You spend thousands of dollars on a new roof, just to have our strong Colorado winds tear it right off. Roof damaging winds are common along the Front Range, and at any time of the year. What’s worse, those winds often come right before a snow or rain storm, leaving your home vulnerable to water leaks, or worse, fire. Which is why it’s always better to have the best defense on your roof. That starts with a high wind resistant roof.
Although asphalt shingles are the most common roof, they are not the only option available. Metal, such as standing seam panels and stone-coated metal shingles, also offer great resistance to our strong Colorado winds. Partly due to the fact that screws are used instead of nails to secure them down. Screws offer better holding power over nails.
High-Wind Resistant Roofs We Recommend
Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm
Tamko’s
StormFighter IR
Standing Seam,
Corrugated/PBC
How to Choose a High Wind Resistant Roof
We understand that choosing a high wind resistant roof is probably not your first concern. Your first concern is probably cost, or choosing a similar material to what you’re about to replace, or what your neighbors have. Regardless of whether you choose asphalt shingles, stone coated metal shingles, concealed or exposed fastener metal, or tile, there’s a high wind resistant option available to you.
Unfortunately, quickly spotting a high-wind resistant roofing material isn’t always easy. Some companies make it easy by displaying an icon that denotes a high-wind resistant roofing material. For example, Owens Corning’s website has a little icon that does just that. What’s more, on their website, you can also choose to only show high-wind resistant shingles by checking the appropriate checkbox. However, some websites aren’t as easy to use as Owens Corning’s. On most, you just have to click on each shingle and read the copy.
If you’d like help finding a high-wind resistant roof, just ask us.
Call us at 970-395-0406 or send us a text.
Why a High Wind Resistant Roof Is Important
- Avoid Blow-offs
- Avoid Costly Repairs
- Avoid Airborne Roofing Material Damaging Property
- Avoid Airborne Roofing Material Causing Personal Injury
High winds are common along the Colorado Front Range, especially in the Spring and Fall. According to the Washington Post, in 2018 wind gusts between 50 and 90 mph were recorded along the Colorado Front Range.
Not only can strong winds tear and remove roofing material, they can also launch that roofing material, or other debris, such as tree branches and patio furniture, into the air and potentially cause damage to property or injury to you, your family, or neighbors.
High wind resistant roofs can withstand stronger winds. They are also generally more impact resistant, so they have a lesser chance of becoming damaged or torn apart from strong winds.
The City of Loveland, Colorado requires new roofs must have a minimum wind rating of 129 mph and a minimum fire rating of Class C. Below, we include links to shingle manufacturers that meet this requirement. Regardless of what your city officials say about which roof you should have, because of the strong winds and the number of hail storms we get, we recommend a roof of at least 110mph winds, and impact and fire resistant. Wind, hail, and fires happen here in Colorado. And, although it will cost more initially to get that high wind, impact resistant, fire resistant roof, it will cost less in the long run because it will last longer. What’s more, with our roof financing, it’s easier to get that new, stronger, longer-lasting roof than you might think.
Wind Resistant Asphalt Shingles
Several shingle manufacturers offers high wind resistant roofing products, such as Owens Corning’s Duration Storm and GAF’s Timberline HDZ. Shingles such as these offer high wind warranties up to 130mph. When shopping for high wind resistant shingles, make sure the product says it withstands winds of at least 110mph. Your roofing contractor can help. The Owens Corning website makes it very easy to view high wind resistant shingle options. On their website, just check the 130 mph Wind Resistance checkbox.
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Lines
- GAF Timberline HDZ
- Tamko Stormfighter IR
- CertainTeed Landmark Lines
- CertainTeed Presidential Shake Lines
Wind Resistant Metal
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles & Tiles
Standing Seam Sheet Metal
Corrugated/PBC Sheet Metal
When you think of metal roofing, you might think of the 2′ x 8′ sheets of corrugated sheet metal on barns. Although 2′ x 8′ sheets is one option, today, there are other options available. Westlake Royal Roofing, for example, offers a metal roofing product that resembles asphalt shingles. Their stone-coated steel roofing option is tested to resist wind speeds in excess of 120mph. Added benefits to metal roofing is that most are Class-4 hail impact resistant, fire rated, and 100% recyclable.
Because traditional metal roofing, such as concealed and exposed metal fastener metal roofing, is installed in large sheets, there are fewer edges for wind to get under. As a result, metal roofing is a great high wind resistant roofing material for sloped roofs.
Tile
Clay and concrete tiles, and slate are heavy, which is why they are good in high winds. They must be properly installed, however. If installed improperly, and with a strong enough wind, clay and concrete tiles can still be blown off. And if they are blown off, they are a serious threat, again, because of their weight. If tiles are what you’re looking for, Westlake Royal Roofing has a collection of Class-4 hail rated profiles available. These concrete tiles are also Class-A fire rated.
The Bottom Line
Asphalt shingles are a decent high wind resistant roof. However, a metal roof, such as standing seam, resists high winds better, thanks to the screws used when installing it. If you’re shopping for a new roof in Colorado, seriously consider metal. Not only is metal more resistant to wind, it’s also more resistant to hail and fire. What’s more, metal is also recyclable in our area, unlike asphalt shingles.