If you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, you need to be sure that your roof is strong enough to hold up to the storms. There are many different roofing options available, and knowing which one is the best fit for your home takes a little bit of research and thought. Before you jump into any roofing choice, you may want to explore the benefits of metal roofing for hurricane-prone environments. Here are a few reasons to consider a metal roof for your replacement.

Minimal Seams

Metal roofing is installed differently compared to shingles. Instead of having seams around every shingle, metal roofing is installed in sheets. Every seam of shingle roofing is a vulnerability for wind to get underneath and lift, as well as a gap where rain and other weather hazards from hurricanes can seep through.

Most metal roofs are either welded at the seams or anchored down with fasteners and then sealed. If you choose corrosion-resistant fasteners or seal over the welded seams, you can actually create a roof that is nearly impenetrable by rain, wind, and hail. Since even the lowest category hurricane can produce winds nearing 100 miles per hour, any roofing that doesn't have the vulnerability to be lifted by those winds is worth the investment.

Low Fire Risk

The damage caused by hurricanes can lead to fires, especially if power lines are knocked down or transformers are damaged. If you want to reduce your chances of a fire caused by an external source, investing in roofing that's fire resistant can help.

Metal roofing isn't as vulnerable to fire and won't burn like many shingle-style roof materials. That makes it a great option when you're living in an area where storms like these are a concern. You may even be able to coat your metal roof with a sealant that helps to reduce the fire vulnerability even more.

Easily Installed Over Other Roofing

Since metal roofing is thin and lightweight, it can easily be installed over other roofing materials. If your existing roof isn't damaged but you just want to ensure greater protection against storm threats, you may want to talk with your roofing contractor about installing the new metal roof over your existing roofing. The best benefit to this is the fact that you'll have added insulation and protection against leaks, because you'll have a complete second layer of roofing beneath the metal. That means that if there IS ever any penetration, you've got less risk of any kind of water damage or other problems.

Stronger Than Other Roofing

Metal, by nature, is strong enough to withstand a lot of weight and stress. In situations where things like ceramic roofing shingles or even asphalt shingles would crumble under weight, metal will hold up. Especially if you anchor your metal roofing with heavy-duty screws and welded seams, you'll have a roof that isn't so susceptible to crushing.

In areas that are prone to hurricanes, this is very important. Tree limbs, power poles, and other debris can be blown around easily in hurricane-force winds, and if you have something like this land on a shingle roof, it's likely to go straight through. With the strength of metal on your roof, you won't have the same worry. It'll resist the weight of many of these things where other roofing can't.

As you can see, there are many reasons to consider metal roofing for your home. Don't put yourself at risk of having to replace your roof after every hurricane this storm season. Talk with a local roofing contractor today about the possibility of putting a metal roof on your home, even if you have to install it over the top of your existing roofing material.

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