According to the data from Verisk, in 2021, hail damaged more than 6.8 million properties, resulting in insurance claims amounting to $16.5 billion. Although hail can occur almost anywhere, the central and midwestern states of the United States are at a greater risk. Among them, Texas, Indiana, and Ohio are among the top states with the largest number of houses damaged by hail in 2021.
To protect a house from hail damage, the roofing material should be of high quality and be able to withstand as much impact as possible. The strength and integrity of a house largely depend on the quality of the roof. Therefore, a durable roof is essential for protecting the house from damage caused by weather events, especially those involving hail.
Why is roof damage such a concern?
The roof is the first line of defense for a house against all weather conditions, such as sunlight, wind, rain, hail, snow, and ice, as well as impacts from debris. With this in mind, it is obvious that no one wants to see large holes in the roof or missing roofing materials. But what about smaller issues, such as small holes, wear and tear, or cracks?
Once the roof is damaged by hail, even slightly, it will become more vulnerable to more severe damage during the next hail event. A small crack that may go unnoticed will become worse and worse after each storm, leading to further damage.
Exposure to hail can cause tiles to lose their water resistance and allow water to seep beneath the tiles. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, and the water can also weaken the roofing materials. Not to mention that the water can leak into the house and cause interior damage.
How does hail affect roofing materials?
Asphalt Shingles
Hail can cause asphalt shingles to crack or lose granules (the mineral granule coating that gives them a sandpaper-like texture). Hail can also wear down the adhesive on the self-sealing strips, especially large and heavy hail, causing the shingles to fall off. If the shingles are damaged, hail can eventually reach and fracture the fiberglass mat to which the granular layer is attached. If this happens, the roof will be more exposed to the elements.
Clay Barrel Tiles
Clay barrel tiles are extremely durable and can last for hundreds of years if properly maintained. However, after years of exposure to sunlight and weather, they may become brittle. During a hail storm, large hail can crack the tiles, causing unsightly damage and allowing moisture to penetrate into the roof itself and eventually into the house.
Resin Tiles
Resin is a natural waterproof material, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely waterproof. When resin tiles are damaged in a hail storm, cracks in the resin tiles may form or become larger, making them more susceptible to water damage and the growth of mold and mildew.
Slate Tiles
Slate is a durable roofing material, but it is also prone to flaking and cracking over time. Hail can exacerbate these problems by creating new cracks or worsening existing ones. Repairing a slate roof can be difficult and costly because the slate should be replaced by a specialist.
Stone Coated Metal Roofing
Metal roofs can withstand hail attacks without the threat of damage. Especially when the base plate of stone coated metal roofing is selected to be more than 0.4mm, hail can do nothing to it. There will be no problems of water leakage or color fading within 50 years.
The Best Roof for Hail Protection
For areas prone to hail attacks, stone coated metal roofing materials are the best choice. SKW Company provides stone coated metal roofing materials with a base plate of more than 0.4mm – this is the current highest impact rating. It can ensure that the roof maintains its strength and integrity when facing destructive weather events such as hail and flying debris.
Stone coated metal roofing materials also have a longer service life, are lighter in weight, have stronger durability, and are more aesthetically pleasing than traditional clay, resin, slate, or asphalt roofing tiles. They also come in a variety of colors that cannot be achieved by natural materials or asphalt shingles. This allows you to choose the perfect look while protecting your home with peace of mind.
Please contact the experts of SKW Company immediately to request a sample and discuss how to best protect your home from hail and other extreme weather.