Metal Roofs Help Homeowners Prep For Hurricane Season

In hurricane-prone areas, metal roofing has proven its ability to withstand severe winds. The home above is located in Florida and features a vertical seam roof system. The home below is located in Texas and is topped with a tile-profile roof.

Longview, WA - After last year’s devastating hurricane season, homeowners looking to better protect their home this year are increasingly turning to highly-durable materials, including metal roofing.

Experts say that’s a smart move, given the strong performance of metal roofs during severe storms. Many metal roofing systems can withstand winds in excess of 140-mph (equal to a F2 tornado) and provide protection against impact damage from large hailstones and debris. Metal roofs also are nearly impenetrable to moisture and leaks, making them a durable choice in areas that suffer heavy rainfall and downpours.

“All over the world, metal roofing has been battle-tested by Mother Nature,” said Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). “For homeowners who are increasingly concerned about extreme weather and storms, that makes the durability, long-lasting protection and reliability of metal roofing very appealing.”

According to MRA’s latest research, overall consumer interest in metal roofing continues to rise, particularly in the south and southeast U.S. While market share for other types of roofing material is eroding, areas like Monroe County, located in the Florida Keys, have considered mandates that would require all new or replacement roofs to be metal to help “harden homes” in the hurricane-prone area. According to the Monroe county staff summary, post-Hurricane Irma inspections found that “metal roofs fared far better than those roofs covered by asphalt shingles.”

Part of the key to the exceptional performance of metal roofing in high winds is due to its attachment methods and interlocking installation where panels are overlapped and attached to the structure of the building, reducing the ability of wind to catch on the actual roof. Proper installation also is paramount. With hurricane and re-roofing season at its peak, MRA says it’s a good time for homeowners and contractors to pay close attention to FEMA’s advice for metal roofing systems in high wind areas, including:

1. Always follow manufacturer’s installation instructions and local building code requirements
2. Calculate loads on the roof assembly in accordance with ASCE 7 or the local building code, whichever results in the highest loads
3. Specify and purchase a metal roofing system that has been tested to provide sufficient uplift resistance to meet design uplift loads
4. Ensure suitable roof system design components (including quality underlayment system, proper clip and fastener placement)
5. Obtain the services of a professional, reputable roofing contractor to install the roofing system. For help identifying local metal roofing installers, visit MRA’s website.

For homeowners who still may have misconceptions about metal roofing and how it performs in extreme weather, Ramey says the fact is that properly installed metal roofs are no noisier than other types of roofs in rain or hail storms, and they are more energy efficient, helping reflect the sun’s rays to reduce energy costs. Metal roofing also comes in more styles, colors and pattern options than nearly any other type of roofing material.

“For maximum performance and peace of mind, it’s always wise for homeowners and installers to work closely together and pay close attention to regional factor considerations and preferences,” said Ramey. “By doing so, the exceptional durability, beauty and long-lasting, worry-free protection of a new metal roof is an investment that will pay off for many years to come.”

About The Metal Roofing Alliance

Representing metal roofing manufacturers in the United States and Canada, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit organization to help educate consumers about the many benefits of metal roofs. The main objective of MRA is to increase awareness of the beauty, durability and money-saving advantages of quality metal roofs among homeowners, as well as to provide support for metal roofing businesses and contractors. For more information, visit metalroofing.com.