KEEPING YOU COVERED
THE idea that not all roofs are created equal may sound a
little strange. After all, a roof is a roof, right? It shelters
you from the elements, keeps in your cold air, and protects you and your
family 24/7. So why is there so much confusion, especially around pricing,
when it comes to replacing your roof? As Southwest Florida emerged
from Hurricane Irma, many found their roof in need of repairs or even a
completely new roof. This led people to reach out to companies across the
area and many found pricing differences that were difficult to understand.
If everyone has the same profit margin, why are some companies so much
less or so much more expensive? We want to help you understand the
products and services that can impact the cost of a roof so you receive the
highest quality product for the best price.
Here we will focus on concrete tile roofs. Metal roofs and shingle
roofs are also options available to homeowners in Southwest Florida but
tile reigns supreme in hot climates because, out of the three options, it
keeps your home the coolest. All tiles allow air to circulate in a way that
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metal and asphalt shingles don’t, and have a substantial thermal density.
This helps your home regulate its internal temperature and cuts down
on cooling costs. Tile is also versatile in both color and design so it can
match the style of any home. When hiring a roofing company, here are
some questions you should be asking.
First, if you find one company’s quote to be drastically more or less
in cost than the rest, ask about materials, especially the underlayment.
Roofing underlayment is the only waterproof barrier and is installed
directly onto your roof deck. It is applied under the pervious tile layer
of protection from severe weather. Many companies are able to cut costs
by using a cheaper, thinner, product. Cost “saving” products are only 45-
55 millimeters thick, which is thin enough to get punctured simply by
walking on it! Keeping the elements out in Florida for any length of time
requires a much stronger barrier. An underlayment that’s 115 millimeters
thick is a much better option for our local climate. Cheaper underlayment
also typically offers a drastically reduced manufacturer warranty which is