Metal Roofing Provides Optimal Protection in Tornado Alley

By Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). 

Homeowners find a dependable roof to provide shelter for years to come, even in thunderstorms and tornadoes.   

The project 

This 1970’s home was in serious need of a roof replacement, the wood shingled roof was haggard and shoddy, totally unable to stand up to the fierce weather Nebraska can receive. The homeowners looked for materials that would assure they never had to replace the roof again, and ultimately invested in a quality new metal roof. The new roof gave the owner’s peace of mind that it would be durable enough to last for decades and could provide safety in ferocious weather conditions. Plus, the new roof complemented the home.  

The challenge 

Nebraska homeowners are no strangers to intense weather conditions. The cornhusker state ranks in the top five in the U.S. for the frequency of tornadoes, with 57 per year on average. With summer humidity and thunderstorms, as well as freezing winter weather conditions, it is no place for roofs made out of less than durable materials. Metal roofs are the perfect choice to stand up to those kinds of challenges, given they are strong enough to withstand winds in excess of 140-mph (equal to a F2 tornado). They also protect against leaks and damage caused by severe rain and hailstorms. And unlike wood shingles, metal roofing can offer additional energy efficiency benefits–essential when considering Nebraska’s intense summer sun. Metal roofs with special coatings deliver high total solar reflectance and high infrared emittance, keeping homes cool and saving energy by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed. 

Spotlight on MRA member Reinke Shake 

The metal shingles used for this project were Reinke Shake LT 20 gage aluminum ribbed shingles that helped add a fresh, modern and cohesive look to the home. Available in a wide variety of colors and baked-on, durable finishes, they are tested and rated for maximum hail, leakage and hurricane resistance (including Miami/Dade Florida, which has some of the most stringent building codes in the country) and have a life expectancy of more than 50 years when properly installed. They also can be installed nearly as fast as asphalt shingles and are extremely low-maintenance, saving homeowners on upkeep and maintenance costs over time. 

Thoughts from the experts  

“This project shows the difference quality metal roofing can truly make, not only when it comes to beautifully updating a home, but providing long-lasting, hard-working protection for decades to come,” said Renee Ramey, Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) executive director. “These homeowners can rest assured that this will be the last roof they will ever have to put on their home.” 

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About Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) 

Representing metal roofing manufacturers in the United States and Canada, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) was formed in 1998 to help educate consumers about the many benefits of metal roofs. The main objective of MRA is to increase awareness of the beauty, durability and money-saving advantages of quality metal roofs among homeowners, as well as to provide support for metal roofing businesses and contractors. For more information, visit MRA.