When considering what material you should use for your new roof, there are lots of things that you need to take into consideration. For example, if your area sees a lot of high winds, then you need to install a roof that can stand up to them. Why choose a metal roof in this instance? Here’s why they’re the ultimate wind resistant roof design.
Metal Vs. Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Asphalt shingle roofs are a very common choice for roofing. They’re highly affordable, and it’s very easy to find a roofer that can install it for you. While they do have their benefits, there are some times when they aren’t going to be the right option for you as a homeowner.
If you live in an area prone to high winds, then you’ll see that asphalt shingles can very easily be pulled away from your roof. The more shingles you lose, the more gaps there are that will allow water to get into your roof and start causing damage.
Now, you can easily replace shingles when needed, and that’s a simple repair depending on where you live. If you’re seeing regular high winds, though, that’s a lot of repairs that you’ll have to do to the roof. That’s why many homeowners now are using metal roofs instead.
Metal Roofs In Wind Uplift Tests
You can tell that metal roofs are the best for resisting high winds, as they have been tested to see just how much they can take. In wind uplift tests, a securely installed metal roof can withstand winds of up to 140 mph. In some cases, that number can go up to 180mph.
That’s highly impressive, as that’s higher than the wind speeds in even some of the worst storms in recent memory. For example, Hurricane Michael capped out at 155mph in 2018. That shows you just how reliable a metal roof can be.
The Wind Resistant Roof Design
What is it about a metal roof that makes it so wind resistant? There are several reasons why they’re a good option:
Strong attachment methods: A metal roof will be attached to your roof using a variety of methods, such as hidden fasteners, exposed fasteners, and stamped fasteners among others. What they all have in common is that they securely hold the roof down on the roof deck, ensuring that most winds won’t be able to pull the metal up.
You’ll also see that a lot of metal roofs are secured using two different methods, both fasteners and clips. As there are double the fasteners holding it down, that creates more security against the wind.
Interlocking systems: During installation, the roof panels on a metal roof are interlocked. This keeps the metal down close to the deck of the roof, and that leaves very little space for wind to get in underneath and cause problems.
This can be improved further by using sealing tape at the eaves, ridges, and hips. That creates more resistance against wind, keeping that roof where it’s supposed to be.
Proper installation: Like all roofs, a metal roof will be able to perform at its best when it’s installed correctly. When you take the time to research and find the best roofer for metal roofs in your area, you’ll be sure that your roof will be securely installed and going nowhere.
Metal Roofs And Natural Disasters
It’s not just high winds that a metal roof can protect you against, either. You’ll see that they’re excellent protection against earthquakes and fires, too.
In the case of an earthquake, a metal roof is safer as it’s lighter than other roofing methods. Because of this, it generates smaller inertial forces when subjected to earthquakes. That will help it stay in place and protect you in such an event.
They’re a very good choice for living in areas prone to wildfires, too. Metal roofs have a Class A fire resistance rating, the highest they can get. If any debris catches fire and lands on the roof, such as branches, then you’ll see the roof will resist fire capably.
Other Benefits Of Metal Roofs
While a roof that’s highly wind resistant is a massive plus, it’s not the only benefit that you’ll experience with a metal roof. Here are a few more reasons why you’ll want to consider having one installed:
High fire rating: As mentioned above, a metal roof has a high fire rating. You know that when installed, it should resist fires that break out in or around your home, making the structure safer.
Longevity: While a metal roof does cost more than other types out there, they also tend to drastically outlast them too. On average, a metal roof should last around 50 years, depending on how well you take care of it. As such, once you’ve replaced your roof with a metal roof, you shouldn’t have to replace it again in your lifetime.
Can be installed quickly: Another key benefit of a metal roof is that it can be installed very quickly, especially compared to other roofing methods. That allows you to get the process over and done with faster, so you experience less disruption in your home.
Reflect heat and save on energy bills: If your climate is hotter than average, a metal roof will save you a lot on your energy bills. This is because a metal roof is able to reflect a lot of heat, rather than absorb it. That helps keep your home cooler and allows you to use less energy to keep it cool.
Great at shedding snow and rain: On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you get a lot of snow and rain where you live then metal roofs are perfect for your home. They easily shed it, so water doesn’t get a chance to enter the roof.
There are lots of reasons why you should have a metal roof installed. One of the top reasons is that a metal roof easily resists high winds and stays in place.
If you would like more information, contact the professionals at Piedmont Roofing today!
And if you live in Virginia areas such as Middleburg, Winchester, Leesburg, or Warrenton, we’ll be happy to help you with your metal roofing needs.
