Tired of your shingle roof being blown-off in a high wind storm? We understand. During the Spring and Fall, when we get the most high-winds in Colorado, we are often called-out to repair a roof whose shingles have been blown-off, torn, or worked loose from high winds. If you’re looking for high wind resistant roofing shingles, we have some recommendations. We also list which shingles that have the highest wind rating, and offer a high-wind resistant shingle alternative.
What is a Wind Resistant Roof?
A wind resistant roof is a roof that can withstand wind exceeding 100mph or greater. These are often your higher-end shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Duration Storm or Tamko’s Stormfighter. These asphalt shingles are made to resistant the strong winds Colorado usually gets in the spring and fall. It’s important to keep in mind that even the best, most wind-resistant shingle can fail if it’s not correctly installed. Therefore, it’s important to find a roofing company in Colorado that knows how to install a roof correctly so it’ll withstand our strong winds.
High Wind Resistant Roofing Shingles We Recommend
Owens Corning
OC’s TruDefinition Duration, Duration Designer, Duration Flex, and Duration Storm all offer 130mph wind resistance. They all also come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and OC’s SureNail technology – this is the nailing line underneath each shingle that helps hold it down in high winds in Colorado. Flex and Storm also offer Class-4 impact resistance. Keep in mind – a Class-4 impact resistance shingle is more durable than a Class-3. Therefore, should last longer.
Need a roofing company in Colorado to install your new Owens Corning high wind resistant shingles? We’re an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor. We’re also Owens Corning Top of the House Certified and SureNail Trailed.
Tamko
Another great high-wind resistant roofing shingle is Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex. This high-wind resistant shingle is available with a Class-3 or 4 impact warranty, and an unprecedented 160mph wind rating. What’s more, this shingle is capable of being installed in temperatures down to 25º.
Looking to hire a roofing company in Colorado to install your new Tamko shingles? We’re a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor.
GAF
GAF’s Timberline AS II is also a great high wind resistant asphalt roofing shingle that’s great in Colorado. These shingles carry a high-wind rating of 110-150mph. They’re also Class-4 impact rated, which is a great defense against hail. What’s more, they’re SBS-modified so they’re flexible. If you’re looking for a high-wind and hail resistant shingles, GAF’s Timberline AS II won’t disappoint.
Which Shingles Have the Highest Wind Rating
There are several asphalt shingle roof coverings that offer great wind resistance. Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex offers the highest at 160mph. If you’re looking for an asphalt shingle roof with the highest wind rating, look to Tamko. GAF’s Timberline AS II also offers a good wind rating at 150mph. Owens Corning’s TruDefintion Duration shingle line comes in third at 130mph. If incorrectly installed, even a shingle with the highest wind rating can fail in lesser winds. That’s why it’s important to hire a roofing company that knows how to install shingles correctly and guarantees their work, such as Bob Behrends Roofing and Gutters.
- Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex at 160mph
- GAF Timberline AS II at 150mph
- Owens Corning’s at 130mph
Most Wind Resistant Roof
The most wind-resistant roof isn’t asphalt shingles. Metal shingles, also called stone-coated metal shingles, shake or tile, offer better high wind resistance than traditional asphalt shingles. Better yet, standing seam metal roof offers the best wind resistance. This is for a few reasons.
Screws – A standing seam metal panel roof uses screws to secure it down. Screws offer better holding power over nails, which is what’s used on an asphalt shingle roof. It’s simply easier to pull-out a nail than it is a screw.
Low Profile – Sheet metal, such as what standing seam is made from, is lower to the roof deck than asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and wood shake. A lower profile means it’s more difficult to pick it up or get under it.
Suction – Standing seam metal roofing offers better suction resistance. As wind moves over your roof, it creates suction on the leeward side of your roof. Standing seam offers better resistance against this suction than asphalt shingles.
Fewer Seams – The more seams there are, the more chances for water leaks or for wind to get underneath the material and pull it up. We manufacture our own standing seam metal roofing panels for a precise fit to your roof. Other roof coverings, such as asphalt shingles, have many seams. Therefore, many opportunities for wind to take hold.
Asphalt vs Screws – Asphalt shingles rely on asphalt adhesive to hold the top shingle to the one beneath it. Standing seam metal roofing panels utilitize screws to hold them down. Screws are much stronger than asphalt.
High-Wind Resistant Shingle Alternatives
Traditional asphalt shingles are a fine high-wind resistant roof covering. However, there are better alternatives.
Steel Shingles – Steel shingles, steel shake, or steel tiles are a better high-wind resistant alternative to traditional asphalt shingles. Their screws offer better holding power, steel is more resistant to weather, insects, mold, etc. than fiberglass, and metal shingles are recyclable in our area, unlike asphalt shingles.
Standing Seam – For the ultimate roof, one that’s not only high wind resistant but also helps lower your utility bill, consider standing seam. A new standing seam roof has it all – high-wind resistant, hail-resistant, fire-resistant, energy-efficient, recyclable, and low-cost long-term.
The Bottom Line
The most affordable high-wind resistant roof is going to be traditional asphalt shingles from Owens Corning, Tamko, and GAF. With proper installation, these shingles should withstand winds up to 150mph. Stone-costed steel shingles are a better high-wind resistant option. These are also more resistant to hail, fire, mold, insects, etc. The best high-wind resistant roof that’s also energy-efficient is standing seam metal roofing panels.