, and how you care for and maintain them.
Below are some ways to increase the lifespan of your shingles and overall roof:
- Proper maintenance – knowing how to maintain your shingles and roof properly will help it last longer. You should hire a professional to clean your roof regularly. Avoid cleaning with water, as doing so can cause moss to grow on architectural shingles.
- Clean the gutters – if you leave too much water sitting in your gutters for too long, it can lead to leaks and water damage.
- Keep an eye on the shingles – it’s essential always to keep an eye on your roof shingles. I know it sounds tedious, but it can be the only way to catch any issues early on, making it easier for a professional to fix them. Some damages to look out for may include a worn-away section or raised shingles.
Best Alternatives to Architectural Shingles in Florida
Although architectural shingles are one of the best roofing alternatives in Florida and can easily be found at Home Depot and other suppliers, it’s always worth considering other options.
Some of the best shingle alternatives include concrete tiles, metal roofing, and solar shingles.
However, not all may be suitable for Florida weather conditions.
Concrete Roof Tiles
Concrete tiles are some of the longest-lasting roof materials you can buy. They can last up to 50 years. However, they are generally more expensive than architectural.
Concrete roof tiles are appropriate for Florida weather and are highly durable. You can find concrete roof tiling in Florida through suppliers like ABC Supply (they also sell architectural shingles).
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another excellent alternative, but it’s also much more expensive than standard asphalt shingles (including architectural shingles). It can also be more challenging and time-consuming to install, so you’re also looking at higher labor costs.
However, it is appropriate for Florida weather because of its non-porous nature, meaning that water and other liquids won’t pass through and damage the roof.
Mid Florida Metal Roofing Supply sells some of the best metal roofing in the state.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles can be installed as a replacement for regular solar panels. They look sleeker and aren’t as noticeable as solar panels, which is why they’re becoming more popular.
Unlike architectural, solar shingles are not exceptionally budget-friendly. They are some of the most expensive shingles you can choose, but they’ll help save money on your electricity bill.
In many cases, homeowners will only cover one section of their roof with solar shingles and the rest with a regular variety. Solar shingles are ideal for Florida due to the constant sunshine and many hours of daylight.
If you’re in Florida, you can buy solar shingles from suppliers such as All Solar Power or Tesla.
What Shingle Colors Are Best in Florida?
In Florida, the best shingle colors are lighter tones. Dark colors tend to absorb more sunlight, creating more heat. Subsequently, your home will get hotter, which you likely want to avoid if you live somewhere as warm as Florida.
Lighter beige and white colors are the best choices. The main downside to choosing lighter colors is that they will show dirt easier, so you may need to clean them more frequently.
You can choose darker tones, but it’s essential to understand how choosing dark colors (mainly black) will affect the temperature of your home and roof.
Black
Black is the least appropriate shingle color you can choose if you live in Florida. Since having a black roof will increase the temperature in your home, your home’s cooling system will need to work harder.
This will increase your electricity bill, which certainly isn’t ideal.
Beige Colors
Beige colors are popular because they’re not too dark and not too light. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about your home overheating throughout the scorching summer days.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your house being too cold during cooler days either.
White
White shingles will have the opposite effect as their black counterparts. While black shingles absorb light, white shingles reflect it.
This quality makes them an excellent choice for hot summer days but may be less ideal during cold winter months. Also, given that white doesn’t retain heat, your heaters will likely have to work overtime when the temperatures are low.
However, if you’re in Florida, you won’t have to worry too much about that aspect.
Conclusion
Architectural shingles are one of Florida’s best and most affordable roofing options. The best places to buy these shingles include Home Depot, SYL Roofing Supply, CertainTeed, and ABC Supply.
They can cost between $1-2/square foot. The overall price will vary depending on the size of your roof, its shape, the exact material you choose, and your specific region.
Although architectural are more expensive than their three-tab counterparts, they last longer and are more durable; therefore, it’s often worth spending the extra money on them.
Sources
- Home Depot: U.S. Store Count by State
- Oregon State University: Maintaining a moss-free roof takes some effort
- UCSB: Why do black objects absorb more heat (light) than lighter colored objects? What do wavelengths have to do with it?
- UCSB: Which colors absorb the most heat? Why is this? Does a bright color like yellow absorb a lot of heat?
