When seeking roofing services in hurricane-prone areas like South Florida, choosing a highly durable roofing installation is essential.

Hurricanes cause billions of dollars of property damage each year, much of that happening with unsuitable roofing materials.

Fortunately, roofing companies in zones that frequently experience the force of hurricanes have plenty of experience with different materials and know the optimal options.

Read on to learn important details about hurricane mitigation and what materials experienced roofing contractors recommend to provide extensive protection to a home.

What Kinds of Roofing Damage Can Hurricanes Cause?

Hurricanes in coastal regions can cause severe damage to homes, especially to the roofs.

Roofing companies see everything from impact damage due to hail and flying debris to roofing materials being blown partly or completely off the house.

In the worst cases, hurricane winds can even tear entire roofing structures off a house, depending on its architecture and the type of roof installed.

Noting this, protecting homes from serious damage starts with having extremely wind-resistant roof architecture as well as substantially durable roofing materials on top.

Based on their experience, roofing contractors see homes with flat roofs faring better in high-wind environments than those with pitched architecture.

Beyond that, it is the choice of durable roofing materials that contribute to hurricane mitigation.

What Properties Do Roofing Companies Look for in An Impact-Resistant Roof?

Though there is no such thing as a truly hurricane-proof roof, roofing services recommend materials that are classified according to their hurricane rating.

In coastal areas that see frequent hurricanes, homeowners are encouraged to purchase materials with the highest wind rating as being able to withstand Category 4 or 5 winds up to 150 MPH.

In fact, building code laws in South Florida now require roofing companies to utilize certain highly-rated materials on different homes depending on the home architecture as a means of mitigating hurricane damage.

Approved materials are those with high hurricane ratings based on passing various wind and strength tests and are developed specifically to provide optimal protection in hurricane conditions.

What Are The Best Impact-Resistant Options Recommended By Roofing Contractors?

In order from most acceptable to least, roofing contractors recommend the following roofing options for homeowners looking to protect homes in regions where hurricanes are a common threat:

Metal - Available as either metal panels or stone-coated metal shingles, professionally installed metal roofing is the most wind-resistant choice used by roofing services to protect homes in hurricane zones as it can be fastened down tightly and provides little wind resistance.
Tile - Ceramic, concrete, and slate tiles are another highly recommended choice in hurricane zones as they are strong, rigid, and remain more easily in place without being blown off or breaking when affected by high winds.
Wood Shake - Thick wood shakes are another attractive and durable roofing option that is sturdy enough to withstand high winds up to 245 MPG when they are properly maintained so they stay in good condition.
Asphalt Shingles - Certain asphalt shingle products that are designed thick and rigid enough to withstand high winds are an economical choice for some homeowners.

Experienced Roofing Contractors Can Help With Roof Material Choices

Sooner or later, all homeowners must invest in a new roof for their homes.

For those living in hurricane zones, it is essential to work with experienced roofing contractors who can recommend very suitable roofing options.

Mitigate hurricane damage by working with a roofing company that understands the risks and has the experience necessary to protect their customers’ homes!