Florida's roofing landscape may shift significantly if the state’s top insurance chief has his way: ditching asphalt shingles in reroofing and new construction throughout the Sunshine State.

At the Florida Chamber of Commerce 2024 Insurance Summit in Orlando last month, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky hinted at significant changes to insurance premium calculations that could render asphalt shingles less desirable for homeowners and reshape the market for roofing contractors and material suppliers.

“It’s probably time to look past asphalt shingles,” Yaworsky remarked. “Asphalt shingles are... Maybe it’s time to start writing them out of the plot in Florida.”

A Popular Roofing Choice Under Scrutiny

According to an Arturo 2022 report, “Hurricane Exposure: The State of Gulf Homes,” asphalt shingles cover more than 70% of Gulf Coast homes. While their affordability and ease of installation have made them a longstanding favorite, their performance in severe weather has come under increasing scrutiny.

Designed to withstand winds up to 110 mph, asphalt shingles are often no match for Florida’s intensifying hurricanes. Aging or degraded shingles are even more susceptible to storm damage, compounding the financial strain on insurers that frequently foot the bill for replacements. According to Yaworsky, the material often fails to meet its advertised 30-year lifespan, making it an unreliable option for a state prone to hurricanes.

Shifting Toward More Resilient Options

Yaworsky’s office issued a statement emphasizing the need for more durable roofing materials to withstand Florida’s extreme weather conditions and potentially lower insurance premiums. “Florida’s building codes are working, and we do not want progress to go backward,” the statement read. “There are more resilient roofing types that consumers may want to consider, to not only have their homes hold up better in Florida’s weather but also to possibly receive credit for in their insurance premiums.”

Henry Paz, vice president of development for the USA/Canada at Roser, a leading manufacturer of stone-coated steel roofing systems based in Dallas, said using alternative materials is not necessarily a cost-prohibitive measure to undertake and agrees that using more durable products is a trend that has been gathering steam.

"As a company providing price-competitive metal roofing products (way lower than any other type of metal roofing) that offer the appearance of concrete tiles or asphalt shingles while providing the resistance of steel, we are tracking this situation as closely as possible," he wrote in an email.  

The Cost of Resilient Alternatives

While alternatives to asphalt shingles offer better durability, they come with higher upfront costs — a major challenge for homeowners and contractors alike. Here’s a breakdown of the primary options:

Metal Roofs

• Cost: Approximately 65% more than asphalt shingles.
• Benefits: Can withstand wind insulation to minimize noise during rainstorms.

Ceramic or Concrete Tiles

• Cost: Around 50% more than asphalt shingles.
• Benefits: Highly durable and resistant to fire and wind, with a lifespan of 50 years or more. Their weight, however, may necessitate structural reinforcement.

FORTIFIED Roof Systems

• Cost: 10–20% higher upfront, depending on the level of fortification.
• Benefits: Specifically engineered to resist hurricane-force winds, FORTIFIED roofs integrate enhanced attachment methods, sealed decks, and wind-rated materials.
• These options significantly increase reroofing costs, with projects ranging from $20,000–$30,000 for ceramic tile roofs to similar costs for metal and FORTIFIED systems. Meanwhile, a standard asphalt shingle roof typically costs $10,000–$15,000.

Addressing the Affordability Challenge

To help offset these costs, Florida offers incentives such as the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides matching funds for storm-proofing upgrades. These subsidies aim to make resilient roofing more accessible, but many homeowners' financial burden remains a concern.

Implications for Roofing Contractors

The potential shift away from asphalt shingles presents both challenges and opportunities for Florida’s roofing contractors:

• Skill Development: Contractors may need training to install alternative materials like metal and ceramic tiles.
• Market Demand: Rising homeowner awareness of storm resilience could increase demand for premium roofing options and certifications, such as those for FORTIFIED systems.
• Competition: More durable roofing options may reduce the frequency of replacements, potentially shrinking the overall market and intensifying competition.

The Bigger Picture: Florida’s Insurance Calamity

Yaworsky’s remarks come amid an insurance crisis in Florida. Over 30 home insurance providers exited the state in 2023, leaving many homeowners reliant on Citizens Property Insurance Corp., a state-backed insurer of last resort. With 1.3 million policies in force, Citizens now dominates the market but faces mounting financial strain. Addressing the state’s roofing standards is seen as a critical step toward stabilizing the troubled insurance industry.

Industry Perspectives

Not everyone agrees with the push to phase out asphalt shingles.

"The problem with other systems [besides asphalt] is they can get damaged more than shingles," explained Ty Smith, president of Smith & Ramirez Roofing based in El Paso, Texas, which contends with both the wind from hurricanes as well as severe weather like hail. Smith noted all shingles are not equal.

"Wind damage is not the only issue with roofs in storms," Smith wrote in an email. "Hail will damage a metal roof more than a shingle roof; cement and clay tile will break in hail [and] new shingles by GAF have an unlimited wind rating. Cheap shingles are the real problem for performance. They blow off in 'kite-flying' weather."

Billy Venhuizen, general manager of Hermitage Roofing in Mangonia Park, criticized insurers for requiring homeowners to replace roofs based solely on their age, even when no visible damage exists. He also questioned whether switching to more expensive materials like tile or metal would truly solve affordability issues.

“Tile is 50% more [than asphalt shingles], and metal is even more—about 65% more,” he noted. “Not everyone can afford a $23,000 new roof.”

The Road Ahead

While the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has no immediate plans to revise insurance market rules, Yaworsky’s comments signal a potential shift in state priorities. For roofing contractors, staying ahead of these changes by diversifying skills and embracing resilient options will be key to navigating Florida’s evolving roofing landscape.