Barefoot Resort Roofing: North Myrtle Beach Golf Community Guide

Barefoot Resort's story begins in 1998, when Silver Carolina Development and Barefoot Landing Inc. presented an $812 million development plan to the North Myrtle Beach city council. In 1999, North Myrtle Beach annexed the area -- a move that was expected to double the city's population -- and construction began in 2000. The result is a 2,300-acre master-planned community anchored by four championship golf courses designed by Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye. It was the first time in United States history that four signature golf courses opened simultaneously.

The scale and diversity of Barefoot Resort's housing stock is what makes roofing here complex. The community includes condominiums, townhouses, patio homes, single-family homes, and custom luxury estates. Home values range from approximately $205,000 to over $3 million, with a median around $382,000. Each housing type has different roofing materials, different roof pitches, different ventilation requirements, and different HOA expectations.

Here is the critical point for roofing: because most construction occurred between 2000 and 2015, the majority of Barefoot Resort's homes are now 10 to 25 years old. For asphalt shingle roofs -- the most common roofing material in the community -- this is the window where manufacturers' warranties start to matter, where coastal wear becomes visible, and where the first wave of full roof replacements is either due or overdue.

The community's location adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway means salt air is a constant factor, even though Barefoot Resort is not directly oceanfront. Some homes have private docks and direct boat access to the ICW, placing them in the highest salt exposure zone within the community. Understanding how this exposure varies by neighborhood is essential for recommending the right roofing materials and maintenance schedule.

Barefoot Resort contains numerous distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character, construction type, and roofing considerations. Here is what I have learned from working in the major residential areas:

Every exterior modification in Barefoot Resort -- including roof replacement -- must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), which operates under the Barefoot Resort Residential Owners' Association (BRRA) Master Association. This is not optional, and failure to obtain written approval before beginning construction can result in fines.

This is one of the most important things I tell Barefoot Resort homeowners: do not sign a roofing contract until you understand the ARC process, and do not hire a roofer who is not familiar with it. Here is what the process involves:

At WeatherShield Roofing, we handle the ARC application process as part of our service for Barefoot Resort homeowners. We prepare the application, provide material samples and specifications, and submit the paperwork. This is not something homeowners should have to navigate alone, especially when the approval requirements affect material selection and project planning. If you have questions about the ARC process, call us at (843) 877-5539.

This is the conversation I have most frequently with Barefoot Resort homeowners: your roof is approaching or has passed the age where it needs serious attention, and coastal conditions have likely accelerated the aging process.

Most homes in Barefoot Resort were built between 2000 and 2015. Standard three-tab asphalt shingles -- the most commonly installed roofing material during that era -- have a manufacturer-stated lifespan of 20-25 years under ideal conditions. Architectural shingles, which became more common in the later construction years, are rated for 25-30 years. But "ideal conditions" do not exist in coastal North Myrtle Beach.

Here is the reality of what 10-25 years of coastal exposure does to roofing materials in Barefoot Resort:

The homes built in Barefoot Resort's earliest construction phase (2000-2005) are the most urgent. If you own one of these homes and have not replaced the roof yet, you are likely past the optimal replacement window. Waiting longer increases the risk of water intrusion damage to the structure underneath, which adds significant cost to the eventual replacement. For more on recognizing when replacement is needed, see our guide on 5 signs you need a new roof in coastal Myrtle Beach.

There is a major infrastructure issue in Barefoot Resort that every homeowner should understand, because it directly impacts how water interacts with your home and roof: the stormwater outfall system was damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and more than eight years later, the issue remains unresolved.

Four compromised stormwater outfalls serve the Barefoot Resort watershed. When these outfalls are not functioning properly, rainwater does not drain as designed. The result is water that pools longer, drains slower, and puts more stress on every part of your home's water management system -- from the ground up to the gutters and roof.

The severity of this issue is not lost on residents. When the question of halting new development came to a vote, 540 out of 571 Barefoot Resort residents voted to stop new construction until the flooding and stormwater infrastructure issues were addressed. That near-unanimous result tells you how significant the problem is.

Here is how this affects roofing specifically:

• •Gutters and downspouts under more stress: When ground-level drainage is compromised, your gutter system becomes even more critical. Overflowing gutters allow water to back up against fascia boards and soffit, causing rot that eventually affects the roof edge.
• •Standing water increases humidity: Poor drainage means water sits longer around your home, increasing ambient humidity. High humidity accelerates algae and moss growth on roofing materials and promotes mold in attic spaces.
• •Foundation and structural moisture: Persistent standing water can affect a home's foundation over time, and foundation movement can translate to roof stress as the structure shifts. This is especially relevant for the older homes built in the early 2000s.
• •Insurance implications: Water damage from flooding and poor drainage is typically excluded from standard homeowner's insurance. If compromised stormwater infrastructure contributes to water entering your home, the claim process can be complicated.

For Barefoot Resort homeowners, I recommend paying extra attention to your gutter system, ensuring downspouts direct water well away from the foundation, and keeping an eye on any areas where water pools near your home after rain. These are not just ground-level concerns -- they affect your roof's longevity and performance from the bottom up.

Barefoot Resort is adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, not directly on the oceanfront. This is an important distinction that affects the degree of salt air exposure your roof faces. Homes directly on the Atlantic Ocean experience the most intense salt exposure, but ICW-adjacent properties still face meaningful coastal effects -- and within Barefoot Resort, the exposure varies significantly depending on which neighborhood you are in.

Homes with private docks and direct ICW access -- particularly those in the more exclusive neighborhoods closer to the waterway -- experience the highest salt exposure within Barefoot Resort. Homes in interior neighborhoods, further from the waterway and sheltered by other structures and vegetation, experience less direct exposure but are still in the coastal zone.

Here is what salt air does to roofing materials over time:

• •Metal component corrosion: Flashing, drip edges, roof vents, and fasteners made from standard steel will corrode faster in salt air. This is why we recommend galvanized or stainless steel fasteners and aluminum or copper flashing for Barefoot Resort homes.
• •Shingle granule degradation: Salt crystals that settle on shingles act as mild abrasives, especially when driven by wind. Over years, this contributes to premature granule loss.
• •Sealant and caulk breakdown: The salt-laden moisture in coastal air degrades sealants around vents, skylights, and pipe boots faster than in inland environments.
• •Algae acceleration: The combination of salt air humidity and the warmth reflected off the golf course landscapes creates ideal conditions for algae growth on north-facing and shaded roof surfaces.

For a deeper dive into how coastal conditions affect roofing materials, see our guide on best roofing materials for coastal South Carolina.

Choosing the right roofing material for a Barefoot Resort home requires balancing four factors: ARC approval requirements, coastal durability, the specific neighborhood's aesthetic standards, and the homeowner's budget and long-term plans. Here is how the main options compare:

My recommendation for most Barefoot Resort homeowners: impact-resistant architectural shingles (Class 4 rated) offer the best balance of coastal durability, wind resistance, ARC-friendly appearance, and value. Many South Carolina insurers offer premium discounts for Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, which helps offset the higher upfront material cost over the life of the roof.

For Dye Estates and Leatherleaf homeowners with higher budgets and long-term ownership plans, standing seam metal or premium designer shingles provide superior longevity and salt air resistance. However, metal roofing in particular must be confirmed as ARC-approved for your specific neighborhood before proceeding.

Regardless of the material you choose, I strongly recommend specifying corrosion-resistant fasteners, aluminum drip edge, and high-quality synthetic underlayment for any Barefoot Resort roof replacement. These components cost marginally more but significantly extend the overall system's lifespan in coastal conditions. For more on material choices, see our metal roofing pros and cons guide and our roof replacement service page.

I want to be direct about something: hiring a roofing contractor who has never worked in Barefoot Resort is a risk that can cost you time, money, and frustration. The ARC process alone is enough to derail a project if your contractor does not know how to navigate it. But there are other reasons why local familiarity matters:

• •ARC application experience: A contractor who has been through the ARC process before knows what materials and colors are typically approved, what documentation is required, and how to avoid delays. A contractor unfamiliar with the process may order materials before getting approval, only to find the ARC requires a different color or style.
• •Gate access and logistics: Gated neighborhoods like Dye Estates and Leatherleaf require advance coordination for crew access and material deliveries. A contractor who has worked in these neighborhoods before knows the process.
• •Common area deposit awareness: Knowing about the $1,000 refundable deposit for common area access -- and building that into the project plan -- prevents surprises and delays at the start of the project.
• •Neighborhood-specific knowledge: Understanding that Tanglewood and The Townes have different roofing considerations than Cedar Creek or Dye Estates is not something a contractor can learn from a Google search. It comes from experience working in these neighborhoods.
• •Stormwater awareness: A local contractor understands the drainage challenges specific to Barefoot Resort and can recommend gutter sizing, downspout placement, and drainage solutions that account for the known stormwater infrastructure issues.

WeatherShield Roofing has worked on homes throughout Barefoot Resort's neighborhoods. We handle the ARC application, coordinate gate access, manage common area deposits, and select materials appropriate for each neighborhood's standards and coastal exposure level. For an honest comparison of local roofing contractors, see our article on best roofing companies in Myrtle Beach.