Toledo Roofers: Article About Helpful Roof Ratings
Wind uplift is caused when wind blows across the top of the roof and swirls around a building, exerting pressure on the outside frame. This creates a rising wind pressure that leads to roof blow offs.
Toledo roofers FAQ: What types of roofs are good for very windy areas?Many asphalt shingle roofs can resist winds up to 150 mph when properly installed, and metal roofs are also a good choice. Concrete or clay tiles are sometimes a good option although they can break easily if wind blows heavy debris onto them. Slate is another excellent choice for windy areas.
Shopping for a new roof is filled with sorting through countless style options, confusing manufacturer labels and a host of safety ratings that are tough for the lay person to understand. The decision is made easier if homeowners have trusted Toledo roofers who can guide them in their search for the perfect roof, but it's helpful if consumers understand some of the ratings beforehand.
One of a roof's most important features is its fire safety. About 370,000 U.S. homes catch fire each year, causing $6.8 billion dollars in property damage. Most consumers concerned about fire risk automatically think concrete tile and metal roofs are the best options. While they are excellent choices, many of today's asphalt and architectural shingle roofs also offer outstanding fire protection. Today's roofs are tested and rated for their ability to withstand intermittent flames, ignition from burning material and the spread of fire. Those roofs that best protect against these elements are rated Class A while lower resistance to these forces is rated as Class C.
In regions plagued by tornadoes, tropical storms and hurricanes, wind safety is an equally important concern. Roofing materials undergo a variety of tests to verify their ability to repel wind uplift and high winds. The results of some of these tests are expressed in ratings of Class A to Class H.
The roofers from Johnson Roofing of Toledo would be happy to answer any questions you have about roof repair or commercial roofing.
Class H rated roofs offer the best wind protection, withstanding winds up to 150 mph.
Some of the same storms that produce tornadoes and forceful winds can also create ravaging hailstorms that wreak havoc on roofs. To help consumers understand a roof's ability to endure hail, testing labs pelt roofs with steel stones administered at 90 mph to determine how the roof resists the repeated force. Roofs that meet Class 1 standards offer the least protection from hail stones, and Class 4 roofs provide the greatest hail storm safety.
Consumers can also get a hint of a roof's energy efficiency by looking at its labeled Solar Reflectance Index, or SRI. The Index is a matrix of how the roof reflects solar energy and radiates absorbed heat. This offers important information because roofs that absorb a large amount of heat tend to transfer that heat into the homes below, escalating cooling costs on warm days. The roof's SRI is rated from 0 to 100; roofs with higher values are "cooler."
Whether homeowners are concerned about their roof's wherewithal on hot summer days or during wind, hail or fire storms, the information consumers need is readily available from experienced roofing contractors and manufacturer labels.
