Florida Keys Style Homes

Early settlers of The Florida Keys and the Bahamas built their homes to adapt to the tropical climate. The houses had features like sloping metal roofs to reflect the heat from the sun and collect clean rain water; dormers in the roof to ventilate heat; louvered shutters to block the sun while providing ventilation and hurricane protection; porches and verandas to provide shade and cut down on heat. With hurricanes becoming more frequent and soaring energy prices, there has been a trend to return to this practical architecture. I find this interesting.

Hurricane Wilma in 2005 did a great deal of building damage in my area of South Florida, especially to roofs. Traditional shingles and roof tiles went everywhere while those with metal roofs where virtually unscathed. I replaced my roof with metal and I love it. My house stays much cooler and the roof is guaranteed for fifty years. There is a myth that metal roofs are loud when rain hits it and I find that not true at all.