As a Florida homeowner, you know how severe tropical storms can be. And you know that you need to protect your property against our unpredictable weather patterns. But how can you do that? A good place to start is finding out what the best roof for hurricanes is and planning your new roof.
We’re PITCH Roofing, a locally based roofing company. We’re a crew of veteran Florida roofers, and we’ve had plenty of time to see how different roofing systems withstand the local climate. Today, we’re talking about what your roof has to stand up against and which roofing materials are best able to withstand hurricanes and other tropical storms!
What Hurricanes Do to Your Roof
A hurricane is a lot more than just high winds. When it comes to protecting your home, your roof needs to be able to withstand a lot of punishment. To help identify the best roof for hurricane readiness, let’s first discuss what your is up against!
Hurricane-force Winds
During hurricane season, you’ll hear a lot of chatter about hurricane-force winds. But how fast are those winds, exactly? Well, a category one hurricane will have winds of at least 74 mph. On the other end of the spectrum, a category five hurricane has winds at 157 mph or higher. This is quite a large range, and your roof needs to be ready for all of it!
Some homeowners believe that only shingle roofs are vulnerable to wind damage, but this isn’t true. Any roofing system can experience uplift due to hurricane-force winds. When considering the best roof for hurricanes, it’s essential to pick a material that is ready to deal with extreme wind speeds like these!
Wind-driven Rain
When installed correctly, any roofing system can handle rain with no issue. Wind-driven rain is a different beast, however. Propelled by extreme winds, rainwater can work its way under and into your roofing system, leading to leaks and even internal floods in extreme circumstances.
The best roof for hurricanes will be able to protect your home against wind-driven rain. To do that, however, your roof is going to need regular maintenance. Even the best roofs need occasional repairs, and falling behind on this upkeep could drastically increase your risk of your roof receiving storm damage!
Storm Debris
Many homeowners overlook storm debris, but it’s a serious threat both during and after a hurricane. Storm debris is whatever gets picked up and thrown around by high winds — branches and leaves are common, but anything left outside can become a projectile. When these items hit your roof at high speeds, they pose a serious risk of damaging it.
That isn’t the only threat of storm debris, though. After a storm, it can become trapped on your roof. It then becomes a place for algae and pests to move in, which endangers your entire roofing system. Even with the best roof for hurricanes, you’ll want to clean off your roof after a hurricane to keep it secure!
What Is the Best Roof for Hurricanes?
As you can see, hurricanes pose plenty of danger to your roof. Thankfully, roofs in Florida are built with these risk factors in mind. Even shingle roofs can withstand some hurricane conditions. But when we’re talking about the very best roof for hurricanes, then there are only two real contenders.
Metal Roofing
Every year, more and more homeowners turn to metal roofing to secure their homes. These roofs are durable, long-lasting, and uniquely resilient against hurricane conditions. For example, a properly installed metal roof can withstand winds up to 180 mph. That’s equivalent to a category 5 hurricane!
During installation, contractors will firmly adhere your metal roof to your home, ensuring that it’s not going anywhere and that it’s watertight. While storm debris can still cause minor denting, these are usual aesthetic issues and not a threat to the security of your roof. Another great feature of metal roofs is that they rarely need repairs.
To top it all off, metal roofs are built to last. That’s why they have some of the longest lifespans of any roof in Florida. Let’s look at standing seam metal roofs, for instance. These roofs can last anywhere from 40 to 70 years with the proper maintenance. If you’re looking for the best roof for hurricane readiness, metal will protect your home for many years to come!
Clay Tile Roofing
Where metal roofing is a new approach to roofing, clay tiles are timeless. These roofing materials have been used in Florida for centuries, and they’re still going strong as one of the best roofs for hurricanes. Clay tile roofs have been approved for winds up to 150 mph, making them capable of withstanding direct hits from even major hurricanes.
Manufacturers design clay tiles to help water flow easily and freely off your roof, making them highly water resistant. However, wind-driven rain can force itself under your tiles. Thankfully, this water is then kept out by a water-resistant underlayment, so you don’t have to worry about leaks. You should be wary of storm debris, though, since it can crack your tiles! While this is a small repair, it’s also a crucial one.
In terms of longevity, clay tiles are tough to beat. These roofs can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years, making them the longest-lasting roofs on the market. As a bonus, they have an elegant and classic look that many homeowners prefer over metal roofing. That’s what makes these roofs a strong contender for the best way to hurricane-prep your home!
Get a Free Quote for Your Hurricane-Ready Roof
Hurricanes are no joke, and it takes a lot of work to install a roof that can withstand them. While many different types of roofs can protect your home, metal and clay tile roofing are the best roofs for hurricanes. If you want to upgrade to this top-tier protection, all you have to do is reach out to the trusted professionals at PITCH.
To get started, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. We’ll come to your home, inspect your roof, and prepare a line-by-line roof replacement quote that covers the full scope of roofing costs. This ensures that you get a complete roofing system without any of the guesswork!
Picking the right roofing material is a big part of getting your roof ready for hurricane season. But so is picking the right roofers. As long-time local contractors, the crew at PITCH has the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right the first time. Give us a chance to earn your business, and we’ll blow you away with our comprehensive approach to roofing done right!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
