When is the best time to replace your roof? It’s a question many homeowners across the country ask, but the answer often depends on where you live.
In Florida, winter is a smart time to inspect and replace your roof. Not only does this season fall outside the window of hurricane season, but it’s also part of the slower period for contractors. This makes it easier to schedule inspections and plan large-scale projects without the rush, ensuring your roof is ready for the year ahead.
Timing is everything when replacing your roof. Here’s why it matters and why so many Floridians are turning to stone-coated metal roofing to protect their homes.
Summer Brings Heat, Autumn Brings Storms
From the Keys to Jacksonville, winter brings mild weather that makes Florida a paradise for millions of vacationers and snowbirds escaping the snow and ice up north.
But the sunny skies and cooler temperatures aren’t just ideal for tourists and retirees—they’re also perfect for roofing contractors. Summer in Florida, as you surely know by now, is HOT. The extreme heat can pose risks for roofing crews, leading some contractors to limit their work hours to early mornings or late afternoons. This slower pace means projects take longer to complete.
On top of that, summer officially kicks off tropical storm and hurricane season. By early autumn, the season is in full swing with heavy rains, high winds, and threatening storms. Hurricanes in recent years have forced widespread evacuations and wreaked havoc across the state. This results in emergency repairs and replacements, making summer the busiest time of year for roofing contractors in Florida.
Clearly, this is not the time to schedule a roofing installation. The job could be delayed or canceled entirely—or worse, your contractor might be mid-project when a hurricane hits, leaving your home exposed to the elements.
Scheduling Gets Difficult as Severe Weather Approaches
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. If it’s showing signs of wear or nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s important to plan for a replacement well ahead of June 1, the start of Florida’s storm season.
By that time, homeowners should have their hurricane preparations in place to protect their homes from strong winds, heavy rain, and hail.
Recently, there’s been an additional concern for Florida residents: insurance carriers are denying damage claims related to tropical storms and hurricanes. In fact, in 2023, several major insurers denied nearly half of homeowner claims, leaving homeowners responsible for storm damage, including roof repairs. That’s why many homeowners are taking a more proactive approach to ensure their homes are properly protected.
But waiting until late spring to schedule a roofing project can be risky, as contractors often book up quickly in anticipation of the storm season. Scheduling in winter provides more flexibility, giving homeowners the ability to:
- Hire their preferred contractor, rather than settling for whoever is available
- Take their time selecting the best roofing materials
- Address any potential delays or interruptions without the pressure of impending storms
- Choose a timeline that fits their personal schedule
Hurricane Season Is Starting Earlier Than Ever
Historically, the Atlantic hurricane season, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, has run from June 1 to November 30.
Since 2015, there’s been an uptick in the number of storms forming before the official start of the hurricane season. Record-breaking warm ocean temperatures are contributing to this, as well as the intense hurricanes seen in 2024. These higher-than-usual sea temperatures see no signs of cooling down.
Meteorologists are now warning that Florida residents may face a hurricane season that begins well before June, with storms becoming more powerful, as seen by major hurricanes like Helene and Milton. And 2024 set a new record for hurricanes making landfall.
So, what does this mean for homeowners in the Sunshine State? Waiting until spring to replace an aging roof or make other hurricane preparations might be cutting it close. To ensure you’re fully prepared, scheduling major work like a roof replacement in winter is a much safer strategy.
DECRA Metal Roofing Gives Florida Residents Peace of Mind
Scheduling your roof replacement in Florida during the winter is the first step in preparing your home for the storm season ahead. The next step is choosing a roofing material.
For Florida homeowners, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing offers the protection needed to withstand the elements.
Here are just a few reasons why DECRA is a smart choice when replacing your roof:
- Longevity: A metal roof can last two to three times longer than traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, wood shakes, or clay tiles, saving you from costly repairs or replacements down the road.
- Wind Resistance: DECRA roofs are engineered to withstand extreme wind conditions, making them ideal for regions like Miami-Dade. They are warrantied for winds up to 120 miles per hour and tested at twice that velocity, offering reliable protection during hte most severe storms.
- Impact Resistance: DECRA metal roofs carry the highest Underwriters Laboratories rating for impact resistance and are warrantied for damage from hailstones up to 2.5 inches in diameter.
- Wind-Driven Rain Protection: DECRA’s interlocking panels and fasteners provide protection against wind-driven rain. This feature can help keep your home’s underlayment and interior safe from water damage.
- Increased Home Value: The durability of a metal roof can increase your home’s resale value by up to 6% compared to a home with asphalt shingles. Additionally, you can recoup an average of 85.9% of the cost. This is great news for homeowners looking to refinance or planning to sell in the future.
- Energy Efficiency: DECRA metal roofing reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them, helping to reduce cooling costs by up to 25%. This is especially beneficial in Florida’s hot, sunny climate.
- Insurance Discounts and Peace of Mind: Many homeowners with metal roofs enjoy discounts on their insurance premiums due to the reduced risk of damage. With DECRA, you also gain peace of mind knowing you’re less likely to face disputes with insurance carriers over storm damage claims.
- Aesthetic Versatility: DECRA metal roofs are designed to replicate traditional roofing materials like clay tiles, wood shakes, and asphalt shingles, making them an excellent match for almost any home style. In Florida, where clay tiles are common, DECRA’s options provide the same classic look with the added benefits mentioned above.
Ready to upgrade to a DECRA stone-coated metal roof for your Florida property this winter? Beat the rush by requesting a complimentary sample today. Or, use our free visualization tool to see what a DECRA metal roof would look like on your home.
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in February, 2021, but has been updated with relevant information.
