Prior to delving into the details of the different tests and standards that the metal roofing industry relies upon, an overview of metal roofing panel types is in order. In addition, an analysis of roofing successes and failures in the aftermath of a high wind event provides valuable lessons learned in approaching the next tornado and hurricane season. As well, this knowledge is valuable to the specifiers when creating the project specifications. By understanding these tried-and-true wind resistance tests and standards, and better visualizing how high winds can impact product performance, architects will be much better informed when designing metal roof systems. The key to success is in the details regardless of the material type/product.”īut before a commercial roofing project reaches the installation stage, architects are strongly advised to ensure that the metal roofing systems they select meet several key testing protocols. AIA, CSI, CCCA, LEED Green Associate, a senior associate and architect with Michael Baker International’s Tampa location, stated, “If designed and installed properly, then metal roofs perform well in Florida. #Fabral metal roofs professional#While high-quality metal roofing systems have been engineered to deliver enhanced durability and longevity, their performance is ultimately dependent on professional installation by roofing experts who are familiar with these systems and committed to following the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 580 tests and assigns a category based upon the roof deckĪnd coverings’ level of uplift resistance. “Out of all the roofing types that are out there, you have got the best chance of survival with a properly installed metal roof,” stated Jim Bush, Metal Construction Association Chairman (MCA) and a member of the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) wind investigation teams. Consequently, many metal roofs are rated up to 150 miles per hour-the equivalent of a major Category 4 hurricane and an F2 tornado. In the event that some wind manages to get in between the metal covering and the underlayment, metal’s ability to breathe and expand enables it to endure a high level of wind pressure. With larger interlocking panels, and fewer seams and overlaps than other roofing systems, there is less opportunity for the wind to penetrate. Says the Metal Roofing Alliance, “Metal roofing is in high demand in hurricane-prone regions, due to its exceptionally long-lasting durability and protection against heavy rain, hailstones, and hurricane force winds.” “Because roof covering damage has historically been the most frequent and costly type of wind damage, special attention needs to be given to roof system design,” said Tom Smith, AIA, TLSmith Consulting in the National Institute of Building Sciences Whole Building Design Guide’s (WBDG) “Wind Safety of the Building Envelope.”įrom the assorted materials and systems available on the market, high-quality metal roofing is arguably one of the best choices for protection from high winds. documented a record of seven tropical cyclones and 13 severe storms.Ĭausing death, injury, and unprecedented property damage, the 2020 billion-dollar disaster report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information documents an astounding $1.3 trillion in damages from storms and cyclones since 1980.įor buildings, the first line of defense against these intense forces of nature is the roofing system. Hurricane Maria hit the Caribbean in September with a $91.6 billion price tag on the heels of Hurricane Irma, which ravaged through the Caribbean and Florida earlier that month causing $77.5 billion in damages, according to the U.S. Texas bore the brunt of Hurricane Harvey which caused a total of $125 billion in damages. In 2017 alone, damage from hurricanes were off the charts. And tornadoes are pounding the Midwest and South with alarming regularity. The eastern seaboard and Gulf States from upper Maine all the way down to Texas are contending with a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. When designing and installing metal roofs, the stakes are high in hurricane- and tornado-prone areas.
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