Roofs on most Gulf Coast homes are susceptible to hurricane damage

Among more than 17.3 million homes in the southeast U.S. analyzed by Arturo, 71.9% have an asphalt shingle rooftop, the insurtech reported.  Homes in the study were located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.

While new asphalt shingle roofs can withstand winds up to 110 mph, or a Category 3 intensity, as they age and degrade their ability to hold up against winds deteriorates. Arturo reported that older asphalt shingles can be susceptible to damage in winds as weak as 50 mph.

This research comes closely on the heels of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projecting an above-average hurricane season for 2022.

Next to asphalt shingles, concrete tile is the second most common roofing material used in the states studied, while fewer than 1% features a wooden roof. Slightly more than 6.1% have metal roofs, which Arturo reported are the most wind resistant as they can withstand winds up to 160 mph (Category 5).

It’s safer to be ‘hip’

Around half of the homes studied also feature gable roofs, while 42.3% have more wind-resistant hipped roofs. All sides of a hip roof slope downward, giving them a pyramid shape with no vertical ends.

Although they perform better in winds, hip roofs are more expensive to build because they are more complex and require more materials. As a result, they are less common. Arturo reported 52% of homes in Texas have hip roofs, while 47% of Louisiana homes and 44% of Florida houses feature the roof type. In comparison, around 73% of South Carolina homes have gable roofs, which are built on 67% of homes nationwide.

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