There are many different types and variations of roofs, and in north Florida, you’ll find just about every take on homes and commercial properties. Therefore, it’s important to know what type of roofing material and variations you have to best care for your roof. Let’s take a look at the most common materials and variations that can be found on the First Coast:

 
Shingles

Roof shingles are roof coverings consisting of individual overlapping elements. They are usually flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below. Shingles are held by the roof rafters and are made of various materials such as wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, and composite materials such as fiber cement and asphalt shingles. Depending on the material of your shingles, there are different rules for maintaining your shingles to ensure your roofing material lasts. The best way to care for asphalt shingles is to ensure you inspect the roof after significant weather events and remove any debris that may stop water drainage away from the roof. Taking a close look at downspouts will help to ensure no moisture is backing up onto the asphalt shingles and causing damage. Also, if an asphalt shingle is missing or needs to be replaced, this can often be done easily by a qualified roofing professional.

Terracotta, or clay, roof shingles can be found in many homes in Florida, and these shingles are made of an entirely different material than asphalt shingles. Although the same rules apply to removing debris, terracotta shingles tend to attract algae due to their smooth surface and exposure to moisture. Unlike asphalt shingles, terracotta shingles can be cleaned with a pressure washer by a trained professional. Asphalt shingles cannot be pressure washed! This is an important example of different rules for different materials.

 
Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are becoming more popular as more people become acquainted with their relatively simple upkeep requirements and long-lasting materials. To ensure that the investment of a metal roof is worthwhile, proper maintenance on your metal roof is of the utmost importance. Cleaning your metal roof and removing the dirt and other potentially harmful elements that could get stuck on the surface help extend the life and the look of the roof. It’s important to check for these so you can immediately remedy the potential issue and prevent further damage. Checking for surface scratches or scuffs is also an important rule for maintaining your metal roof. Surface scratches can result from a number of things, like debris hitting the roof. Luckily, many minor scratches on the surface can be covered using a touch-up paint pen that matches the color of the roof. However, if the scratches or scuffs are excessive, do not try to fix the problem yourself and immediately contact a qualified professional.

 
Roof Pitch

Many residential and commercial buildings have roofs that aren’t simply flat; they have many slopes and angles and places where different angles meet. The exact pitch is calculated by the difference between rise (the vertical change between the bottom and top) and run (side to side horizontal change) and is expressed as a ratio. For example: if the roof has 4 feet of rise for every 12 feet of run, the slope would be described as 4:12. Knowing the pitch of your roof can help determine which points of the roof can be most susceptible to fatigue and moisture problems. For those that happen to have flat roofs, it is crucial to examine the roof for sagging and areas of discoloration that may indicate moisture damage.

 
Always Hire a Qualified Professional

The more you know about your roof and the rules that apply to your specific type of roofing material, the more prepared you can be when planning for maintenance or repairs. As always, hiring a qualified professional that will follow the rules is the best way to ensure the rules for your roof are followed. Golden Hammer Roofing has over 35 years of experience handling repairs for every type of roof and roofing material in Jacksonville and the surrounding area. You can be sure that they will handle your roofing needs by following every rule for your specific type of roof.
 
Whether asphalt, metal, or terracotta, you can be sure to count on Golden Hammer Roofing to make your roof lasts as long as possible. Get in touch for your complimentary roof estimate.