Your house was hit by a storm– now what? While you may feel rushed into decisions about repairs or replacements if the roof was damaged, don’t be tempted with quick fixes.
Instead of covering it with the same roofing material as before, you may want to upgrade to a more durable and long-lasting roofing solution. Asphalt shingles, clay tiles and wood shakes offer minimal protection when compared to metal roofing. In fact, metal roofs are one of the most impact-resistant options available against hail, wind and rain.
Read on to learn why homeowners are increasingly upgrading to metal roofing after storm damage.
Metal Roofs Provide Added Protection Against Wind and Hail
Heavy rains, destructive winds and hail impact can damage the structural integrity of traditional roofing systems, leaving the underlying roof deck exposed to rain. This can lead to expensive damage from leaks.
Metal roofing has a unique interlocking and overlapping technique that allows the panels to stay firmly in place, which leaves no space for wind-driven rain to penetrate. This also reduces the overall wind uplift risk of the roof system.
When evaluating your options, look for a material that is tested against national standards for wind and hail.
Wind
Wind uplift tests stimulate the effects of high-speed winds by subjecting a mockup roof to increasing air pressure from underneath. DECRA’s products have been rigorously tested to comply with high-velocity hurricane zone requirements, including Miami-Dade, Florida, which is known as the region with the most severe winds.
The test provides a rating, which reflects the last wind speed the roof is able to withstand before failing. DECRA roofing panels are backed by a warranty for winds up to 120 mph and are lab tested at twice that velocity.
This gives homeowners comfort knowing their roof is better equipped to handle wind from hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms.
Hail
Roofing materials are rated Class 1 through Class 4 based on their resistance to the impact of steel balls dropped from varying heights. The Class 4 test, conducted by Underwriters Laboratories, stimulates the damaging impact of a 2 inch hailstone from 20 feet or higher on a roof. This test is considered the industry-standard for impact-resistance. In order to achieve a Class 4 rating, the roofing material cannot exhibit any signs of fracture.DECRA products have the highest possible UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Resistant rating. DECRA goes above and beyond the required testing and conducts additional testing through an independent third-party lab for:
- Material Thickness: Impact resistance and shear strength.
- Aluminum-Zinc Alloy Thickness: Strength, bending, and anti-corrosion.
- Coating Quality: Quality for exterior exposure and weather durability.
- Coating Thickness: Adequate protective thickness for weather durability and thermal performance.
- Hardness: Class 4 Hail Impact resistance.
- Humidity Resistance: Tests for water damage resistance to detect deficiencies in coatings.
- Salt Spray Resistance: Resist metal corrosion in the harshest environment.
DECRA products are also warrantied against hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter. This added strength gives homeowners peace of mind before, during and after a major storm.
Metal Roofs Have a Longer Life Expectancy Than Traditional Materials
The age of a roof can affect the degree of damage following a storm. If you live in a storm-prone area, you want to purchase a long-lasting roof that can withstand the elements when exposed to rain, wind and hail.
Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12 to 20 years. With frequent exposure to storm damage, the lifespan may lower. Metal roofs, on the other hand, have a lifespan that is two to three times longer than traditional roofing materials. This makes it a top choice for homeowners who don’t want to deal with the damaging effects of storms year-after-year. Plus, metal roofing is more cost-effective in the long-term since you aren't having to replace it as often as you would with asphalt, tile or wood.
Durability and longevity are just two examples of the long-term value a metal roof can provide.
Additional Benefits of Metal Roofing
Metal roofs can also reduce cooling costs by up to 25%. They reflect heat from the sun unlike asphalt shingles that absorb the energy and transmit the heat into the home. With metal, homeowners can look forward to additional savings over the lifetime of the home by reducing energy costs.
Other benefits include warranty transfers and insurance discounts. DECRA roofs can qualify for discounts in many states, so make sure to check with your local insurance carrier when considering a new roof.
