Why Composite Shingles Are a Great Option For Florida Homeowners
Cedar roofs give a home a very traditional look and have stunning curb appeal. They are one of the oldest styles of roofing in America. Carved from cedar trees, no two shingles are the same. Wood shingles provide a rustic yet luxurious feel and are perfect for Cape Cod, Tudor, Contemporary and even Cottage style homes.
There are a few drawbacks to wood shingles, though. They are subject to humidity, moisture, and pests. And for homeowners in Northeast Florida thinking about cedar shake shingles, that could be a costly combination. Luckily, modern technology offers the perfect solution— composite shake shingles.
What Are Composite Shake Shingles?
Wood shingles go back to ancient middle eastern times. Wood was plentiful and used to build homes, buildings, ships, and more. Wood shingles were safer than thatch and lighter than slate or tile. Eventually, manufacturers began crafting shingles from cedar, oak, cypress, and white pine. Fast-forward to the 21st century, modern science created a durable, eco-friendly, and sustainable synthetic version of these shingles. Composite shingles are typically made from recycled rubber, plastics, and polymers. They are often crafted to look like wood, slate, or clay tiles. Manufacturers take pride in producing photo-realistic synthetic shingles, mimicking the wood tones, textures, and hues of genuine cedar shingles.
Features of Composite Shake Shingles
Your roof is the most vulnerable part of a building–exposed to rain, wind, hail, debris, lightning, and floating embers from wildfires. It’s crucial to use shingles that provide the ultimate protection for your family. Here’s what makes composite shingles a great choice:
- Durability – Most asphalt and cedar shingles have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Composite shingles are usually warranted for up to 50 years.
- Impact Resistant – One of the best qualities of these shingles is the ability to deflect debris without scratching the surface. Most composite shingles have a Class 4 impact resistance rating, which means they are the best option against hail.
- Fire Resistant – Even with the proper fire retardant, wood shingles can burn. Many composite shake shingles have a Class A fire rating, meaning they are effective against severe fire test exposure.
- Lightweight – Compared with slate or tile, composite shingles are a fraction of the weight. Most weigh about the same or a little more than asphalt shingles and do not require reinforced framing (another added cost to real slate or tile).
- Wind Resistant – Florida homeowners are no strangers to hurricanes. With sustained winds at 70 mph and gusts up to 110 mph, you want something on your roof that will stay put. Three-tab asphalt shingles usually withstand 60 – 90 mph winds, while composite shingles can handle double the speed at 110 – 190 mph.
- Fade Resistant – Rather than the granules of asphalt shingles or coatings on traditional shake shingles, composite shingles include polymers and inhibitors that counteract the ultraviolet radiation.
Choosing the Right Composite Shingle For Your Home
If you want something that will wow your neighbors and give you the best bang for your buck, composite shake or slate shingles are a great option. They are authentic-looking and outperform even the best traditional slate or shake shingles. At Endless Summer Roofing, we are experts on roofing systems for Northeast Florida. We’ve partnered with Enviroshake, a company that manufactures quality engineered roofing materials. Their synthetic shingles are made primarily of recycled materials and have an excellent wind rating of 180 mph–the same wind speeds as a Category 5 hurricane. They offer a variety of composite shingles made to look like cedar shake and stone slate tiles.
