can your roof withstand wind

Last night’s storm brought us hurricane-force wind gusts, heavy rains, downed trees, and power outages across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and the rest of New England. Some areas in Massachusetts even reported wind gusts in upwards of 75 miles per hour. In the aftermath of the storm, many homeowners were left assessing the damage to their homes and property.

With any luck, for most homeowners, their home’s roof offered the protection that their home needs to withstand hurricane-force weather. Did you know that when wind approaches a roof it accelerates by 250%? This creates increased stress on the most vulnerable part of your roof – the point where shingles overlap. The best protection against high winds is making sure your roof shingles have the RIGHT kind of self-sealing adhesive keeping them securely fastened.

As a GAF Master Elite Contractor, our GAF shingles are installed with Dura Grip adhesive. Why you ask? Dura Grip is a specifically formulated adhesive that bonds with the sun’s rays to prevent the shingles from lifting up in high winds. All GAF shingles are tested by two government tests via the ASTM (American Society of Tested Materials) to make sure that your roof gets the best protection possible…guaranteed. In addition, GAF tests the shingles in sub-zero weather to make sure they will withstand 110 MPH winds for two straight full hours and the force to perform under 150 MPH gusts. Talk about a peace of mind quality guarantee!

What Do You Need To Know?

wind speeds massachusetts

6 Tips on How to Storm-Proof Your Roof Against Wind Gusts

  1.  According to the map above New England weather can dish out up to 140+ MPH wind gusts (violet section).
  2.  More than 60% of all homes in the U.S. are vulnerable to damage from high winds generated by storms and heavy rains.
  3.  Many “value priced” roofing contractors in Massachusetts use shingles that are only rated up to 60 MPH.
  4.  If you have blown-off shingles your home may be vulnerable to structural damage, mold, and mildew.
  5.  You should not assume that all roofing contractors know about the code requirements with regard to wind speed or, unfortunately, abide by them.
  6.  Check the wind rating of the shingles installed on your home or before you choose your new roof!

Do you have questions about your roof? Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home, your most valuable investment. Contact us today to get your FREE roof assessment and start protecting your home for a lifetime!