Winds are a devastating force that might even damage your house, especially its roof. This is especially true for areas that are prone to high-speed winds that reach the speed of 160 mph. A wind of this scale might damage or even blow away the roof of your house.
It is for this reason that you are required to pay special attention while deciding the type of roof and roof materials you are going to get for your house. This is because your house may have to witness and stand the test of some storms, especially if you live near a coastal area (which is prone to this phenomenon).
Carefully selecting the best roofing material for your house will help you save a ton in repair or replacement costs. It will also help prevent possible injuries. The strength of your house against a storm is dependent on the floor plan of your house (whether it is square, hexagonal, etc.) and also the number of slopes in your roof (a hip roof and a gable roof).
Read on to learn more about the best practices for creating a wind-resistant roof.
To make your roof resistant to strong winds, you have to adhere to the suggestions given below. These suggestions are tried and tested by both engineers and researchers. Therefore they might prove to be one of your best defenses against an agitated storm taking over the whole neighborhood.
If you are yet to construct your house and are wondering of ways to make it storm resistant, then you may start by designing a floor plan which is in the shape of a square or the shape of a hexagon (the more, the better). The increased number of walls indicates an increased number of slopes as well as a strong foundation for the roof.
Overhangs refer to the part of the roof which extends from the walls. The more the extension of these walls, the more it makes the entire roof vulnerable to strong wind. This is because wind generates an upward force which will get a better grip if the house has huge overhangs on its sides. So, as a rule of thumb, always go for smaller overhangs.
The installation of the roof and the roof materials is another important step that needs to be done carefully. When using shingles as a roofing material, always use nails instead of staples. The nails have a stronger grip. The use of nails will increase the durability of the shingles.
If you have studied even a little bit of Physics, then you probably are familiar with how aerodynamic design could help increase the speed of a body against the air (flowing in the opposite direction). The same technique could be incorporated into the design of your roof. It will enable the winds to flow around your house without creating many problems. A roof with a 30% steep is advisable for the same.
The pitched roofing system consists of steep roofs, which have been prevalent in the US and Europe because of the design’s ability to dispose of the snow (learn more about /how-to-know-when-to-remove-snow-from-your-roof/), which otherwise would have accumulated on a flat roof. Pitched roofs are of two types to select from.
Hip roofs consist of four or more slopes. The more the number of slopes in the roof, the better its resistance against strong winds. This is because the increased number of roofs divides the air pressure applied on the roof and also has an aerodynamic effect due to more edges. This makes a hip roof one of the best roof shapes for high winds.
Gable roof is not suitable for high-wind-speed areas, like Maryland, as they only have two slopes making them more vulnerable to high-speed winds. It is, however preferred by many as it is cheaper and hence more affordable than the hip roofing style.
Flat roofing type is the new variety that has recently become popular in residential properties. It has a better chance of resisting high-pressure winds as it is strong and sturdy (made out of concrete).
Below are some of the best metal roofing material solutions that can help increase the life of your roof (and the overall property) by increasing its resistance to the high winds of Maryland. The best roof material for a high-wind place should not just withstand terrible weather conditions but also be cost-efficient and long-lasting.
Metal roofing is one of the best ways to increase your defense against the winds as they are heavy and can stand winds of up to 160 mph.
This type of roofing, however, is expensive and requires high installation costs. The roofing needs to be checked regularly to keep rusting at bay. With regular maintenance, metal roofing materials could last for a longer period of time than their counterparts.
Asphalt shingles are rectangular plates covered with asphalt to make them waterproof. These plates are laid in an overlapping fashion so that each plate is pressed by the other. By (nailing instead of stapling) these shingles in the roof (6 nails per plate), the wind resistance of asphalt shingles can be increased manifold. A well-laid-out asphalt shingle roof can stand to wind up to 110 mph. Although it is less sturdy than metal roofing, it is less expensive.
The best roof type for high winds is the hip roof, as they are better connected to the foundation of the house and have lesser chances of blowing away during a storm. However, you can also choose the new flat roof variety as they are more sturdy. Asphalt shingles can prove to be a cheaper alternative to metal roofing as they can stand high-speed winds of up to 110mph or more when they are fixed to the roof using nails rather than staples.
Consult with your local roofing professional in Maryland today to discuss your roofing materials and installation to prepare for high wind storms this year.