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Bridger Steel Project News, Highlights & Helpful Tips

High Wind Areas & Metal Roofing

[fa icon="calendar"] 09/07/2021 / by Kaylee Beattie

Environments that experience frequent high-speed winds need a high-performing roofing solution that’s going to last. While it is impossible to call any roofing material 100% wind-resistant, a metal roof that’s been properly designed offers an incredibly durable and capable solution. Here’s everything you need to know about metal roofing handling high-wind areas.

High Wind Roofing Solutions

Before choosing a roofing solution for your home or building, it’s important to understand what all goes into a well-designed roof that will hold up in your windy environment. Learning about the different rating systems for wind uplift is a good place to start. No matter if you’re in a southern state facing tropical storms or along a mountainous ridge in the Rocky Mountains, you can find a metal roofing solution that has stellar ratings.

What is Wind Uplift?

When air pressure below a roofing system is higher than the air pressure above it, wind uplift occurs. It’s important to remember that “roofing system” in this case means all the surface materials, fasteners, and other hardware used to secure the system to the roof deck.

In simpler terms, think of it like this: When wind blows over the top of a roof’s surface, the pressure above a roof decreases (creating negative pressure). Simultaneously while this occurs, the wind causes air to infiltrate below the roofing materials through openings or cracks (creating positive pressure). The result of these two types of pressures occurring at the same time, which creates a force that pushes and pulls the roofing materials and causes the roof to separate from the roof deck. Wind uplift can damage roof overhangs, ridges, eaves, and other vulnerable parts of the roof.

The following factors affect how drastic wind uplift may be in your area:

  • Location & Landscape — The area and its surrounding terrain can either increase or decrease the wind effect on your property. For example, if you have a lot of buildings or mountains close by, they can act as an obstruction to incoming wind and break the flow. On the other hand, flat, open plains or areas near large bodies of water may have an increased risk of wind uplift.
  • Home/Building Height — Roofs that are on higher buildings or homes can experience a bigger risk of wind uplift. A steep-sloped roof is also more prone to wind uplift.
  • Openings — In your home or building’s design, the amount of openings, vents, and other similar components can create more pressure on the interior of your roof.
  • Type of Fastener — The type of fasteners in your chosen panel also can affect how drastic wind uplift may be. A fixed clip system for concealed fastener panels gives a more rigid connection to the substrate, but can be more restrictive in allowing your panels to move with fluctuating temperatures. Exposed fastener panels offer a more substantial solution against wind, but will require more frequent inspections to ensure a proper seal.

Understanding how these factors affect and will interact with your home is key in choosing the right type of panel.

Wind Uplift Ratings

To take on the challenges that wind uplift presents, you need strong, wind-rated metal roofing panels that have been tested for that type of environment. There are different wind uplift ratings, and we’re going to break each of them down. Please keep in mind that we’re only giving information related to the two ratings that we offer for our panels.

ASTM E1592

The ASTM E1592 is a standard test by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that provides a standard procedure to evaluate and confirm structural performance of sheet metal panels and anchor-to-panel attachments under uniform static air pressure. This test covers roofing and siding performance using a test chamber/surface support. It’s intended to represent the effects of uniform loads on a building’s exterior surface elements. 

UL 580

The UL 580 is a standard test by UL (a global safety science leader and creator of product safety standards) that tests for uplift resistance on roof assemblies, which consists of the roof deck, its attachment to supports, and roof covering materials. It tests the materials under both the positive and negative pressures of wind uplift. 

Wind Rated Panels

Bridger Steel offers quite a few panels that are have been tested, rated, and are recommended for high wind environments, including the following:

Metal roofs are a structurally-sound, unbelievably durable roofing solution for areas that experience frequent high-speed wind. The key is understanding your surrounding area and other factors that affect wind uplift, and then selecting the proper panel. With all the panels available in many different styles and finishes, you can get the strength you need and the style you want without sacrificing either.

If you’re interested in finding out more about high-wind roofing options, talk to a Bridger Steel Product Specialist today. Our team of experts can help you find the right wind-rated product for your home or building’s specific needs. We can even make product and finish recommendations to help you get all the details you need figured out. Contact Us today or fill out the Get a Quote form to get started.

Topics: Metal Roofing, Home Advice

Kaylee Beattie

Written by Kaylee Beattie