Hurricane season is here; is your home prepared? From harsh winds to heavy rains, you want to make sure that every aspect of your home is ready to withstand these elements. One of the most important aspects of your home is your roof: it provides the most protection for both your family and all of your possessions. Hurricane roofing involves proper maintenance, necessary roof repairs, and perhaps new installations.
Which Roof Materials Are Best For Hurricane Season?
There are many shingle materials out there to choose from, but they don’t all function exactly the same. The following information will help you decide which shingles are best for your home:
Asphalt
Roof shingles made from asphalt are one of the most popular roofing materials. However, because they are the most affordable, they may not be able to withstand winds of hurricane strength. The average asphalt shingle is built to withstand winds up to 70 miles per hour, and tropical storms can be worse than that. Therefore, asphalt shingles are prone to being blown off during high-pressure storms.
Wood
Wood shingles are considered more natural-looking and attractive than other roofing materials. They are able to withstand heavy winds but may require extra maintenance to keep them in working order. Hurricanes may increase the number of maintenance calls you make to your local roofing contractor if they get blown off or damaged.
Slate
These heavier-weighted shingles are built to last – up to three times longer than most other shingles. But because they have such a good reputation, they’ll be a bit more expensive than other materials. This may be worth it in the long run, though; a well-built roof will save you the money (and hassle) of additional roofing repairs after hurricane season. But be sure to check with the blueprints of your home to make sure your current roofing structure can support the weight of slate shingles.
Tile
Tile shingles come in concrete or clay and are made to last up to thirty years (long enough to pay off that mortgage!). But their performance during storms depends on their type, and the installation period can take a bit longer. Make sure your roofing structure can withstand the weight of tiles, depending on the material you choose.
Metal
One of the most popular roofing choices in South Florida because of its weather resistance, durability, and return on investment, metal roofing can last two to three times longer than shingles. Its ability to weather extreme storms make it a great choice for any roofing system.
Other Ways To Prepare Your Roof
Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your home to protect you and your family from dangerous storms. If your roof gets damaged, it makes other internal and structural parts of your home vulnerable to harm as well.
To prevent these damages, here are some other steps you can take to protect your roof, and the rest of your home:
Replace Shingles
Have a roofing contractor examine your roof before hurricane season starts and look for any shingles that are damaged or in need of replacing. You don’t want to wait until you’re in the midst of hurricane season to make these fixes – the time to prepare is now. Make sure to replace the worn or damaged shingles with ones that are hurricane-proof.
Reinforce Your Roofing Structure
Unless you have experience working with rooftops, it’s highly encouraged that you use a local contractor for this one. A roof built to withstand high winds will have hurricane tie-downs and trusses attached to the walls. If your home does not have these things, you may need to do a “re-roofing” that is up to current local codes.
Seal Those Gaps
Go on a tour of your home and carefully inspect all the areas where the roof and ceilings converge. Any leaks or cracks? Seal those up with water-resistant sealer, which you can find at home convenience stories. If the cracks or leaks are severe, you may need to – you guessed it – call a local roofing contractor. Hurricane roofing is serious business!
Redirect The Rain
When preparing your roof for hurricane season, don’t forget to inspect the gutters. Clear them of debris, like dirt, branches, or leaves. Make sure they properly redirect rainwater through your downspouts.
Let ABC Roofing Corp. Help You Prepare
No one knows the potential for hurricane roofing damage like ABC Roofing Corp. If you’re concerned about the strength of your roof structure, or have some repairs you want to get taken care of before hurricane season leaves its mark, get a quote at 954-344-4622. Stay tuned for other important updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
