By Tibor Torok
In Florida, the roof over your head is your first line of defense against the elements. In Florida, we know that hurricane season isn’t something you prepare for once. It’s a year-round mindset. With over 40 years in the roofing industry, I stand behind asphalt shingles as a smart, effective solution for homeowners to protect their homes and families. They’re durable. They’re cost-effective and when installed properly, they perform exceptionally well – even under the most challenging weather conditions. Asphalt shingles protect the majority of homes in Florida for a reason: they work.
I have worked on thousands of roofs from Port Charlotte up to Winterhaven, across to Port Saint Lucie to Key West. I've seen first-hand how well-built shingle roofs stand up to Florida’s punishing conditions. We’re talking heat, humidity, torrential downpours, and yes, hurricane-force winds. With proper installation in compliance with the Florida Building Code, asphalt shingles hold up.
In recent years, some in the insurance industry have floated the idea of limiting the use of shingles, suggesting that pricier alternatives would somehow reduce claims. But let’s be honest: if 75% of Florida homes use shingles, of course they’re going to appear more often in claims data. That’s not a failure, it’s scale.
Andrew, Charlie, Katrina,Irma, Micheal, Milton, I could go on; Hurricanes over the last 20 plus years have ravaged most of Florida. If we have not suffered the damage and loss firsthand, we all know of someone who has. What gets lost in this conversation is the practical impact on working families. Asphalt shingles offer proven protection without breaking the bank. More expensive roofing options may be suitable for some, but restricting access to affordable materials like shingles would drive up costs and limit choice for the vast majority of Floridians.
Our industry isn’t stuck in the past. Asphalt shingle and underlayment technology has advanced significantly over the last two decades. The underlayments are stronger, more water resistant, and today’s shingles are tougher, more wind-resistant, and longer-lasting than ever before. The self-adhering underlayments, asphaltic adhesive strip on the shingle overlap, and enhanced shingle nailing with ringshank nails properly installed by professional roofing contractors around the state make an economical solution for the average homeowner to protect their property and loved ones from the elements.
I believe in protecting what matters most; as a roofing contractor, that means defending the materials and practices that serve our communities well. Instead of limiting consumer choice, Florida should focus on strengthening building enforcement and improving installer training. If we take these important steps, asphalt shingles will continue to prove their worth – and families won’t be burdened with expensive roof requirements they cannot afford.
This hurricane season let’s keep the focus where it belongs: on smart, affordable protection for
Florida families.
Tibor Torok is a Marine Corps veteran, Florida Certified Roofing Contractor, the President of Bob Hilson & Company Inc.,and this year's president of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association.
