When it comes to protecting your home or business from extreme weather conditions, your roof is your first line of defense.

More and more builders are opting for metal roofing – with its ability to withstand fire, strong winds, hail, snow, and flying debris – to safeguard their loved ones and investments against the elements.

“A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hailstorms, and even wildfires. Metal roofing has a 140-mph wind rating, meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour,” says the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Metal Roofing Put to the Test as 2023 Breaks Weather Records

Metal roofs are certainly being put to the test, not just in Florida and other storm-prone areas, but across every region of the U.S. as 2023 has seen a record number of billion-dollar disasters occur before the peak of hurricane season.

“The count of billion-dollar weather disasters in the United States so far in 2023 already smashed a record for any year, according to a new government report,” reported the Weather Channel in September. “NOAA's August national climate report released Monday found that 23 weather events caused at least $1 billion in damage in the U.S. this year, one more than the record for any year of 22 set in 2020.”

The Weather Channel said the U.S. has already seen the following with four months left in the year:

• NOAA estimates 23 U.S. weather disasters with damage of at least $1 billion have happened already in 2023.
  
  
• That's an all-time record number for any year dating to 1980.
  
  
• Eighteen of those events were from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
  
  
• Others included California flooding, the Lahaina firestorm, and a cold outbreak around Groundhog Day
  
  

“These events caused 253 direct and indirect fatalities and produced more than $57.6 billion in damage,” reported NOAA. “Since 1980, when NOAA started tracking these events, the U.S. has sustained 371 separate weather and climate disasters where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2023). The total cost of these 371 events exceeds $2.615 trillion.”

The “Miracle House”: Lahaina Home with Metal Roof Survives Wildfire

The extreme weather in 2023 started with Pacific storms in January that dumped flooding water in California and stretched to August when drought conditions and strong winds in Laina on Maui, Hawaii, resulted in one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history with at least 115 killed and $5+ billion in damage.

One of the only structures spared in one section of Lahaina was a nearly 100-year-old home that recently had renovations including a red metal roof installed.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the homeowners, working closely with the county and the local historic commission, replaced the home’s asphalt roof with heavy-gauge metal.

“When this was all happening, there were pieces of wood — 6, 12 inches long — that were on fire and just almost floating through the air with the wind and everything,” the homeowner Dora Atwater Millikin told the Times. “They would hit people’s roofs, and if it was an asphalt roof, it would catch on fire. And otherwise, they would fall off the roof and then ignite the foliage around the house.”

Susie Kocher, forestry advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension, who co-authored a guide on how to harden homes against wildfire, told the newspaper that “roofs are the No. 1 factor that contributes to the flammability of a home because they can serve as large landing pads for embers.”

The Growing Popularity of Metal Roofing

The meteoric rise in the popularity of metal roofing is no accident. Builders and property owners alike are increasingly recognizing the value of this durable roofing solution.

“Residential metal roofs are growing in popularity across the United States as homeowners become more aware of critical benefits beyond their unique look,” says Sherwin-Williams. “A properly installed metal roof protects a building from fire, strong winds, hail, snow, and debris.”

Some of the factors making metal roofing a go-to solution for builders include:

• Longevity: Metal roofs have a significantly longer lifespan compared to traditional asphalt shingles, often lasting 50 years or more. This longevity makes them a cost-effective choice in the long run.
  
  
• Durability: Metal roofs are highly resistant to the elements, making them an excellent choice for extreme weather conditions. They can withstand high winds, heavy snow loads, and even hail without sustaining significant damage.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs are reflective and can help keep your building cooler in the summer, reducing energy costs. They are also excellent at preventing ice dams in cold climates.
  
  
• Fire Resistance: Metal roofs are non-combustible, making them an ideal choice in fire-prone regions. They can help protect your property from wildfires, a growing concern in many areas.
  
  
• Low Maintenance: Metal roofing requires minimal maintenance compared to other roofing materials, reducing the long-term cost of ownership.
  
  

Metal Roofs Have You Covered When Extreme Weather Hits

Insulated metal panels (IMPs), such as Green Span Profiles' wall and roof systems can meet strict building codes in hurricane zones.

“A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hailstorms, and even wildfires. Metal roofing has a 140-mph wind rating, meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour,” says the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Let’s look at how metal roofing excels in challenging weather conditions:

• High Winds: Metal roofs are known for their wind resistance. They are often rated to withstand wind speeds of up to 140 miles per hour or more. This resilience makes them a go-to choice in hurricane-prone regions of the South.
  
  
• Hail: Traditional asphalt shingles can easily crack when struck by hail, leading to costly repairs. In contrast, metal roofs can handle hail with minimal damage, thanks to their durable materials like steel or aluminum.
  
  
• Fire: In wildfire-prone areas, the fire resistance of metal roofs is a significant advantage. Embers from wildfires are less likely to ignite metal roofing materials, providing valuable protection to your property.
  
  
• Snow and Ice: Metal roofs shed snow and ice quickly, reducing the risk of roof damage or leaks due to heavy snow loads. This is particularly beneficial in the snowy climates of the Northeast and Midwest.
  
  
• Rain and Moisture: Metal roofs are designed with excellent waterproofing features, ensuring that they prevent leaks even during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Proper installation is crucial to achieve this.
  
  

The Benefits of Metal Roofing by Region

The NOAA U.S. 20223 Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters chart shows that extreme weather events are spread across every region of the country.

The benefits of metal roofing by region:

• South: Metal roofing is a top choice in the South, where hurricanes and heavy rain are common. Their wind resistance and ability to shed water quickly make them an ideal solution. They also provide a much-needed respite from the scorching sun, reducing cooling costs.

Sherwin-Wiliams says metal roofs do so well in hurricanes “because they are installed with a continuous piece that stretches from the eave to the ridge, reducing the chance for wind and moisture to penetrate the roof. Metal roofing also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than any other roofing material and is attached to the roof deck with screws, making it resistant to high stress loads from hurricanes and high winds.”

• Northeast: Metal roofs are a perfect fit for the Northeast, where snow and ice can wreak havoc on traditional roofing materials. Their ability to shed snow quickly prevents ice dams and helps maintain structural integrity.
• Midwest: The Midwest experiences a range of extreme weather, from tornadoes to blizzards. Metal roofs can withstand the high winds of tornadoes and efficiently shed snow, making them a reliable choice for this region. Metal roofs are also more resistant to hail damage than other types of roofing.

Sherwin-Williams says that roof damage from hail represents one of the most common homeowner insurance claims.”

• West: In the arid West, where wildfires are a significant threat, metal roofs' fire resistance provides peace of mind. They also excel in areas prone to drought, as their reflective properties help reduce cooling costs.

No matter what part of the country you live and work in, metal roofing offers a winning combination of longevity, durability, energy efficiency, and resistance to extreme weather conditions.

Contact Green Span Profiles today to learn more about their Made in the USA line of eight different insulated metal wall panel profiles and their standing seam roof offering which can provide your building with weather protection in any region.