Which Roofing Material Is Most Hurricane Resistant?
Residents of South Florida are rightly concerned about the potential impact of extreme weather on their homes. So, when the time comes for an exterior home upgrade, hurricane resistance is often top of mind, especially when it comes to roofing. Which roofing materials are the most hurricane resistant? You might think that only the strongest materials, such as metal, are well suited to homes in areas that are prone to severe weather. You wouldn’t be wrong; however, the material isn’t the only factor impacting hurricane resistance.
Understanding Hurricane Resistant Roofing
To understand what makes a roof hurricane resistant, you should be aware of what roofing systems have to contend with during such events, including:
- Wind uplift – Hurricanes bring incredibly strong wind forces that can apply extreme pressure to the individual components of a roof as well as the system as a whole. Hurricane-resistant roofing must have exceptional uplift resistance to prevent catastrophic failures.
- Impacts – Strong winds can carry large debris capable of punching a hole in a roof and compromising its structural integrity. For this reason, impact-resistance is key to hurricane resistant roofing.
- Moisture damage – Any uplift in a roofing system leaves the roof deck vulnerable to wind-driven rain, which can cause extensive damage.
Hurricane Resistant Roofing Materials
So, which roofing material provides the best resistance to wind uplift, impacts, and moisture damage? Metal roofing can certainly lead to pack in terms of hurricane resistance. However, it’s important to note that not all metal roofing systems are designed or installed with hurricane protection in mind. If crafted and installed in accordance with building codes in areas prone to hurricanes, metal roofing will provide industry-leading protection. However, other materials, such as asphalt shingles and tile, can also be designed to provide excellent protection as well. It’s essential that homeowners ask the right questions about the specific roofing systems they’re considering and not simply assume that a certain material will offer hurricane resistance.
Grayhawk Remodeling’s Approach
As the largest full-service home remodeling company serving Manatee and Sarasota counties, Grayhawk Remodeling proudly offers an array of hurricane-resistant roofing that is ideal for local homes. For example, we install metal roofing that can withstand a category 5 storm and asphalt shingles that can withstand a category 3 storm. We also install these systems to the strictest standards to ensure they will perform as expected. What’s more, we install our roofs with a secondary water barrier to prevent moisture damage and provide third-party wind mitigation reports. This not only provides assurance of your roof’s wind resistance, but can also potentially reduce insurance premiums.
Grayhawk Remodeling’s specialists will help you choose the right hurricane resistance roofing for your home. Contact us today to learn more.
