Best Asphalt Roofing Shingles for Florida

Asphalt roofing shingles have become the gold standard for roofing in Florida. But once you’ve decided that shingles are right for your roof replacement, you need to decide what kind of shingles you want to get. And when you’re making a considerable investment into your home, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best shingles for Florida homes.

We’re John Hogan Roofing, and we’ve been installing asphalt shingle roofs for over 25 years right here in sunny Florida. We know all about which shingles can hold up to our local weather patterns and which ones will leave you in a tough spot when the next major storm passes by. Keep reading to get our complete breakdown of the best residential roofing shingles on the market!

The Best Types of Shingles

Experts place asphalt roofing shingles into one of three categories: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury. And there are many differences between these various types of shingles, so it’s important that you familiarize yourself with them if you want to get the best shingles for your home.

3-Tab Shingles

If you’re looking for the best shingles for your home, 3-tab may not be what you’re looking for. The name 3-tab comes from the three asphalt tabs on each shingle. And while these are serviceable asphalt shingles, they’re very thin and flimsy when compared to other types of shingles. This means that they’re more likely to come off with high winds and more likely to be soaked through by Florida’s heavy rains.

For all of these reasons, 3-tab shingles rarely last longer than 15-20 years. And over the course of your roof’s life, you may have to make occasional repairs, like replacing missing shingles.

When it comes to aesthetics, 3-tab shingles do come in a variety of colors, but they create a flat, one-dimensional aesthetic that most homeowners don’t love. For this reason, they’re largely being phased out of modern roofing, so we can’t recommend them as the best shingles for Florida homeowners.

Architectural Shingles

Also called laminate shingles, architectural shingles are a substantial upgrade from 3-tab. Their composition is twice as thick, which makes them much more durable and hearty. These shingles can typically withstand winds of up to 130mph, meaning that you won’t lose shingles even in a Category 3 hurricane. And with thick layers of asphalt protecting your home, you won’t have to worry about water weakening your roofing system.

Architectural shingles even boast better aesthetics. With their dimensional patterning, architectural shingles create depth and generate visual interest on your roof. This makes them a great choice if you want to generate curb appeal for your home.

Featuring a longer lifespan of up to 25 years, architectural shingles are certainly one of the best shingles that you could choose for your roof.

Luxury Shingles

As the name implies, luxury shingles are a high-end asphalt shingle option. These premium shingles come with enhanced, unique patterns that create a stunning shingle roof or recreate the look of other roofing materials like wood shake or slate tiles. But the advantages of luxury shingles are more than just surface level.

With proper maintenance, luxury shingles can last up to 50 years! They achieve this long lifespan thanks to their thick, sturdy design that resists wind, hail, water, and even sun damage. So is it safe to say that luxury shingles are the best shingles for homes in Florida?

Well, yes and no. Other shingles can’t compete with their performance, but luxury shingles are a high-end roofing material, and they come with a high-end price tag. Where 3-tab or architectural shingles are affordable for most homeowners, luxury shingles are outside of most people’s budgets. So while they’re a fantastic shingle option if you want the best material regardless of price, they might not be the best shingles for those on a budget.

The Best Roof Shingle Brand

Once you’ve settled on the best type of shingle for your home, the next step is choosing the right brand of shingle. And over our 25 years of roofing experience, we’ve come to have a lot of faith in Owens Corning shingles.

Whether you decide on architectural or luxury shingles, Owens Corning offers some of the best shingle options on the market. For architectural shingles, they offer both Duration and Oakridge shingles, which provide both the resilience and the beautiful finish that consumers expect from laminate shingles. Both of these options feature leading roofing technology like extra support for roofing nails and strong impact resistance.

If you’d prefer a luxury shingle option, however, Owens Corning’s Berkshire shingle line is perfect for you. These shingles create an aesthetic that’s very similar to that provided by luxury slate, which makes them perfect if you like a more traditional look.

But Owens Corning isn’t just the best because they have the best shingles on the market. They’re also an industry-leading roofing manufacturer because they offer the best warranties.

Choosing the Best Shingle Roofers

Owens Corning offers strong warranties on both workmanship and materials. But to qualify, your roof has to be installed by reliable roofing professionals. Owens Corning identifies reliable, experienced roofers by naming them as Owens Corning Preferred Contractors, and it’s to these roofing professionals that Owens Corning extends their industry-leading shingle warranties.

John Hogan Roofing is proud to be an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. With decades of local roofing experience, we know the ins and outs of shingle roof replacements in Florida. And we make it easy and simple to start the process of getting your new shingle roof.

All you have to do is schedule your free roofing estimate. After inspecting your roof, one of our roofing professionals will prepare you a personalized quote that explains how much your new roof will cost and exactly what you’re paying for. This way, we eliminate all of the guesswork and make sure you won’t have any nasty surprises down the road. So reach out to John Hogan Roofing and find out why we’ve been Florida’s top shingle roofers for over 20 years!

FAQs About the Best Shingles for Florida Homeowners

1. Q: What are the best roofing shingles for Floridians?

A: In Florida, architectural or luxury shingles are both strong choices for your roof. While some roofers still use 3-tab shingles, they’re mostly used because of their low price and not because of the protection they can offer your home.

2. Q: Should I choose dark or light shingles for my home?

A: You should always choose shingles that fit your aesthetic vision. But for performance, lighter-colored shingles will do a better job of reflecting heat away from your home than darker-colored shingles, which can lower your monthly energy bill.

3. Q: How do I make my roof shingles last a long time?

A: Regular maintenance is the key to getting more life out of your roofing shingles. Most experts recommend biannual roof inspections, as well as taking a look after major storms. This way, you can get occasional repairs that will extend the life of your shingle roofing system.

4. Q: Can roofing shingles handle hurricanes?

A: Yes! In fact, most homes in Florida have a shingle roof. When you invest in quality shingles and workmanship, your roof will be able to withstand most major storms without sustaining any damage.

5. Q: What’s the best color for shingle roofs in Florida?

A: Shingle roofs come in many colors, but greys and browns are by far the most popular choices. If you want to choose something with more color, many shingle manufacturers also offer colors in dark greens and blues.

Best Types of Shingles – Video