Hello Tim,
I am building a house in North Port,FL. I need a mildew resistent shingle that will last longer than 10 years, because I am told that an asphalt roof only lasts 10 years in this region.
Connie
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Connie,
Whoever told you asphalt shingles only last ten years in Florida has been out in the sun way too long. Turn this person over as they are done on the top side.
The trick to long asphalt shingle life in tropical climates is a steeper pitched roof than normal. Many Florida roofs I have seen seem to be only a 4/12 pitch. A 6 or even 7/12 pitch roof allows water and dew to get off the roof sooner. This will help to a slight degree. Keeping the roof deck as cool as possible also helps extend the life of asphalt shingles. If your building codes permit them, install 4 or 5 turbine vents. These devices work well in your breezy climate and will move lots of air through the attic space so long as you have continuous soffit ventilation.
As for the shingles, simply buy a top-of-the-line shingle that contains the copper granules that prevent roof algae.
Tim Carter
www.askthebuilder.com
W3ATB