Houston roofing is subject to harsh weather in the form of tornadoes or hurricanes throughout the year. Fierce storms bring high winds, rain and hail, all of which take their toll on home and business roofs. Whether a homeowner is building a new roof or replacing an old one, three factors can help extend its useful life. These are its shape, the materials used in its manufacture and post construction maintenance that can give it extra resistance against the wind.
There are myriad roofing shapes from which to choose, all of which are a variation of either hipped or gabled roofs. On a hipped roof, each side slopes down to the tops of the walls, and there are no vertical sides. Gabled roofs have two sloping sides and two straight sides that form a triangle.
Hipped roofs offer resilience against high winds. Compared to other designs, they have a shallower slope, a lower profile, fewer sharp corners and an inherently more stable structure. The drawbacks to installation of hip roofs include a poorer capacity for proper ventilation, maintenance difficulties due to their sloping sides and a reduced accommodation for attic space.
Roofers from Houston Restoration Services of Houston TX would be happy to answer any question you have about commercial roofing or remodeling.
Gabled roofs have two sloping sides and two straight sides that form a triangle. Variations include the crow stepped gable and the pediment form. The gabled end has the potential to peel off in a forceful wind, which creates lift on the leeward side of the roof. Because this lift is more likely to occur with a flat or gently sloping roof, a steep roof is more robust under these circumstances.
As far as materials are concerned, there is no perfect choice for roof covering, and a variety of different materials offer distinct advantages. In terms of their adherence to the roofing structure, metal panels are optimal, followed by natural slate and concrete tiles. Properly maintained, a roof made of metal or slate can last for 50 to 100 years. Asphalt shingles typically will not stand up in a Category 2 hurricane, but they are the cheapest to replace.
Keeping the roof attached to the house during a tornado or a hurricane is essential to preventing the walls from collapsing. Fortunately, there are strategies available to prepare an existing roof for the onslaught of harsh weather conditions. Galvanized steel hurricane clips come in uplift protections from 300 to 1500 pounds. These gadgets connect the top plate to rafters or trusses to strengthen the connection between the two.
