Top Six Common Roof Types & How to Pick One for Your Home

While you can't control the weather, you can minimize its impact on your home. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you can take steps before and after a storm to protect your property from damage. For instance, choosing quality hurricane roofing materials and completing proper roof maintenance can help reduce roof damage.Here's everything you need to know to prepare your roof for hurricane season.Types of Hurricane Roofing MaterialsThe Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies hurricane categories based on their highest approximate wind speeds:Category 1: 74 to 95 mph windsCategory 2: 96 to 110 mph windsCategory 3: 111 to 129 mph windsCategory 4: 130 to 156 mph windsCategory 5: 157 mph or higher windsWith this in mind, specific roofing materials are designed to resist high winds and protect against damage from debris.Impact-Resistant ShinglesImpact-resistant shingles meet the UL 2218 impact test standards, defending your roof—and home—against the natural elements. They can cost more than typical asphalt shingles but can be worth the expense if you live in a hurricane-prone region.Metal RoofingMetal roofing can resist heavy impacts and withstand high winds, making it one of the best roofing systems for hurricanes. Some metal roofs can withstand wind speeds up to 150 mph, covering you even during Category 4 hurricanes.Synthetic RoofingSynthetic roofing materials resist wind, water, and fire damage, making them beneficial during hurricanes. Since they use man-made materials, they don't rely on a natural build. Instead, they're built with damage-resistant features in mind while mimicking the appearance of natural materials. These composite roofing shingles are typically made from recycled plastic, asphalt, and other products.GAF Hurricane Roofing SolutionsYour choice of roofing materials can limit roof damage. Some products are manufactured specially to withstand the harshest weather conditions and keep everyone in your home safe. Here are a few GAF products developed with harsh weather in mind.GAF Timberline® AS II ShinglesTimberline® AS II Shingles are created with proprietary SBS-modified asphalt that's flexible to bolster impact resistance. Impact resistant shingles can be stronger than other non-impact resistant asphalt shingles, and since they pass the UL 2218 impact-resistance test, you could potentially qualify for insurance discounts. Timberline® AS II shingles come with a 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty that protects against algae discoloration. Plus, when installed with four qualifying GAF accessories, they're eligible for the WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty, which provides infinite wind speed protection.GAF Grand Sequoia® AS ShinglesGrand Sequoia® AS Shingles also pass the UL 2218 Class 4 test, as they're built with the same SBS-modified asphalt formula. The DuraGrip™ Adhesive seals shingles tightly to prevent wind blow-off, and the shingles are warrantied against winds up to 130 mph, covering Category 4 hurricane winds.GAF TimberSteelTM Premium Metal Roofing SystemThe GAF TimberSteel™ Premium Metal Roofing System gives your home the hurricane-resistant capabilities of metal roofing at an affordable price. The system can help keep your home safe against high winds and rain through its multiple layers of protection. It's designed to provide a beautiful look with GALVALUME® steel that features top and bottom interlocking to keep everything tight and leakproof.Hurricane-Resistant Roof DesignsMore goes into building a hurricane-resistant roof than just the material. The roof shape and slope can provide additional resistance.Hip roofs can best resist hurricane weather. Although they're typically costlier to build than gable roofs, a hip roof's four slopes provide better wind uplift resistance than a gable roof's two slopes. As the wind flows around the roof causing pressure differences, the additional slopes are better equipped to handle the wind flow.A 30-degree roof slope also provides the best protection against high winds, preventing wind from easily lifting the roof.Installation Quality Plays an Important RoleRoofing contractors must follow proper techniques when preparing or installing a roof for hurricane season. This often means using nails instead of staples to install shingles since nails better attach the shingle to the roof and create fewer holes for water to get in. Likewise, properly installed flashing—without gaps in the intersection—helps keep heavy rainfall from entering the home.Additionally, a contractor can install hurricane clips to ready a roof for harsh weather. These steel plates secure and connect roof trusses to the home's wall structure, keeping the roof attached during high winds. In states like Florida, new homes are required to have hurricane clips installed.Preparing Your Roof for Hurricane SeasonThe Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and lasts until November 30, reaching its peak in September.Months before hurricane season approaches, schedule a professional roof inspection from a trusted contractor to ensure your roof is up-to-date and isn't damaged. This gives you sufficient time to complete any maintenance and repairs before the season arrives, as contractors might be busy once it starts.Reinforce Weakened AreasA weak spot in your roofing system can lead to further damage and compromise the rest of the roof's integrity. Even a small opening in a shingle can cause serious water damage during a rainstorm. Your roofing contractor can fix or replace loose or torn shingles, repair broken flashing or fascia, clean debris from your roof, and clear out your gutters.Mitigate Potential Tree DamageSharp winds and storms can sometimes cause tree branches to break and fall on top of the roof, damaging shingles or other materials. So, trim nearby trees as part of your roof maintenance. Also, remove fallen leaves before and after storms. Leaves can clog gutters, preventing water from flowing off the roof during heavy rain.Schedule Post-Storm InspectionsRoofing maintenance after a storm is just as important as before a storm. If a hurricane damages your roof, find a company that handles storm damage roof repair. While you can try assessing any roof damage from the ground, a roofing contractor can accurately identify the damage extent and fix it. They can also help you with any insurance claims if your policy covers you for these circumstances.Protecting Your Roof from Hurricane DamageYou can take several proactive measures to minimize the impact of harsh weather on your roof. Choosing the right materials—and ensuring they're installed correctly—is paramount. Hire a GAF-certified roofing contractor*and enjoy peace of mind as the next storm approaches.FAQCan a roof be hurricane-proof?Due to the nature of hurricanes, no roof is 100% hurricane-proof. But wind- and moisture-resistant roofs perform the best during hurricanes. This is why it's important to choose quality products that will protect your home in the worst possible weather conditions.What is the best roof for a hurricane?The best roof for a hurricane is made with impact-resistant shingles or metal. These materials can handle impacts from heavy objects that may blow onto your roof during a hurricane. Metal roofing can generally handle higher hurricane winds better than typical singles.What type of roof would most likely be torn off in a hurricane?The worst-performing roofs during hurricanes are ones that have wood shingles or shakes. Wood isn't very moisture-resistant without additional coatings. Wood shingles and shakes are also lightweight, so sharp winds can easily lift them. Furthermore, wood isn't as strong as other materials, so it can become brittle when heavy objects land on it.What is the best roof for high-wind areas?Metal roofing is one of the best roofing systems for high-wind areas, as it's built to withstand wind speeds up to 130 to 150 mph. But the installation quality is just as important as the material—even the most robust materials may not stand well against high winds if they aren't correctly installed. Additionally, When installed with the required combination of GAF Accessories, Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology are eligible for an industry first: a wind warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation.To ensure your roof is in good shape to protect your home this hurricane season, reach out to a contractor certified by GAF* in your area to schedule a roof inspection.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.

Your home's eaves, soffits, and fascia are susceptible to rot. While each of these is slightly different, they all work together to protect your home against the natural elements and boost its curb appeal. However, their purpose can sometimes leave them exposed to too much water, causing them to rot. If you notice your roof edge trim, also known as the soffits and fascia, rotting, you'll want to take quick action to prevent further issues.Eaves, Soffits, and Fascia DifferencesWhile similar, the eaves, soffits, and fascia make up different parts of the roof. Eaves are the parts of the roof that extend beyond the walls of your home siding. They guide rainwater away from your home, protecting the siding and foundation from water damage and providing shade to the sides of the home. Roof eaves also play a big part in your home's aesthetic.The roof edge trim is made up of soffits and fascia. Soffits are boards that sit below the eaves and cover their insides; they connect the roof's exterior with the sides of the house. By covering the inside of the eaves and thus protecting the rafters, they help reduce the risk of water damage and keep pests from nesting there. Vents are typically installed on the soffits to help improve the airflow from the attic and roof.Fascia boards are located at your roof's edge along the eaves, connecting with the soffits underneath them. Similarly to soffits, they protect the roof edges against the elements by acting as a barrier. They also contribute to curb appeal. Gutters are commonly attached to the fascia boards, so this can help you differentiate each part when you're looking at the structure.Why These Roof Materials RotYour roof works by directing rainwater to fall off the eaves and flow through the gutters into downspouts. However, that's not always the case. Sometimes, water makes its way beneath the eaves into your soffits and fascia. This is particularly likely if you have clogged gutters or downspouts.When these features can't do their jobs correctly, excess water soaks the fascia and soffit, causing rot and discoloration. Homes usually have a roof drip edge installed on the eaves and rakes to prevent this from happening. If you already have a drip edge installed and your soffits, eaves, or fascia are still rotting, it might mean your drip edge is damaged and needs to be replaced.What to Do When Your Soffits or Fascia RotAs soon as you notice any rotting on your soffits or fascia, you'll want to replace them immediately. The rot can worsen over time as it encounters more moisture, potentially leading to mold and mildew growth. Untreated rot can also lead to structural damage if the water spreads to the rafters below the eaves. In the worst situations, excessive moisture can even reach the drywall and insulation inside your home.You'll likely need to decide whether to replace the roof trim or the entire roof. Your decision depends on whether the rot has only damaged the roof edge trim or has affected other roofing materials too, such as the shingles.If your roof has already reached its expected lifespan, it may be more cost-efficient to replace everything at one time. This will also allow you to create a cohesive and consistent roof aesthetic.Instead of trying to determine the extent of the damage on your own, leave it up to a professional who knows exactly what to look for. Call a GAF-certified roofing contractor* to inspect your roof. They can assess your roof's condition and determine what needs to be replaced.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.

If you're like many roofing contractors, you might avoid insurance restoration work due to the expense, hassle and complication of creating an estimate. That is, until now. The GAF ScopeConnectSM service simplifies the creation of an insurance scope of work so you can take on restoration work with more ease.Using Cutting-Edge Technology to Facilitate EstimatesGAF is committed to making tools available that help roofing contractors succeed. The GAF ScopeConnectSM Service addresses some of the challenges many contractors face with insurance restoration work.The service delivers a complete insurance scope of work prepared by Symbility trained and Xactimate certified estimators. Any contractor—GAF-certified or not may use the service and receive an estimate within 24 hours*. You don't need specialized training, dedicated personnel, or a subscription.Putting Insurance Restoration Work within ReachAs the country continues to see more severe weather events, contractors have the opportunity to expand into the insurance restoration market. The GAF ScopeConnectSM Service removes some of the barriers that typically have made it difficult to enter this space.To use the service, you simply provide a property's address and answer a few questions. Within a day, you'll receive the scope of work needed for the job in an insurance industry standard format (e.g., Xactimate or Symbility).The GAF ScopeConnectSM Service has enabled GAF Certified Contractor* Owen McKinney, who owns Rodger That Home Improvement LLC in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to do more insurance restoration work. He had previously walked away from these jobs due to the complexities involved with estimates.Leveling the Field for Roofing ProfessionalsSince preparing estimates in an industry-standard format yourself requires special software and training, McKinney was at a disadvantage. He didn't have the budget to pay for the license or the spare time to learn the program. As a result, he resorted to searching for specialists familar with the software on social media and paying them to develop the estimates. While this method worked, it was inefficient and not cost-effective for him.McKinney's GAF territory manager first showed him the new service over lunch. On the day it launched, McKinney happened to be working on an insurance restoration job, so he decided to try it. McKinney shared that on the first project that he used it on, the GAF ScopeConnectSM service accurately estimated the job.Removing Barriers through Ease of UseThe intuitive design and functionality provided by GAF ScopeConnectSM impressed McKinney right away. He notes that it feels difficult to make errors while using the service."Essentially, you just type in the property address, note that it's got X amount of pipe boots, X amount of vents, one or two layers of shingles, and it gives you a breakdown."McKinney says that, in his opinion, the accuracy has been spot-on. And thanks to the success he's had, he plans to use the GAF ScopeConnectSM service for future insurance restoration jobs. "And the fact that they can do it within 24 hours,** that's fantastic."Growing Your Business's Restoration WorkloadIf you've been thinking about expanding your operations and adding more jobs through insurance restoration work, now is the time. The GAF ScopeConnectSM service provides the detailed estimates you need to succeed so you can take on these jobs with confidence.Curious to learn more? Visit gaf.com/scopeconnect to see a sample scope of work.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit www.gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details.**Terms and restrictions apply. Visit gaf.com/scopeconnect for details.