Roofing FAQs
COMMON ROOFING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
About Our Company
- In business since: 1990
- Service Areas: Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs/Bonita Beach, Estero, Golden Gate, Fort Myers, all of Collier County and Lee County
- Licensing: We are a licensed Florida Roofing Contractor
- # CCC1332482 | # CAC1821486
- Insured by FRSA Florida Roofing and Sheetmetal Association
- BBB Better Business Bureau A+ Accredited Business
- Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
We proudly service the Southwest Florida area, all of Collier County and Lee County, including: Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs/Bonita Beach, Estero, Golden Gate, Fort Myers
With decades of experience serving Southwest Florida homeowners, property managers, and businesses, Amherst Roofing combines industry expertise with local insight.
We understand the challenges of maintaining roofs in our unique climate and pride ourselves on transparent communication, reliable scheduling, and honest assessments.
Each inspection is performed with professionalism and care — because protecting your property starts from the top down.
NO. We provide written estimates free of charge. Amherst will visit your home or business and provide you with a free estimate for services.
Roof Inspections
Regular roof inspections are one of the most effective ways to protect your property investment — especially in Florida, where roofs face year-round exposure to heat, humidity, and sudden storms. At Amherst Roofing, we offer annual, semi-annual, and quarterly inspection programs designed to catch small issues before they become costly problems. Our certified roofing professionals thoroughly assess your roof’s condition, document any concerns, and provide clear recommendations for maintenance or repair.
Florida’s climate is both beautiful and demanding. The combination of intense UV exposure, high winds, salt air, and heavy rainfall can quickly wear down roofing materials. Regular inspections help identify damage from storms, debris, or aging — ensuring your roof continues to perform safely and efficiently. Proactive care not only extends the life of your roof but also helps maintain manufacturer warranties and reduces the likelihood of emergency repairs.
Each roof inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of your roofing system and its supporting components. Our process typically includes:
- Visual inspection of shingles, tiles, or metal panels for cracks, lifting, or wear.
- Checking for leaks, water stains, or soft spots on the roof deck.
- Inspection of flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights for seal integrity.
- Assessment of gutters, drains, and downspouts for clogs or poor drainage.
- Examination of ridge caps, seams, and penetrations for signs of deterioration.
- Review of attic ventilation and insulation where accessible.
- Documentation of all findings with photos and professional recommendations.
Following the inspection, we provide a detailed report outlining your roof’s current condition, potential risks, and any preventative maintenance or repairs suggested.
Because Florida’s weather can change quickly, we recommend:
- Quarterly inspections for coastal or commercial properties exposed to high winds and salt air.
- Semi-annual inspections for residential properties, typically before and after hurricane season.
- Annual inspections for newer roofs or those under warranty, to ensure continued coverage and compliance.
Our flexible service plans can be customized to fit your property’s specific needs and maintenance schedule.
Homeowner Roofing Questions
Issues are often discovered after leaks or damage occur. Inspect twice a year and after major storms. Look for: cracked/warped/missing shingles; loose seams; deteriorated flashing; granules in gutters/downspouts; inside: cracked paint, discolored drywall/plasterboard, peeling wallpaper.
Not always. Leaks often come from loose/damaged flashing or a localized area. A complete system failure—typically from improper design, materials selection, or installation—usually requires replacement.
(a) Full tear‑off and replacement; or (b) Recover/overlay over the existing roof but not recommended. Code limits: Most Florida jurisdictions allow no more than two roof layers. If a recover has already been installed, a full tear‑off is usually required.
Roofing is hazardous and technically demanding. DIY can void manufacturer warranties and risk injury. Homeowner maintenance should be limited to visual checks (fall/spring) and gutter cleaning. If you must view the roof, use a tied‑off ladder with rubber feet; wear rubber‑soled shoes; avoid walking on the roof.
Depends on materials, design, installation quality, maintenance, and Florida’s hot/humid climate. Typical ranges:
- Asphalt shingles: ~15–20 years (Florida often shorter than brochure warranties)
- Architectural/laminated shingles: often longer than 3‑tab
- Wood shingles/shakes: ~10–40 years
- Clay/Concrete tile: 20+ years
- Metal: 15–40+ years
- Slate: 30–100+ years
Varies by material, roof size/slope/complexity, tear‑off needs, underlayment type, local labor rates, time of year, permits, and inspections. Obtain 3–4 proposals from reputable licensed contractors. Balance price with workmanship quality, materials grade, and warranty.
Annual Cost = (Total Cost: materials + labor) ÷ (Expected service life in years).
Underlayment is the secondary water‑shedding layer beneath the roof covering. Types include mechanically fastened felt (e.g., 30#) and self‑adhered “peel‑and‑stick.” Many insurers view direct‑to‑deck self‑adhered as a Secondary Water Barrier (SWB).
Consider professional cleaning and/or periodic algaecide treatments (e.g., Roof‑A‑Cide®) applied every ~2 years by approved installers; DIY chemical washing can damage materials and void warranties.
Permits & Inspections: Every installation requires permits; permits should be posted; insist on proof of passed inspections before final payment.
Licensing: Verify Florida state roofing license (not just occupational license). Check with DBPR (myfloridalicense.com) and local building departments.
Insurance: Contractor should carry liability and Worker’s Compensation (residential crews have high injury rates per dollar volume—protect yourself). Request certificates in the company’s name and verify with the agent.
Bonding: Bonds exist but limits may be small relative to large backlogs; do not rely on bonds alone.
Payments & Liens: Avoid paying ahead of work performed; obtain Contractor and Material Supplier Lien Releases with payments; understand Notice to Owner timelines.
Contract Clarity: Include scope, materials with Florida Product Approvals, schedule, wood replacement allowances, cleanup, warranties, and who performs work (employees vs. subs).
Preparing for a Roof Installation and Replacement
- Select a licensed/insured contractor you trust.
- Choose system (shingle, metal, tile, etc.) with pros/cons, budget, appearance, approvals.
- Inspect substrate; replace damaged wood; re‑fasten deck to code‑plus.
- Underlayment install (felt +/or self‑adhered) with Florida wind/water considerations.
- Metalwork & flashing (chimneys, vents, skylights; drip edge; proper lapping/miters).
- Roof covering install (starter, layout/chalk lines, valleys, hips/ridges, nailing schedule).
- Ventilation (ridge/off‑ridge/solar) sized correctly.
- Final inspection & cleanup.
Small single‑family shingle roofs can often be completed in about a day; tile/metal or larger/complex roofs may take multiple days to weeks, depending on weather, inspections, and scope.
Remove fragile items from walls/shelves (vibration from nailing), clear driveway and perimeter for material staging and dumpster. Contractor should protect the driveway (e.g., plywood sheets) and landscaping and secure the home weather‑tight overnight if multi‑day.
Roofing is messy but should be managed. We protect shrubs/landscaping; daily clean‑ups are performed; debris is hauled to the landfill; magnets used to retrieve nails/fasteners.
Yes. Shingle, metal, and tile now come in broad color palettes and profiles. We’ll provide options aligned to your home’s architecture and neighborhood standards.
Sometimes. Preferred method is tear‑off to inspect the deck and remove wet/unstable materials. If recovering, the structure must support added weight, insulation cannot be wet, and attachment must meet wind‑load requirements. Code generally prohibits more than two layers.
Southwest Florida Roofing Questions
Hurricane & Insurance
A wind‑mit report documents features like deck re‑nailing, roof‑to‑wall connections, secondary water barrier, and roof shape. Stronger features can qualify for premium credits.
Hip roofs generally perform better because they present fewer broad faces to the wind.
They add debris resistance and often carry higher wind ratings; some insurers view them favorably in underwriting. Not typically available in our region.
Simple reroofs can move quickly; structural or historic cases take longer. We handle submittals and track approvals for you.
Look for displaced tiles/shingles/panels, cracked ridge caps, lifted flashing, debris in valleys, and granules in downspouts; schedule a post‑storm inspection.
Coastal & Corrosion
Stainless or premium‑coated fasteners and marine‑grade finishes on metals; aluminum/copper/galvalume components resist corrosion better than bare steel.
All can work if engineered for wind and corrosion. Metal excels with the right alloy/finish; tile is durable but heavy; shingles are budget‑friendly with upgraded wind ratings.
It can dull or pit inferior coatings. Marine‑grade finishes and periodic rinsing (within ~1 mile of the gulf) extend finish life.
Valleys concentrate water flow; properly sized, corrosion‑resistant valley metal with correct lapping prevents overflow and wear.
Drip edge directs water into gutters and protects fascia. We align gutter hangers to the new drip edge and confirm downspout flow.
Ventilation & Energy
With solid decking, quality underlayment, and insulation, sound is comparable to shingles.
Yes—reflective “cool” finishes reduce attic temperatures and AC load.
Ridge vents offer continuous exhaust; off‑ridge vents are discrete outlets; solar fans actively pull air. All must be balanced with adequate intake (soffit) ventilation.
Rule of thumb: 1:150 net free vent area to attic floor area, or 1:300 with a balanced, properly detailed system. This is typically part of the initial design of the home. In a reroofing situation venting is typically replaced like for like. In order to determine if additional venting is needed you would need to consult with an engineer to determine this.
Improved ventilation, sealed penetrations, and reflective surfaces can reduce attic heat and moisture migration and improve comfort.
Solar & Skylights
Yes—typically reroof first, then install solar with flashed standoffs and planned wire paths.
Yes they will need to be removed and reinstalled by a Solar Contractor—panels and racking are temporarily removed and re‑installed after the new roof is installed.
Ideal time—hurricane‑rated, self‑flashing skylights integrate cleanly with new underlayment and flashing.
No. They don’t increase strike likelihood and they’re non‑combustible; lightning protection can be added and properly flashed.
Materials & Design Details
Sometimes. If an exact match isn’t available, replacing a full section or slope may be needed for visual consistency.
Yes. Products have minimum/maximum slope limits and specific valley/underlayment details for steep pitches.
TPO, modified bitumen, and coatings—selection depends on ponding risk, traffic, reflectivity goals, and budget.
Often, if the substrate is sound. Elastomeric and silicone coatings add reflectivity and waterproofing; surface prep and adhesion are critical.
Usually not recommended due to breakage risk, discontinued profiles, and warranty implications.
Logistics & Project Management
Florida has no true “off‑season.” Roofers schedule around rain and secure underlayment first.
Consider reroofing when:
- Leaks are numerous or persistent despite repairs
- Repairs spawn new leaks or worsen issues
- Tolerance for leaks is low (occupied spaces, valuables)
- Often it’s better to reinvest in reroofing at the right juncture than to repeatedly repair a failing system.
Driveway/paver protection boards, tarp coverings for sensitive areas, controlled debris zones, daily cleanups, and magnetic sweeps.
We provide photos and a unit‑priced change order (per sheet/linear foot) This pricing is found in the Terms and Conditions in the contract.
Yes—work is sectioned and underlayment is secured the same day to dry‑in; weather windows guide daily production.
Yes—options vary by project; many customers use milestone draws (signed contract, dry in, roof installation completion).
Potentially near eaves/attic. We flag and protect known lines, home owner will need to coordinate dish re‑aiming with their service provider.
We can assist with ARC/HOA submittals and handle permit applications, posting, and close‑out inspections.