Before we tuck into this essential conversation–identifying and discussing the best roofing materials for withstanding Florida’s violent hurricane season–we’d like to offer a quick caveat.
Mother Nature does not take prisoners. Mother Nature is unpredictable and powerful. A hurricane-proof roof that is 100 percent waterproof is an impossible dream. You can still prepare.
Certain roof styles and materials are more resilient than others. It’s time to consider your options for coping with the coming storms.

Slate Roofs
Price: High
Durability: High
Wind Resistance: Medium-High
Beautiful slate roofs are beautiful.
They are elegant, and stylish, and leave a lasting impression. They require extreme support and a considerably higher total weight than other roofing options (the exact same applies to clay-tile roofs).
They don’t actually burn, which is a Florida plus. However, they are more susceptible to falling debris and foot traffic. If you can avoid real gravitational stress, it is possible to save them. These tiles can last up to 100 years if they are not tested.
Better | Concrete Tiles
Price: High
Durability: Extreme
Wind Resistance: High
Concrete tiles have almost the same pros and cons as slate tiles but with two additional factors:
They are stronger, but they are also more durable. These will be lifted off your home by the wind.
To ensure that concrete tiles don’t cause damage to your home’s structure, it is important to inspect and possibly renovate your foundations. On the plus side, these long-lasting tiles offer extreme durability and can be shaped to look just like the aesthetically-pleasing slate tiles.
Metal Roofs
Cost: Medium
Durability: Medium-High
Wind Resistance: High
Although metal roofs can be more expensive than shingled ones, they are much more durable. They are very energy efficient, require little maintenance, and can be recycled in the suburbs.
Wind won’t cause shingles to fall off, nor will rain. Metal roofs can be a hurricane’s worst enemy.
Ask questions about a Florida roofing contractor to make sure you get a service that is worthy of your trust. To schedule a consultation, call today!
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This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier Pinellas County Commercial Roofing company! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.