Selecting Roofs to Weather Scary Storms

by Kathy Ziprik, Staff Writer

It's scary out there. Powerful spring and summer storms have brought hail, flooding, high winds and tornadoes to many states... with the threat of more severe weather to come.

If you're thinking of building a home—or renovating a cherished older home—giving special attention to the roof is critical if you live in a high storm-prone area. The roof overhead protects your loved ones and your valuables... and needs to be able to weather a variety of storm conditions over the years.

Just think about the storm-weary residents of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Every year they seem to be pounded by bad weather. The same thing happens in Alabama, Florida and the Carolinas.

Julie McSweeney is one homeowner who experienced first-hand how flying debris from high winds and hail could damage her home. In 2013 weather conditions impacted her roof so badly that she needed a new one. That's what got her thinking about selecting the RIGHT roof for her Omaha home.

"After terrible hail storms devastated hundreds of homes in our area we began seeing many impact-resistant DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofs installed," says McSweeney. "We wanted a worry-free, beautiful, best-in-class roof that could withstand future storms and we got it with our new Bellaforté Slate roof."

All DaVinci composite tiles resist curling, cracking, fading, mold, algae, fungus and insects, making them ideal for installation in a wide variety of geographic areas. They also resist impact from flying debris and hail associated with storms. Just as with other DaVinci products, the Bellaforté tiles are 100 percent recyclable and come with a lifetime limited warranty.

There's a "double bonus" to selecting impact-resistant roofing from DaVinci. Along with withstanding severe weather and fire spread, the roof is also likely to save you money each year. A variety of insurance companies (like State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual) offer homeowner discounts to property owners who invest in this sturdy roofing.

"We save about $2,000 a year on our homeowners insurance premiums with AAA since having our DaVinci roof installed," says homeowner Kevin Riley of Norman, Okla. "We were in the market for a new roof after a hail storm. Being in Oklahoma I wanted to put something on our roof that would stand up to future storms. The DaVinci roofing product has provided us with the durability to handle our unpredictable weather plus enhanced the architectural look of our home."

You don't have to live in the heartland to save on insurance premiums with a new polymer roof. Andrew Marenin, a Colorado resident, found that by replacing his real cedar shingle roof with a Bellaforté Shake roof he was able to find substantial savings.

"After my roof had hail damage and we replaced it, my independent adjuster told me we'd save 25 to 30 percent on our annual homeowners insurance because the DaVinci polymer roof we purchased resists severe weather, hail and fire," says Marenin.

When thinking about the roof you're putting on your home, think about Mother Nature. Unpredictable and unrelenting, she can play havoc with the exterior of your home. Make sure to research synthetic slate and shake roofing options to protect your home and valuables, and to potentially save substantial dollars each year on your homeowners insurance.