Across Florida, some shingle-only roofing contractors are trying to scare homeowners into avoiding metal roofs by misrepresenting Florida’s insurance law—specifically the 15-year roof rule in Florida Statute § 627.7011(5).
They’ll tell you: “Metal roofs only last 15 years under this statute, so don’t waste your money.”
Let’s be clear: that is 100% false. It’s not in the law, it’s not in the insurance regulations, and it’s not in reality. It’s a scare tactic by contractors who don’t install metal and don’t want to lose business to roofers who do.
It’s time homeowners had the facts.
What the Florida 15-Year Roof Rule Actually Says
Here’s the truth straight from the law (Florida Statute § 627.7011(5)):
- If your roof is less than 15 years old → Your insurer cannot refuse coverage based on age.
- If your roof is 15 years old or older → You can get an inspection by a licensed professional. If the inspection shows your roof still has 5 or more years of useful life left, the insurer cannot deny or nonrenew your policy just because of age.
That’s it. The statute is completely material-neutral. It doesn’t say “metal roofs must be replaced at 15 years.” It doesn’t single out shingles, tile, or metal. It simply sets a fair rule: if your roof is sound and has life left, insurers cannot automatically cancel you.
The Longevity of Metal Roofs vs. Shingles
Now let’s look at real-world performance.
- Asphalt shingles: 12–20 years (in Florida, usually on the low end because of heat, humidity, and storms).
- Metal roofing: 40–70 years, often longer depending on the profile, coating, and installation quality.
When shingle-only roofers say metal roofs “only last 15 years,” they’re ignoring decades of engineering data, lab testing, and actual Florida homeowners who have had their metal roofs for 30–50 years and counting.
In fact, metal roofs regularly outlive the mortgage on a home. Shingles rarely do.
Insurance Companies Reward Metal Roofs
Here’s another fact the shingle guys won’t tell you: insurance companies give discounts for metal roofs.
Why? Because the data shows metal roofs:
- Are far more resistant to wind uplift (critical in hurricane-prone Florida).
- Are noncombustible, reducing fire risk.
- Suffer far less damage from hail and storms compared to asphalt.
Many carriers offer premium credits for homeowners with qualifying metal roofs—meaning your roof investment pays you back in lower insurance bills every single year.
Florida Recognizes Metal as Hurricane Protection
The State of Florida itself has recognized the unmatched protection of metal roofing. That’s why:
- Metal roofs are included in Florida’s hurricane mitigation programs as a proven protective upgrade.
- Building codes across coastal Florida recognize and even recommend metal systems as superior against high winds.
- When hurricanes rip through the state, news cameras show the same pattern over and over: shingles flying off, while the metal roofs are still intact.
So when someone tells you a metal roof “only lasts 15 years,” ask yourself: why would the state designate them as hurricane protection if that were true?
HOA Laws Now Protect Your Right to Choose Metal
In recent years, Florida also passed legislation making it clear that Homeowners Associations (HOAs) cannot ban metal roofs just because they want “uniform shingle appearances.”
Lawmakers stepped in because too many HOAs were stopping residents from upgrading to safer, longer-lasting roofs. The law now protects your right to put on a metal roof—because legislators know metal is not just durable, it’s a matter of homeowner safety.
Why Are Shingle-Only Roofers Spreading Misinformation?
The answer is simple: fear of competition.
- They know shingles fail faster.
- They know shingles need more replacements.
- They know homeowners are catching on.
Metal roofs cut into their cycle of ripping off and replacing shingles every 12–15 years. So instead of investing in training and equipment to install metal, some shingle-only contractors spread falsehoods about the law—hoping to scare you back into another shingle job.
But the law doesn’t back them. The insurance companies don’t back them. And the science of roofing performance doesn’t back them.
Gulf Coast Supply: Giving Homeowners the Truth
At Gulf Coast Supply, we’ve supplied thousands of metal roofs across Florida for decades. We’ve seen storms wipe neighborhoods clean of shingles—while metal roofs kept families safe, homes dry, and insurance claims minimal.
We’ll say it plainly:
- Florida law does not cap metal roofs at 15 years.
- Metal roofs regularly last 50+ years.
- Insurance companies and the state of Florida reward and protect metal roofing.
If a contractor tells you otherwise, they’re not giving you facts. They’re giving you fear.
Final Word: Don’t Fall for the Shingle-Only Sales Pitch
Homeowners deserve the truth:
- The 15-year rule is about fair insurance practices, not forced replacement.
- Metal roofing is the gold standard in Florida—long life, hurricane protection, energy efficiency, and insurance discounts.
- The state itself has protected your right to choose metal by requiring HOAs to allow it.
So the next time a shingle-only roofer says “metal roofs don’t make sense because of the law,” ask them to show you the statute. Spoiler alert: they can’t.
Choose facts. Choose safety. Choose longevity. Choose metal roofing from Gulf Coast Supply.