What Parts Of A Roof Are Most Susceptible To Wind Damage?

Understanding how your roof might respond to the high-speed wind produced during a storm is easier than you might think. You don't need to be an architect or contractor to pick out which parts of a roof are most susceptible to damage. It's as simple as considering where the wind tends to hit a building and how it generates a lifting force to see where your roof might be at risk. Addressing design issues or changing materials during the installation process of a new residential roof can prevent damage for years to come.

Roof Edges

The edge of the roof is one of the most vulnerable areas when it comes to strong winds. This is because the edge of a roof is exposed enough in most designs that it catches the wind that hits the side of the house and rises up. This uplifting force catches the overhang of the roof's eaves, especially at the corners, and pushes upward to cause serious damage in many cases. If you have a low pitch on your roof combined with a large overhang, this problem can be especially severe. Eaves should be reinforced if high winds are a concern in your area.

Individual Shingles

Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material that can handle a certain wind load before lifting up. Other materials like slate and metal roofs may be more resistant but still will lift up under a heavy enough pressure from the wind. Still, individual shingles of any material are more likely to lift than large sheets of material like metal roofing. However, it's sometimes easier to repair individual shingles than large sections of roofing material. A local roofing company can help you find the best wind-resistant materials depending on the specific storm risks in the area.

Roof Ridge

The ridge of the roof also experiences a lot of wind exposure, especially on multi-story houses and designs with high slope roofs. The higher the roof, the more likely the wind will be able to create enough lift to pull off individual shingles or tear off the ridge cover. Rain is also at risk of being driven through the ridge vents if there's not sufficient cover from shingles or metal cap designs. As with the potential for damage to the roof's edges, the damage tends to be concentrated at the corners. The ridge is easily reinforced with additional cover and stronger vent attachment methods to ensure storm damage doesn't cause any leaks.