Roofing is one of the most critical phases in new home construction — and one of the most frequently underplanned. In Florida, where the building code is among the most demanding in the nation, getting the roof right on a new build requires careful material selection, precise coordination with other trades, and deep knowledge of permitting requirements. Whether you are a production builder, a custom home builder, or a general contractor managing new construction, this guide covers what you need to know.
Where Roofing Falls in the Construction Timeline
In the typical Florida new construction sequence, roofing happens after framing, sheathing, and rough mechanical (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) are complete. The standard sequence is foundation, framing, roof truss installation, roof deck sheathing, roofing underlayment and material installation, then windows and doors. The roof must be dried in — meaning the underlayment is installed and the structure is weather-tight — before interior work can begin. In Florida's rain-heavy climate, any delay in getting the roof dried in exposes the entire structure to water damage.
This means roofing is on the critical path of every new construction project. A delay in roofing delays everything downstream: insulation, drywall, painting, flooring, cabinetry, and finishes. Builders who treat roofing as an afterthought — selecting a roofer at the last minute or failing to order materials early enough — pay for it with schedule overruns and water damage to exposed framing.
The smart approach is to engage your roofing contractor during the design phase, before the first shovel hits the ground. This allows the roofer to review the architectural plans, confirm that the truss design supports the intended roofing material, identify any design elements that will create roofing challenges (complex valleys, low slopes, unusual penetrations), and order materials with adequate lead time.
Material Selection for New Builds
Choosing the right roofing material for a new construction project involves balancing cost, durability, aesthetics, structural requirements, and code compliance. In South Florida, the three primary options are concrete tile, standing seam metal, and architectural shingles. Each has distinct advantages and trade-offs for new construction.
**Concrete tile** is the traditional choice for South Florida new construction, particularly in HOA-governed communities where architectural standards often specify tile. Concrete tile offers excellent hurricane performance with wind ratings exceeding 150 mph when properly installed, a lifespan of 40-50 years, and a classic Florida aesthetic that appeals to buyers. The trade-off is weight — concrete tile is the heaviest residential roofing material, weighing 900-1,100 pounds per square (100 sq ft). This weight must be accounted for in the truss engineering, which adds cost to the framing package. For new construction, this is a design decision, not a retrofit challenge — the trusses are engineered for the load from the start.
**Standing seam metal** has gained significant market share in new Florida construction over the past five years. Metal roofs offer the longest lifespan of any residential material (50-70 years), superior wind resistance with ratings of 140-180 mph, excellent energy efficiency through solar reflectivity, and a modern aesthetic that appeals to contemporary and coastal home designs. Metal is significantly lighter than tile — 100-150 pounds per square — which reduces structural requirements and can lower framing costs. The material cost per square foot is higher than shingles but comparable to mid-range tile when you factor in the reduced structural requirements.
**Architectural shingles** are the most economical option for new construction and remain popular for production homes and spec builds where cost control is critical. High-quality architectural shingles with Class H or F wind ratings (130+ mph) meet Florida Building Code requirements and provide reliable performance for 25-30 years. Shingles are the lightest roofing option at 200-350 pounds per square, require the least structural support, and offer the fastest installation time — all factors that appeal to production builders managing tight schedules and budgets.
Florida Building Code Requirements for New Construction Roofing
The Florida Building Code (FBC), 7th Edition, establishes minimum requirements for all new construction roofing in the state. These requirements are significantly more stringent than the International Building Code used in most other states, reflecting Florida's unique hurricane and severe weather exposure.
Wind resistance. All roofing materials and their attachment methods must meet the wind speed requirements for the project's specific location. Florida is divided into wind speed zones, and the required design wind speed for your project location determines the nailing pattern, fastener type, and attachment method for every roofing component. In the HVHZ — which covers all of Miami-Dade County and portions of Broward County — requirements are even more stringent, including enhanced testing protocols and product approvals specific to the HVHZ zone.
Underlayment. The FBC requires specific underlayment types and installation methods based on the roof slope and wind zone. For most new construction in South Florida, this means a minimum of one layer of ASTM D226 Type II (30-pound) felt or an approved synthetic underlayment, with self-adhering modified bitumen at the first three feet from the eave edge in enhanced wind zones. In the HVHZ, the underlayment requirements are more restrictive and include mechanical fastening schedules that exceed the rest of the state.
Deck attachment. The roof deck — typically plywood or OSB sheathing — must be fastened to the trusses according to a specific nailing schedule that accounts for the design wind speed. This is a framing detail, not a roofing detail, but the roofer should verify that the deck fastening meets code before installing any roofing materials. Improperly fastened decking is one of the leading causes of roof failure during hurricanes.
Product approvals. Every roofing product used in Florida must have a valid Florida Product Approval (either statewide or Miami-Dade county-specific for HVHZ projects). This includes the roofing material itself, the underlayment, the drip edge, the flashing, pipe boots, ridge vents, and every accessory. Your roofer should provide a complete product approval list as part of the permit package.
HVHZ: The Highest Standard in the Nation
If your new construction project is in Miami-Dade County or the HVHZ portions of Broward County, you are building to the most demanding residential roofing standard in the United States. The High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements include wind resistance testing under the Miami-Dade protocols (NOA — Notice of Acceptance), which are more rigorous than standard Florida Product Approvals; enhanced underlayment requirements with specific peel-and-stick application at all eaves, rakes, and penetrations; more stringent nailing schedules for both the roof deck and the roofing material; and specific requirements for ridge and hip attachment.
Building in the HVHZ costs more — typically 10-20% more for the roofing package — but it produces a roof system that is engineered to withstand the most extreme wind conditions in the continental United States. For new construction, these requirements are simply part of the design specifications and should be accounted for in the project budget from the beginning.
Coordinating Roofing with Other Trades
One of the biggest challenges in new construction roofing is coordination with other trades that are working on or through the roof. Poor coordination leads to scheduling conflicts, rework, and costly change orders. Here are the critical coordination points:
Framing. The truss layout must accommodate the roofing material's weight and attachment requirements. The roofer and framer need to agree on truss spacing, overhang dimensions, fascia board sizing, and any specialty framing for dormers, valleys, or architectural features. This coordination should happen during the design phase.
HVAC. Rooftop HVAC equipment, ductwork penetrations, and exhaust vents must be located and sized before the roof deck is installed. The roofer needs to know exactly where every penetration will be so they can plan flashing details and maintain proper clearances. HVAC curbs and supports should be installed before roofing begins, not cut in after the fact.
Plumbing. Plumbing vent pipes penetrate the roof and require individual flashing and waterproofing. The plumber should mark vent locations on the deck so the roofer can plan pipe boot placement. In ideal coordination, the plumber rough-ins the vent stacks before the roofer begins, so the roofer can flash each penetration as part of the continuous roofing process.
Electrical and solar. If the home will have rooftop solar panels, the roofer needs to know the panel layout, mounting system type, and conduit routing before installation begins. Solar attachment points must be waterproofed with the same level of care as any other roof penetration — and it is far easier (and cheaper) to do this during initial roofing than as a retrofit. Electrical conduit runs for solar should be coordinated with the electrician and routed before the roof deck is closed.
Choosing Between Tile, Metal, and Shingle for New Construction
The material decision for new construction should be driven by five factors: project type, target buyer, HOA requirements, budget, and long-term performance goals.
**Production homes in HOA communities** — Concrete tile is typically the default because HOA architectural standards usually require it. The truss engineering is built into the standard plan set, and material costs are predictable at scale. Builders who can negotiate volume pricing with tile manufacturers gain a meaningful cost advantage.
**Custom and luxury homes** — Standing seam metal is increasingly the material of choice for custom builds. The contemporary aesthetic, superior longevity, and energy efficiency align with the expectations of luxury home buyers. Metal also offers design flexibility — panels can be run vertically or horizontally, curved to follow architectural lines, and mixed with other materials for visual interest.
**Spec homes and investor builds** — Architectural shingles offer the best cost-per-unit economics for spec builders who need reliable performance at the lowest price point. A quality shingle with a 130+ mph wind rating meets all code requirements and satisfies insurance underwriting criteria. The 25-30 year lifespan is sufficient for the first owner, and shingle replacement is the most affordable re-roofing option when the time comes.
Permit Sequencing for New Construction Roofing
In Florida, roofing on a new construction project is covered under the master building permit for the project — it is not a separate permit like a re-roofing project. However, the roofing specifications must be included in the master permit application, and any changes to the roofing scope after the permit is issued require a revision or amendment to the permit.
The roofing inspection is typically a separate milestone within the overall construction inspection sequence. After the roof is installed, the building inspector performs a roofing inspection that verifies code compliance before the project can proceed to the next phase. If the roofing inspection fails, no downstream work should proceed until the issues are corrected and the inspection is passed.
This is another reason to choose your roofer early and carefully. A roofer who installs a code-compliant roof that passes inspection on the first try keeps your construction schedule on track. A roofer who cuts corners or misses code details creates a failed inspection that ripples through the entire project timeline.
Why Builders Should Choose Their Roofer Early
The roofer is not just another subcontractor — they are a critical partner in the construction process. Here is why early engagement matters:
Design input. An experienced roofer can identify design elements that will create roofing challenges — complex valley intersections, low-slope areas that require different waterproofing approaches, or aesthetic features that increase installation time and cost. Identifying these issues during design is cheap; fixing them during construction is expensive.
Material lead times. Custom tile profiles, specific metal panel colors, and specialty products have lead times of 2-6 weeks. If material ordering happens after framing is complete, the roofing phase starts late, and every downstream trade is delayed. Early roofer engagement ensures materials arrive on schedule.
Budget accuracy. A roofer who reviews the plans during preconstruction provides a more accurate bid than one who prices from plan takeoffs alone. Walking the site, understanding the builder's quality expectations, and discussing coordination logistics produces a bid that holds — reducing the risk of change orders during construction.
Quality and warranty. Builders who partner with the same roofing company across multiple projects develop a quality relationship that benefits every home they build. The roofer understands the builder's standards, the builder trusts the roofer's work, and homeowners receive a consistent, high-quality roof installation backed by a meaningful warranty.
At Goliath Roofing, we partner with builders across South Florida on new construction projects of every scale — from single custom homes to multi-phase production communities. We provide preconstruction support, coordinate seamlessly with other trades, and deliver code-compliant installations that pass inspection on the first visit. Contact us during your next project's design phase, and we will show you how early roofer engagement makes every build smoother.