Metal Roofing in Coastal Areas

For residential homes in hurricane-prone coastal areas, metal roofing can offer durability and longevity other roofing materials can’t.

We have sometimes been asked if metal roofing is hurricane proof. The short answer is no, but that doesn’t mean that metal roofing isn’t a better alternative to other roofing materials.

It is important to understand that no roofing material is hurricane proof. That being said, a properly installed metal roof should not lift off from the home during high winds.

However, any roof can sustain physical damage from debris during a storm, and any physical damage is going to impact the roofs integrity and weather tightness.

Further, there are a number of factors that impact the amount of force a home will experience during a hurricane. Some of these factors include the height of the building, shape, roof pitch, width of the building, and topography. All of the factors along with the type of metal roof and how it is installed all effect how much wind a roof can withstand.

The single biggest factor for how much wind a roof can withstand is going to be the spacing and size of the sub-structural decking or framing that the metal panels are attached to. Thicker wood or metal decking and closely spaced open framing (purlins) will perform better than thinner materials spaced farther apart.

There are also specific steps that can be taken to make a metal roof more wind resistant. Things like more clips and fasteners, selecting a heavier gauge and narrower width, and using sealants/adhesives can all increase wind resistance. Standing seam systems are also better for water-tightness and wind resistance.  

So, all of that being said, it is possible, in theory, that a thru fastened metal roof installed with the appropriate amount of fasteners could withstand almost any amount of wind.

How metal roofing in coastal areas will perform during a storm is intrinsically tied to the type of metal roofing, how it is installed, and the home itself. If you’d like to learn more about designing and installing metal roofing systems in enhance wind resistance, we recommended checking out “Metal Roof Systems in High-Wind Regions,” which is a document from FEMA about this topic.

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The best way to maximize your metal roofs durability and longevity is to work with an engineer or qualified distributor/contractor of metal roofing systems. You can find a McElroy Metal Distributor or Contractor here.