What's the Best Roof for High Winds?
The best roof for high winds is a properly installed metal roof. Quality metal roofing systems are commonly rated to withstand winds of 140 mph or more — far beyond what most storms in our region produce. For homes and commercial buildings across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northwestern West Virginia, metal roofing and high-wind-rated shingles give you the strongest protection against the severe storms that hit the Pittsburgh tri-state area every spring and summer.
But the material is only half the story. A roof’s ability to survive high winds depends just as much on how it’s installed. Here’s how the top wind-resistant roofing materials stack up — and what actually keeps a roof on your building when the wind picks up.
Why high winds are a real threat here
Homeowners and property managers in our area know the weather doesn’t go easy on roofs. Spring and summer storms bring strong straight-line winds and downbursts. Sometimes we even get the leftovers of a tropical storm. Add in winter’s freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snow, and a roof here takes a beating year-round.
High winds damage a roof in a few ways:
Uplift: wind gets under the edges and peels shingles or panels away.
Flying debris: branches and loose material can crack or puncture the surface.
Repeated flexing: gusts loosen fasteners over time, even without a single big event.
The right roof resists all three. The wrong one starts shedding shingles at the first strong gust.
The best roof for high winds: materials compared
Not every roof handles wind the same way. Here’s how the most common wind-resistant roofing materials rank for our climate.
1. Metal roofing (best overall)
Metal roofing is the top choice for high winds. The best type is a standing seam metal roof, where the panels lock together with hidden fasteners. There are no exposed edges for wind to grab. That’s why many metal roof systems carry a wind rating of 140 mph or higher.
Metal also sheds snow, resists fire, and can last 40 to 70 years. For both homes and commercial buildings, it’s the most wind-resistant roofing material you can install.
2. High-wind-rated architectural shingles
If you prefer the look and lower upfront cost of shingles, high-wind-resistant roofing shingles are a strong second. Architectural (or “dimensional”) asphalt shingles are heavier and lock together better than old three-tab styles.
Many are rated to handle winds of 110 to 130 mph when installed with the correct nailing pattern and starter strips. We install Atlas shingles, a trusted manufacturer with quality wind- and impact-resistant lines. Done right, wind-resistant shingles protect most homes in our area very well.
3. Other options
Clay and concrete tile are heavy and durable, but they can crack from flying debris and aren’t a great fit for our snow loads. Standard three-tab shingles and aging roofs of any type are the most vulnerable — they’re usually the first to fail in a windstorm.
Why metal roofing handles wind so well
A metal roof’s strength comes from its design, not just the material. The panels run in long, continuous lengths with interlocking seams. That leaves fewer places for wind to get a grip. Hidden clips fasten the roof to the structure while allowing the metal to expand and contract.
That’s why a metal roof’s wind rating usually beats other materials. Compare wind-resistant roofing systems side by side, and metal almost always wins for our storm-prone climate.
Keep Reading
Choose a topic below to jump to another post.
Installation matters as much as the material
Here’s what most people don’t realize: even the best wind-resistant roofing materials fail if they’re installed poorly. Wind almost always finds the weak point — a short nail, a missing starter strip, an unsealed edge.
That’s why workmanship is everything. Our crews bring genuine Amish craftsmanship to every roof, with the careful, detail-focused installation that wind resistance depends on. Proper fastening, sealed edges, and correct flashing turn a good material into a roof that actually stays put.
A quality install is also what keeps your manufacturer’s wind warranty valid. Cut corners on installation, and that on-paper rating means nothing.
For homeowners and property managers
For homeowners, the best roof for high winds is about protecting your family and your home’s value — and not lying awake during every storm. Metal roofing delivers decades of peace of mind, and high-wind shingles are a budget-friendly path to solid protection.
For property managers and business owners, wind resistance is about avoiding downtime, tenant safety, and emergency repair bills. A wind-rated roof protects the building and the people inside it, and it costs far less than reacting to storm damage after the fact.
Either way, the goal is the same: a roof built to take what our weather throws at it.
FAQ'S
A properly installed metal roof is the best roof for high winds. Many metal systems are rated for 140 mph or higher, with high-wind architectural shingles a strong, lower-cost alternative rated around 110 to 130 mph.
Most quality metal roofs carry a wind rating of 140 mph or more when correctly installed. Standing seam systems with hidden fasteners tend to have the highest ratings.
Yes. Metal roofs have interlocking, hidden-fastener seams with no exposed edges for wind to lift, so they generally outperform even high-wind shingles. Quality wind-resistant shingles still protect most homes well.
Absolutely. Even top-rated materials fail if nailing patterns, starter strips, or edges are done wrong. Correct installation is what keeps the roof attached — and keeps your wind warranty valid.
Yes. Western PA, eastern OH, and northwestern WV see strong spring and summer storms every year. A wind-rated roof helps you avoid repeated repairs and storm-damage costs.
DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?
Call us now or schedule a service
Available for inspections, emergency repairs & more.