FAS Exteriors

09/25/2026

Shingle, metal, or tile: which roof is best for a Florida home?

Hurricane season runs through November 30. If your roof's due for replacement, the material you choose affects more than storm protection. It also shapes your insurance premium, your energy bills, and how long until your next replacement.

Here's how the main options compare:

* Class 4 impact-resistant shingles: 130-150 mph wind rating, 20-30 year lifespan, approx. $5-8 per sq ft installed - best overall value for most Florida homeowners
* Metal standing seam: up to 180 mph, 40-70 years, $7.50-14 per sq ft; exempt from 15-year insurance age rule and can cut cooling costs 10-25%
* Concrete and clay tile: 150-180 mph when mechanically fastened, 40-100+ years, $7-15 per sq ft., heavy enough that some older homes need structural reinforcement first

One thing most homeowners miss: material alone doesn't decide how a roof holds up. Most hurricane failures start at the edges, ridges, and flashing so installation quality matters as much as the product on the estimate.

Free in-home roof assessments across Orlando, Tampa, Winter Park, and Central Florida. Call 866-737-7173.

Read more: https://fasexteriors.com/blog/best-roofing-material-for-florida-homes/

09/17/2026

Choosing between a fiberglass and a steel entry door? In Central Florida, the decision comes down to what you value most: lifespan or upfront cost.

* Fiberglass doors typically last 30-50+ years and never rust, making them a strong match for Florida's heat and humidity, but cost $1,200-3,500 to install.
* Steel doors cost less to install: $500-1,000 and offer the best forced-entry protection, but need regular attention to prevent rust once the coating's scratched.

Neither's a wrong choice; it depends on your budget, how exposed your entryway is, and whether security or longevity matters more to you.

👉 See: https://fasexteriors.com/blog/fiberglass-vs-steel-entry-doors/

06/26/2026

Florida's heat doesn't take a day off, and neither should your roof.

Energy-efficient roofing can cut AC costs by up to 15% in single-story homes. In Orlando, Tampa, and Winter Park, a dark traditional shingle roof can hit 150°F+ in summer, pushing that heat straight into your attic and your utility bill.

The fix? Materials built for Florida's climate: metal, tile, TPO, and reflective asphalt shingles. Want to know which one fits your home and budget?

Check out our blog post: https://www.faswd.com/blog/energy-efficient-roofing-in-florida/

05/16/2026

Do you know whether your home is required to have impact windows? 🌀

The short answer: "It depends on your zip code." But even contractors get this wrong all the time. Here's what the current Florida Building Code says:

* Miami-Dade & Broward (HVHZ): required, no exceptions
* Within 1 mile of the coast with 130+ mph wind speeds: required
* Pinellas County (Palm Harbor area): almost entirely WBDR territory
* Tampa/Hillsborough: depends on your specific parcel
❌ Most of Orlando & Winter Park: not legally required, but many install anyway for insurance discounts of 15-45%

The trap most homeowners fall into: replacing 1985-era windows with nonimpact products when your zone now requires them. "Like-for-like" doesn't fly anymore.

Get the info. you need on WBDR maps, HVHZ rules, certification differences (NOA vs. FL #), and what new construction vs. replacement triggers in our guide. If you're planning a window project in 2026, give it a read before you sign anything.

👉 https://www.faswd.com/blog/where-are-impact-windows-required-in-florida/

Serving Orlando, Tampa, Palm Harbor, and Winter Park. Free in-home assessments; we pull the code requirements for your exact address.

Where are impact windows required in Florida? A 2026 guide to the building code, HVHZ zones, and county rules.

05/08/2026

20-year roof materials up north only last 12-to-15 years in Florida.

Our state's UV, humidity, and salt air double the wear rate on every exterior component of your home, which's why a generic maintenance "to do" list won't cut it here.

We put together a Florida-specific checklist covering your roof, windows, and doors along with a seasonal calendar built around our actual hurricane window: June 1 – November 30.

Full checklist on the blog: https://www.faswd.com/blog/florida-home-exterior-maintenance-checklist/

05/02/2026

If you live in Orlando, Winter Park, Tampa, or Palm Harbor, your patio door is doing more work than you realize. Six months of hurricane season, year-round UV, salt air on the coast, and humidity that warps anything not built for it. The wrong door is the kind of mistake that doesn't show up until a storm or a summer cooling bill makes it obvious.

We put together a full guide on choosing the best patio doors for Florida homes — what the building code actually requires, how impact glass works, which frame materials hold up here, and what to ask a contractor before you sign anything.

Read it here: https://www.faswd.com/blog/best-patio-doors-for-florida-homes/