Island properties offer picturesque views, close proximity to the beach and all the vibrant experiences that come with tropical life. But with that tropical placement comes unique architectural concerns and designs. From providing aesthetic appeal to offering resistance to high winds and moisture, island roofing has a unique job to do.
There are a lot of popular materials to choose from when deciding on a roofing material for island properties, but how do you know which one is the best for your building or home? In this guide, we've outlined some of our favorites to show you how they stack up.
Our Top Choices for Island Roofing
When it comes to roofing for island property, you need to consider several characteristics, such as:
Durability: Tropical weather isn't always calm and peaceful. Your roofing will need to hold up to a variety of conditions over time, including hurricanes, moisture and high winds.
Appearance: Does the look of your home or building match the roof material? Most wood roofs come in several colors and tones, but some match better than others.
Maintenance: Not every roof material will stay looking good-as-new after a few decades. Some roofing offers low-maintenance characteristics, so you can save time and money keeping it fresh over the years.
Cost: Of course, your budget will play a role in which material you can use, but don't discount the value that a durable, long-lasting roof can provide over time.
The following popular roofing materials behave differently, but both offer stunning appearances that are perfect for many types of island homes and buildings.
Here are our favorite materials for island roofing:
1. Teak
Teak shingles and shakes make for a delightful island aesthetic on any home. It's easy to find colors that match, as they include muted golds, tans and coppers with grain highlights in silver-gray and brown. We also offer a wide variety of shapes, such as tapered or ridge forms.
Here are a few more reasons we're partial to teak island roofing:
Durability: Teak roofing makes excellent use of the natural water and mold-resistant properties of the Asian mint tree from which teak is sourced. In a hot, humid environment, keeping mold and mildew at bay is a necessary quality of building materials. It can also help them avoid warping, as teak expands and contracts with the weather. Best of all? These features are built-in, and teak shingles are incredibly low-maintenance.
Lifespan: When you use teak on island properties, you get one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. Teak often lasts between 50 and 80 years.
Eco-friendly: Another plus for teak shingles is that the wood is eco-friendly. This natural material is processed in a way that isn't taxing on the environment. Its long-lasting nature allows you to minimize waste, too.
2. Wallaba
Another material that looks right at home on island properties is Wallaba. This rich, South American wood is popular across the globe, but especially in the tropics. Its deep red color and straight grain pattern are a major reason for its popularity, and you can use it for other parts of the home, too, like decks and fencing. While our Royalwood™ Wallaba starts off as a gorgeous red color, it later develops an elegant silver sheen.
Of course, the look isn't the only reason people love this material. Here are a few more benefits of Wallaba roofing for island property:
Durability: Like teak, Royalwood™ Wallaba offers exceptional characteristics for resistance without the need for added chemicals or maintenance. Wallaba is naturally resistant to fire, decay and insects. It also holds its own against mold and mildew with minimal need for maintenance.
Lifespan: With this natural resistance comes a long-lasting product, even in extreme temperatures, wind and storms. You can expect Royalwood™ Wallaba roofing to last about 40 years or more.
We can make our Royalwood™ Wallaba shingles and shakes in a variety of lengths and shapes and can add decorative profiles such as a fish scale or dragon's tooth cut. Like our teakwood, our Wallaba is sustainably sourced — it's milled in Guyana where the wood is abundant. We can responsibly harvest wood without damaging the environment or over-inflating prices.
Thatch Roofing
While teak and Wallaba are common across island landscapes, another popular choice is thatch. Thatch offers a particularly island-like aesthetic, invoking thoughts of beaches and fruity drinks. While traditionally made from dried reeds and straw, Endureed®, a synthetic thatch, seamlessly mimics the look of natural thatch while providing a Class A Fire rating and little to no maintenance. A synthetic thatch roof can help in achieving a specific look for smaller buildings, like tiki huts and shacks. You can learn more about the material at Huber Roofing.
Importance of Island Roofing
Regardless of what material you choose, island life involves harsh climates that your roof will need to stand up to. Your best bet is to use a material that offers exceptional durability.
Here are some of the dangers that your tropical rooftop may encounter:
High winds: While that cool sea breeze may feel refreshing, too much of it can take its toll on a roof. Tropical storms are especially damaging, and hurricanes can bring winds of more than 74 mph. You need a strong roof and expert installation to ensure it can stand up to this weather.
Rain: In a humid climate, rain can be more damaging than you may think. If it breaks through the material, you can get leaks throughout the building. A saturated roof can also lead to warping and damage to the material itself.
Sun: The long sunny days on an island expose your roof to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays can damage the material over time, and a dark roof can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit or more on a sunny day, putting stress on the product and heating up the building. Materials that stand up to significant temperature changes are a must-have.
Insects: Some woods are easier for bugs to destroy than others. Some treatments can keep bugs away, but so can a wood that is naturally bug-resistant.
Contact Custom Shingles to Discuss Your Island Residence Roofing
If your island property is ready for a new roof, the experts at Custom Shingles are happy to help. We've been working with island properties for years and understand their unique demands. Teak and Royalwood™ Wallaba are two of our specialties. From color selection to installation, we've got you covered.
Our portfolio speaks for itself, with projects and products appearing in publications like Vogue, Better Homes and Gardens and Country Living. To learn more about why Custom Shingles is the place to go for your roofing needs, contact us today.