Best Roofing Materials for Severe Weather

If you live in an area that is prone to severe weather such as driving precipitation, snow, or hail you’ll need to make sure you get a roofing material that can endure the storm. With so many choices it’s difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve written out this helpful guide to some of the best roofing material choices for areas prone to bad weather.

Best Roofing Materials for Severe Weather

Impact-Resistant Materials

Impact-resistant materials are popular because they have the classic look of an asphalt shingle but with the endurance ability of much stronger materials. The shingles have an added fiberglass insert that makes them thicker, stronger and better able to resist impact from hail and winds. Because this material is so popular there are many style and color options including wood shake and slate imitations.


Slate, to put it simply, are nothing more than stone slabs. This weight and rock hard structure makes it excellent against protecting from severe weather. The weight of the slate means that it can endure the strongest of winds. There are softer and harder slates so their endurance against hail can vary. Most seem to endure hail fairly well and slate’s slick surface doesn’t tend to hold onto snow and ice like other materials. Slate damaged by hail can be tricky to fix. Slate is also non-combustible so it can stand up against wildfires.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Clay and concrete tiles have many of the same qualities as slate shingles. Their weight lets them endure tough winds and their rigidity is known to stand up against tough impacts. Like slate, clay or concrete tiles can also be pretty tricky to repair, you will need a professional. Like slate, clay and concrete tiles are also very good against any potential wildfires.

Wood Shakes

Wood shakes are also rigid but have more give than slate or concrete tiles which makes them a very good choice against hail. Wood shakes can also take a lot of wind, though not as much as slate or concrete. The downside of wood shakes is that many hail prone areas are often prone to wildfires and wood shakes don’t do too well against fire.

This is just a quick guide to storm resistant materials. The best way to find the right material for your roof is to talk with your local roofing contractor. You two can work together to make sure your roof will weather the next storm.

Energy Efficient Roofing

As the cost of energy continues to rise more homeowners are looking for ways to save money by reducing energy costs. Homeowners are realizing that the choice of roofing materials has a large impact on their monthly energy bill. So what are some of the better options for energy-efficient roofing? Roofcorp will explore some of these options to help you decide what will work for your home.

Energy Efficient Roofing

Energy-Star Rated Materials

Energy Star is a program created by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US to highlight and promote materials that are superior at conserving energy. In the case of roofing materials most Energy Star certifications have to do with the slope and amount of solar and heat reflectivity of a roof. The more reflective a material is, the more likely it is to be Energy Star certified. When talking with your roofing contractor simply look for the Energy Star logo or ask them to use certified materials. Several of the larger roofing material manufacturers produce these materials. GAF, Tamko and CertainTeed all carry energy efficient products. Energy-efficient products are now on the same price level as traditional materials.

Reflective Material & Color

A big impact on the roofs energy efficiency lies in its ability to reflect heat or absorb heat based on the climate. When roofs reflect heat there is less energy your home has to cool back down. They can use reflective materials that are embedded in the shingle itself or it can be simple as the color itself. In warmer environments this means choosing a lighter colored material and darker colors in colder environments to absorb the heat.

Solar Panels

Solar panels and solar shingles are starting to become more popular in the Western states and other areas with high amounts of sunshine. The materials are starting to become cheaper and the government is encouraging their use by giving homeowners with solar energy materials substantial tax credits. The initial installation of these materials is quite high but can save money over the life of the roof.

Simply talk to a roofing contractor to figure out the best energy efficient options for your home and start saving money today!