As I write this, I am looking out the window at one of Sarasota’s legendary afternoon storms. The summer months encompass hurricane season, which keeps us on high alert for a big storm for six months per year.

But even when we are not dealing with a newsworthy event, our daily afternoon downpours are quite impressive in their own right. Wind can whip up in a moment, and the rain can be torrential.

Of course, we know that we will soon return to our beautiful blue skies and sunshine, but it begs the question – in a region known for severe wind and rain, what are the best roofing materials to withstand the weather?

We have discussed that the top 3 best roofing materials in Florida are clay /slate tile, asphalt shingles, and metal. Here are some thoughts as to how well each of those choices stands up to wind and rain.

• Clay or Slate Tile: Because of their weight, these tiles hold up very well to wind. In fact, even after recent major storms, people report that their roof has weathered the storm beautifully. The greater threat to these tiles is damage from flying debris, which can crack the tiles. Slate or stone are less vulnerable than clay tile in this regard.

When it comes to rain, a clay or stone tile roof is not generally affected, unless the tiles have been significantly damaged. In general, rain causes no issues for a tile roof.

• Metal Roofing: Metal roofs will cost you more upon installation, but more than makeup for that cost in durability, long life, and peace of mind. This material defies wind and rain, with the roof either consisting of metal sheets folded or crimped together at the edges, or interlocking metal shingles. Both provide a strong connection which not only rides out the storm but is also the least likely material to be damaged by flying debris. Keep in mind, in a driving rainstorm, a metal roof may be quite loud. Many people love that attribute, but it is something to consider as you will likely be listening to rain on the roof quite often during our frequent (but short) summer storms.
• Asphalt Shingles: Because of their affordability, asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material on homes across the United States. But how do they hold up to wind and rain? Standard asphalt shingles are certified to handle wind speeds from 60 to 80 miles per hour, which represents a large tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane. We often see stronger storms cross over Florida, so you may wish to consider premium-priced, laminated shingles – which can be certified for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour. Wind can get caught up under shingles and begin ripping them off, making them much more vulnerable to a major wind event than tile or metal. When it comes to persistent, heavy rains, asphalt tiles can lose their surface granules and begin to break down over time, leaving you vulnerable for leaks. You will want to inspect your roof after every big storm, just to check visually if there is any obvious damage to an area of shingles. You can also check your gutters – if you begin to see a large number of granules from the shingles, have your roof inspected.

Every properly installed roof should last you many years under normal circumstances. But let’s face it – the Sarasota weather can sometimes present less-than-normal conditions.

But by simply staying vigilant and checking your roof after each major storm, you should be able to catch any issues early and before they become a major problem.

As we near the end of hurricane season, now is a perfect time to call Avery Roof Services to schedule an inspection. Then you can enter into the next Sarasota rainy season with confidence.