Top-Rated Roofers for Synthetic Tile Installation: How to Choose in Tampa

Vet a synthetic tile roofer in Tampa: license checks, Brava fastening rules that set warranty wind limits, Florida product approvals, and questions to ask.

By Hytz Roofing

2026-09-28

No public list ranks the "top-rated" synthetic tile roofers in Tampa, so the best installer is the one you can verify. Look for an active Florida roofing license, documented experience with the exact synthetic tile brand you want, installation to the manufacturer's high-wind specification, and proof that the manufacturer warranty gets registered. Star ratings help you build a shortlist, but they can't tell you whether a crew installed your tiles to the specification that keeps the wind coverage intact.

Key Takeaways

Star ratings are a starting point. They measure general customer satisfaction, not skill with a specific synthetic tile product.
With Brava Roof Tile, the wind limit in the manufacturer warranty depends on how the tiles are fastened. Brava's warranty caps wind coverage at 90, 110, or 130 mph "depending on actual installation specifications."
Brava says a certified installer isn't mandatory. What keeps the warranty valid is installation "in strict adherence to Brava's written installation instructions," plus registration within 30 days of completion.
Before you sign, verify the roofer's license on MyFloridaLicense.com and the tile's Florida Product Approval (FL#) on the Florida Building Commission database.

What makes a roofer "top-rated" for synthetic tile installation?

A top-rated synthetic tile roofer has three things going for it: a clean license and reputation, real installs of the specific synthetic product you're buying, and a habit of following that manufacturer's written instructions to the letter. The last one gets overlooked the most. Synthetic (composite) roof tiles are molded products that imitate clay barrel tile, slate, or cedar shake. Each manufacturer publishes its own fastening, spacing, underlayment, and slope rules, and they aren't the same as the rules for concrete or clay tile.

Online reviews still matter. A roofer with years of consistent reviews, visible responses to complaints, and photos of finished work is a better bet than one with a handful of five-star ratings and nothing else. A general rating just can't tell you whether the crew has ever installed a composite barrel tile. You find that out by asking the questions below.

Do you need a manufacturer-certified installer for synthetic tile?

For Brava Roof Tile, the answer is no, though experience with the product still counts. Brava's homeowner FAQ says certified installers aren't mandatory, that Brava endorses "Preferred Contractors experienced with their products," and that "Training for Brava installers is highly recommended." Brava's technical team offers online, remote, and in-plant training. The company also runs a "Find a BRAVA Roofing Contractor" directory on its website.

DaVinci Roofscapes, another major synthetic roofing brand, runs the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor (DMC) program. According to Westlake Royal Building Products, DaVinci's parent company, contractors have to be nominated by a local sales representative, carry liability insurance, complete training, and register at least one project per calendar year to stay active.

In practice, a manufacturer credential shows a roofer has been trained on the product. It doesn't replace checking the license, the permit, and how the tiles are fastened on your roof.

How does the installer affect a synthetic tile roof's warranty?

The installer's choices decide how much of the manufacturer warranty you can actually use. The Brava Roof Tile 50-year limited warranty (January 2024 version) spells this out in several places:

Installation method. The warranty excludes "improper installation or installation not in strict adherence to Brava's written installation instructions."
Wind limit. Brava is not liable for wind damage above "90, 110, or 130 mph depending on actual installation specifications," or for wind damage after the first 15 years.
Registration. The original owner has to complete warranty registration within 30 days of installation.
Hail. The tiles are rated UL 2218 Class 4 for impact. The warranty excludes hail larger than 1½ inches in diameter, as determined by the National Weather Service.
Transfer and proration. The warranty can be transferred once in the first 25 years, with a transfer form due within 30 days of the sale. After 120 months, remedies are prorated.

For a Tampa homeowner, the wind limit is the part to pin down. Two roofs with identical tiles can carry different wind coverage because of the fasteners the crew used.

Which Brava fastening method gives the highest wind coverage in Florida?

Screws installed to Brava's high-wind specification give the highest rating. Brava's Florida Building Code technical bulletin (TB-230502R2, revised August 2025) lists two #8 x 2" flat-head screws per tile as the high-wind installation. That method qualifies Brava's Spanish Barrel Tile at 130 mph with a 13-inch exposure. The same bulletin limits the ring-shank-nail option to 90 mph. Brava also recommends stainless steel fasteners within 10 miles of saltwater, which covers much of the Tampa Bay shoreline.

Brava Roof Tile fastening methods compared (source: Brava TB-230502R2 and Brava warranty)
Fastening method	Florida rating in Brava's bulletin	What it means for you
Two #8 x 2" corrosion-resistant screws per tile (high-wind)	130 mph	Highest wind tier in the Brava warranty. Ask for this in writing.
Corrosion-resistant ring-shank nails	90 mph	Lowest wind tier. A cheaper quote may be using this method.
Smooth-shank nails	Not permitted	Brava's FAQ says "DO NOT USE smooth shank roofing nails."

When you compare quotes, ask each roofer which fastening method, fastener material, and exposure they plan to use. A lower price sometimes means a lower wind tier.

Is Brava synthetic tile approved for the Florida Building Code?

Yes. Brava lists a Florida Product Approval for each product line. Cedar Shake is FL41880.1, Slate is FL41880.2, Spanish Barrel Tile is FL41880.3, and Flat Tile is FL41880.4. Three lines also hold Miami-Dade County Notices of Acceptance (NOAs). The Spanish Barrel Tile NOA (No. 24-0620.06) states the product was designed to comply with the Florida Building Code, including the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). That NOA expires April 28, 2027.

Under the Florida Building Code, the HVHZ covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties, so Tampa-area homes fall outside it. The Miami-Dade NOA still helps a Tampa homeowner. It is one of the strictest product tests in the country, and it spells out underlayment, deck thickness (15/32-inch or thicker plywood for re-roofing), and fastening details an installer should be able to explain.

You can confirm any product's status yourself. Enter the FL# on the Florida Building Commission's product approval search, and check that your roofer's permit application lists it.

What questions should you ask a synthetic tile roofer before signing?

These questions separate a roofer who knows synthetic tile from one who is learning on your house:

What is your Florida license number? Check it on MyFloridaLicense.com. A certified roofing contractor license starts with "CCC."
How many roofs with this exact product have you installed, and can I see addresses or photos of finished ones?
Has your crew had manufacturer training, and are you listed in the manufacturer's contractor directory?
Which fastening method, fastener material, and exposure will you use, and what wind rating does that give me under the warranty?
Which underlayment will you install, and does it meet the product approval? Brava notes its Class A fire rating depends on using a fire-rated underlayment.
Will you register the manufacturer warranty within 30 days and give me the confirmation?
What workmanship warranty do you provide, and what does it cover?
Will you pull the permit and handle inspections?

How does Hytz Roofing approach synthetic tile installation?

Hytz Roofing is a Tampa roofing contractor (Florida certified roofing contractor license #CCC1332551) with more than 30 years of experience. Hytz installs Brava synthetic tile roofing across Tampa Bay. Every installation includes permitting under the Florida Building Code, inspection coordination, and warranty documentation. Hytz also holds GAF Master Elite and GAF President's Club status. Those are GAF (a shingle and roofing-systems manufacturer) designations, not Brava credentials. They do show the company has been vetted against a manufacturer's licensing, insurance, and quality standards.

If you're weighing synthetic tile against clay, concrete, or shingles, ask Hytz for an inspection. You'll get a written quote that states the fastening method and wind rating, so you can compare it line by line with any other bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is synthetic tile lighter than concrete or clay tile?

Yes. Brava lists its Spanish Barrel Tile at about 281 pounds per roofing square (100 square feet), or 2.9 pounds per piece. That is far lighter than typical concrete or clay tile, so many homes can take synthetic tile without the structural reinforcement a heavy tile roof may need. An installer should still check the roof deck and framing before quoting.

What roof pitch does Brava synthetic tile require?

Brava recommends a minimum slope of 4:12. It allows 3:12 if a self-adhered waterproof underlayment is installed beneath the tiles. The Miami-Dade NOA for Spanish Barrel Tile lists a 2:12 minimum under its specific underlayment system, so your installer should confirm which approval applies to your roof.

Can a roofer install Brava tiles with nails instead of screws?

Yes, with corrosion-resistant ring-shank nails. Brava's Florida bulletin limits that method to 90 mph, while the two-screw high-wind method reaches 130 mph. Smooth-shank nails are not allowed. For a Tampa Bay home, ask for the screw installation in writing.

Who registers the synthetic tile warranty?

Brava's warranty requires the original owner to complete registration within 30 days of installation completion. Brava also has a separate contractor registration process. Many roofers handle the paperwork, but you should get the confirmation, because a missed deadline can complicate a later claim.