Seeking Advice: Best Roofing Material for High Wind Areas?

Hello everyone,

I'm currently planning to replace the roof of my home, which is located in an area known for high winds and occasional severe storms. I'm trying to decide on the best roofing material that can withstand these conditions. I've been considering metal roofing, asphalt shingles, and even some newer composite materials, but I'm not sure which would be the most durable and cost-effective in the long run.

Has anyone here had experience with roofing in high wind areas? What material did you find to be the most resilient? Also, are there any specific installation techniques or additional reinforcements that I should consider to enhance wind resistance? Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Roino Hareld wrote:Hello everyone,

I'm currently planning to replace the roof of my home, which is located in an area known for high winds and occasional severe storms. I'm trying to decide on the best roofing material that can withstand these conditions. I've been considering metal roofing, asphalt shingles, and even some newer composite materials, but I'm not sure which would be the most durable and cost-effective in the long run.

Has anyone here had experience with roofing in high wind areas? What material did you find to be the most resilient? Also, are there any specific installation techniques or additional reinforcements that I should consider to enhance wind resistance? Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Roino. Welcome to the forum!

I live where it is windy all the time and I consider these to be high winds.

We have a metal roof which I am very happy with.

There are no shingles to blow away.

I have no experience with a green or earthen roof though once established that might also be a good choice.

I can tell you I have built many metal roofed structures and had one problem in 50 yeras!
I forgot to attach the roof to the columns on a carport and 20 yeras later during a slightly bigger storm the roof was lifted and blew off.
Otherwise metal roofing, screwed to battens which themselves screwed to rafters fastened appropriately to columns etc will not fail.
And you can easily collected rain water off the same roof,

Hi Roino;
I agree with John, A metal roof properly attached is the lowest cost option.
However, if money is not an issue then I suggest a slate roof properly installed, which comes with a 75-year guarantee.
What style of roof do the nearby homes use?

Agreeing with the other comments here.  We changed from asphalt shingles to metal roofing about 20 years ago on our 100+ year-old farmhouse.  So nice not having to worry about replacing it in 20 - 30 years like the old shingles.  Unlike most of the ribbed metal used for standard outbuildings, our long panels have an interlock at the edges so even more secure against high winds, which we have in abundance.  The only downside I've experienced is that our roof is at a ~45 degree pitch, so accumulated snow can rush off of it rather quickly and unexpectedly.  We know that the solution to this is 'snow cleats' that are embedded at strategic places along the roof to hold snow onto the roof allowing the snow to melt away at its own pace.  In the absence of those, we've ended up with ripped-off gutters from the force of the ice and snow sliding of of that more slippery surface.  Still, in the long run, much worth it!

Agreed. Don't know about more natural options, but our metal roof holds up to regular 40mph winds with gusts up to 60mph in stormy weather.