The key to a prolonging the life of your roof is to make it weatherproof. Many of us have heard of the importance of using high end roofing membranes to avoid rain or snow penetrating through and coming into your home. But, did you know that wind-proofing your roof is also critical for the health of your home and roof? Today I will share with you the top four tips for keeping your roofing “immune” to wind.

Shingle Manufacturer:

The first step is kind of obvious but still worth mentioning. Buy a high end shingle with a high IRC (International Residential Code) windproof rating. A “designer imposter” shingle cannot be trusted for wind resistance and they likely do not come with any long term warranties. Higher end shingle manufacturers like GAF, Certainteed & Tamko are ideal as their windproof rating can be relied upon and they will be backed up by manufacturer service agreements and warranties.

Drip Edges

Your drip edge is a key factor when it comes to protecting your shingles from wind. The edges of your roof are very vulnerable to wind. Therefore, a metal drip edge attached tightly to your framing will help sustain your shingles when attacked by wind. A wider edge is recommended as the cost is minimal and the benefits are great.

Sticky Edges

Conventional rake edges just don’t do the job when it comes to keeping your shingles protected from wind. Starter adhesive strips along the edges of your roof are a great way to tackle this issue. Thankfully, large shingle manufacturers like GAF produce some high end self-adhering starter rolls. Just make sure they are located as close to the bottom edge of the roof as possible while still attached to the roof deck.

Shingle Nails:

The IRC requires shingles to be labeled with their official wind resistance capabilities. But, the resistance that different types of shingles possess against wind are only as good as how you nail them down. Manufacturers have very meticulous rules about how their specific shingle should be nailed down in order to achieve maximum performance. It’s important for every roofing contractor to follow these guidelines closely. From distance between the nails to the amount of nails, pay close attention. Finally, be careful from under-driven nails which will wear out your shingles over time by breaking through the surface. Finally, the type of nail, the size and the corrosion resistance of the nails is key. So roofers and homeowners alike, do not be cheap or frugal when it comes to the nails.