You don’t have to live along a hurricane-prone coastline to appreciate the value of Class F-rated wind resistant asphalt roof shingles. The best can withstand blows up to 130 mph from straight line winds or tornadoes. That’s more than twice what the average three-tab shingle will survive. The superior strength is achieved by improved sealant strips, nailing surfaces and stiffness.
In the old days, installers increased the number of nails from the standard four nails to six per shingle to improve holding power in high wind. This provided 50 percent more attachment points, but it also created as many additional perforations of the roofing underlayment and wood deck that could cause leaks. And if the nails weren’t installed flat and without tearing the shingle surface, it could actually weaken the hold.
The adhesive strip that seals the bottom of each shingle to the one below is just as important because it prevents the shingles from lifting or peeling back in high wind. Shingle manufacturers have improved the adhesive formula and they apply more sealant on their better shingles to ensure the most reliable bond.
Premium asphalt-singled roofs also benefit from improved underlayment that provides a more reliable second line of defense. Deck Defense® High Performance Underlayment from Owens Corning uses a durable synthetic layer and water resistant surface that resists tears better than ordinary roofing felt and can be left exposed for up to six months. It comes in 4-ft.-wide rolls rather than the standard 3-ft-wide roofing felt rolls for fewer joints.
Owens Corning Platinum Preferred roofers, such as Hoffman Weber Construction, follow the most stringent and comprehensive installation standards and are able to offer the best and longest warranties in the industry. To learn more about shingles that are wind resistant, impact resistant or that keep attics cooler, request a free Zero Pressure Consultation.