Choosing Roofing Material in a Hurricane Prone Area
The 2017 Hurricane season will go down in history as one of the most catastrophic of all time, and it isn’t over until November 30th. Harvey, Irma, and Maria roared through coastal areas causing a death toll of 177 (as of this post), and an estimated $335 to $475 Billion in property damage.
For a homeowner, roof damage can be costly, especially when a hurricane deductible exceeds the cost to repair or replace a roof. Some materials fare better than others when it comes to resisting uplift from wind.
Here we have provided a quick guide to the most popular roof materials for coastal home plan designs and ranked them according to resistance to hurricane damage.
Metal Roof
1 – Metal Roofs
- Typically rated for winds from 110 to 160 mph.
- Smooth surface without any uplift-vulnerable exposed edges provide the most aerodynamic surface for wind.
- Durable material that is available in corrosion resistant materials such as aluminum.
- Standing seam metal roofs are more durable than 5V-Crimp in storm force winds.
Flat Tile Roof
2 – Flat Tile
- Typically rated for winds up to 100 mph.
- The material is hardy for coastal climate, resistant to fire and will not deteriorate from salt spray.
- The flat tile shape is more aerodynamic and uplift resistant than a barrel shape.
Barrel Tile Roof
3 – Barrel Tile
- Typically rated for winds up to 100 mph.
- The material is hardy for coastal climate, resistant to fire and will not deteriorate from salt spray.
- Barrel tile shape provides a higher profile surface that can be susceptible to uplift from wind.
Asphalt Shingle Roof
4 – Asphalt Shingle
- Top selling roofing material in the US and most economical.
- Depending on the material grade, available in ratings from 60 to 150mph.
- Most vulnerable to shingle uplift, and subsequently entire roof uplift and leaks.
While hurricane wind resistance is a major factor in choosing a roofing material for your house plan, each homeowner has unique constraints in budget and location that will influence the choice of material. An experienced residential architect can provide guidance in making the best choice for your situation.
Looking for a coastal house plan? Click here to begin your house plan search.