In Montana, it’s not uncommon to experience a hailstorm in the summer and heavy snowfall in the winter. With harsh weather often comes damage to personal property, so customers often ask us: how do metal roofs hold up to hail or extreme winter weather? There seems to be a rumor that metal roofing is easily damaged by hail and, therefore, must be a bad choice. This is entirely untrue. In fact, metal roofs can largely withstand hailstorms and severe winter weather with no damage. To put your mind at ease, we lined up the facts about hail and metal roofs and what you can expect with a metal roof in extreme weather conditions.
How Do Metal Roofs Hold Up to Hail?
“Will hail damage a metal roof” is one of the most frequently asked questions in our industry. Many customers inaccurately believe that hail and metal roofs don’t mix, so choosing a metal roof for their home isn’t a good option. This is largely untrue.
Metal roofing is made out of material types like steel, copper, aluminum, etc. These metals are, by nature, malleable, so their shape can change under stress. If a hailstorm is severe enough and has hailstones of a considerable size, they could dent or puncture a metal roof. However, most hailstorms don’t produce hailstones big enough to affect a metal roof. If your home is in a region that experiences frequent, violent hailstorms with four- to six-inch hailstones, you may want to choose another roofing material. If your home is in a region like Montana that experiences small, infrequent hailstorms, you are in a good position to install a metal roof for your home.
Other factors that impact how hail will affect your metal roof include the following:
Metal Thickness
The thickness of metal can determine how much hail will or will not dent or damage a metal roof. For example, a 28ga steel roof is thinner than a 24ga steel roof, so it is more likely to experience metal roof hail damage than its thicker counterpart.
Roof Slope
The lower sloped your roof is, the more likely it is to be hit by hailstones than a steeper slope. Steep sloped roofs are more likely to deflect hail and experience less damage.
Metal Panel Structure
It’s generally a good practice to install metal panels that have a structure within the flat section of the panel known as striations. Structuring on metal panels can help not only deflect hail but disguise any denting caused by hail.
Paint Finish
A well-selected paint finish can help conceal any potential dents caused by a hailstorm. Matte paint finishes typically conceal dings better than glossy finishes, which reflect more light and can highlight dents.
How Do Metal Roofs Hold Up to Winter Weather?
In Montana, many homeowners are concerned in the winter about whether heavy snowfall or wind will hurt their homes, especially their roofs. Overall, metal roofs stand up to extreme winter weather really well. Metal is very durable and can better withstand winter elements than shingle roofs.. Even when the winter winds start blowing strongly, metal roofs can withstand wind gusts up to 140 mph. As a reference, Hurricane Michael’s most intense winds were 155 mph, so metal roofs are very sturdy against the wind.
Want to Chat with a Metal Roofing Expert?
If you’re wondering “how do metal roofs hold up to hail” and “is a metal roof a good fit for my roofing project”, we’re here to help. A metal roof is an investment for your home or business, and we want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your roofing choices. If you are interested in a metal roof for your next roofing project, reach out to our team at Great Northern Metal Company today. Our experienced, professional roofing experts can answer any questions or concerns you have about metal roofing. To speak to a roofing specialist today, call (406) 624-0435.
