Roofing materials for south Florida

Today, Cloud9 is helping you narrow down your choices for your residential or commercial building – and when you’re ready for a new roof, re-roofing, or roof repair, give us a call. We’re a full-service licensed and insured roofing company serving Broward and Palm Beach and the greater South Florida area.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material, and more Florida homes have asphalt shingles than any other type of roof. They can withstand a wide variety of weather conditions and are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. They’re also great for weather extremes of cold and, important for Florida, hot temperatures, too.

There are some downsides to asphalt shingles, too, however. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros of asphalt shingles:
  • Cost-effective
  • Durable, with a lifespan of up to 25 years
  • Fire retardant
  • Low maintenance
  • Water-resistant
Cons of asphalt shingles:
  • Can crack or warp in high temperatures
  • Lightweight, which means they could blow off during a tropical storm or hurricane
  • May need repairs more often

If you opt for asphalt shingles on your roof, plan to have the roof inspected at least once a year, checking for loose shingles and leaks. While you may need to set aside a small fund for repair or replacement, you can rest easy knowing that repairs are often inexpensive and the materials are readily available.

Clay roofing tiles

Beautiful clay roofing tiles are the perfect crowning glory to your Florida home. No matter how high temperatures soar, the clay tile won’t warp or crack, protecting your home and keeping it cool. The material also complements a lot of Florida architecture and can enhance your curb appeal.

Pros of clay tiles:
  • Fire retardant
  • Rot-resistant
  • Very durable, with a lifespan of up to 50 years
  • Withstands salt spray, which is good for oceanfront properties
Cons of clay tiles:
  • Fragile, and they can shatter or chip if mishandled, or if there’s too much weight on the tiles
  • Heavy, so be sure that your roofer has experience with clay tiles
  • Pricier than asphalt

When installing clay tiles, make sure that your structure can withstand the extra weight and reinforce it before the installation. But don’t let the upfront price tag scare you away – the durability and longevity of clay tiles will pay for themselves, and a clay roof can be more of an investment in your property, increasing the home’s value.

Clay tiles also withstand a lot of storm damage, and often, they’ll stay in place during a storm, which means you won’t have “balding” afterward.

Get in touch with us

Today, Cloud9 is helping you narrow down your choices for your residential or commercial building – and when you’re ready for a new roof, re-roofing, or roof repair, give us a call. We’re a full-service licensed and insured roofing company serving Broward and Palm Beach and the greater South Florida area.

Concrete roofing tiles

Concrete tiles are a lighter option than clay tiles and require less prep work to the roof structure before installation. They’re not as common as asphalt or clay tiles, but concrete tiles offer several other benefits.

Pros of concrete tiles:
  • Durable, with a lifespan of 50-100 years
  • Low maintenance
  • Many color options
  • Sturdy and able to withstand powerful winds
  • Water and fire-resistant
Cons of concrete tiles:
  • Can be expensive, especially for custom colors
  • Limited design options
  • More expensive than wood or asphalt

If you’re nervous about the appearance of concrete, don’t worry. Concrete tiles can be crafted to look like wood or other types of materials, combining aesthetics with practicality. Or, if you have a more modern structure, concrete tiles may be the perfect complement to your minimalist design.

Metal roofing systems

Metal roofing isn’t just one large piece of industrial-looking metal. Metal roofing systems can be designed to look like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or wood shake roof coverings. It’s a great choice if you want a low-maintenance roof that looks like a higher cost or maintenance material.

Pros of concrete tiles:
  • Durable and long-lasting, up to 40 years
  • Insect, water, and fire-resistant
  • Heat-reflective, which keeps your building cooler and can lower your energy costs
  • Very low maintenance
  • Withstands ocean salt spray
Cons of concrete tiles:
  • Can get quite expensive
  • Limited design options

Slate roofing

Slate is elegant and can be customized to suit almost any taste. It comes in many different designs and appearances, with customizable colors to suit your home. It’s one of the most durable materials, as well, and can hold up during hurricane season.

You also won’t be able to start installing a slate roof unless you’ve reinforced the underlying roof structure first – the tiles are that heavy. Keep in mind that this will be an additional cost when building a new structure, which is part of why slate roofing can be expensive.

Pros of concrete tiles:
  • Aesthetically pleasing, with natural beauty
  • Very long-lasting, up to 100 years
  • Water, fire, and rot-resistant
Cons of concrete tiles:
  • Fragile, can chip or break if installers aren’t careful
  • Heavy, even heavier than clay tiles
  • Very expensive, in fact, the most expensive roofing material we offer

Get in touch with us

Today, Cloud9 is helping you narrow down your choices for your residential or commercial building – and when you’re ready for a new roof, re-roofing, or roof repair, give us a call. We’re a full-service licensed and insured roofing company serving Broward and Palm Beach and the greater South Florida area.

Flat roofing

Flat roofing styles are a very popular style for Florida property owners, both commercial and residential. Flat roofs have several advantages over peaked and gabled roofing, and typically consist of a waterproof membrane and roof covering.

Flat roofs come in many styles, and at Cloud9, we install all types:

  • The tar and gravel system, also called BURs (built-up roof systems), consists of alternating layers of fiberglass or roofing felt and asphalt and is very common on most commercial buildings. They’re durable, easy to install, and protect the underlying structure
  • Self-adhering membranes are underlayments in both steep slopes and flat roofs, protecting the structure beneath. We typically use them to cover a flat surface and protect the structure beneath
  • Torch-on roofing is helpful in areas where rain or snow can collect for long periods. During the storm season in Florida, this particular type of roof can withstand more water than other types
  • Rubber coating is a natural protectant, applied directly to the structure and then covered with tiles, shingles, or metal