Best Roofing Materials for Hurricane Zones: Ranked by Wind Speed

Your roof is the first thing a hurricane attacks. The material you choose determines whether your home rides out the storm or becomes the next insurance claim. Not all roofing materials are created equal when it comes to wind resistance — the gap between the best and worst is the difference between 180 mph and 60 mph.

This guide ranks every common roofing material by wind speed rating, explains what actually happens to each one during a hurricane, covers South Carolina Wind Zone III requirements, and breaks down the insurance impact of your choice. If you are in Myrtle Beach or anywhere on the South Carolina coast, this information directly affects your safety and your wallet.

Roofing Materials Ranked by Wind Resistance

Here is every common roofing material ranked from strongest to weakest wind resistance, based on manufacturer ratings and testing standards (UL 2218, ASTM D3161, ASTM D7158, and Florida Building Code TAS 100/110/125):

Key takeaway: If you live in a hurricane zone, standing seam metal is the strongest option by a wide margin. It is the only commonly available residential material rated to survive a Category 5 hurricane. Tile roofing is a close second for wind resistance but vulnerable to impact damage from airborne debris.

What Happens to Each Material in a Hurricane

Metal Standing Seam (180 mph)

Standing seam panels interlock along raised seams with concealed fasteners. During a hurricane, the panels flex slightly with wind pressure rather than resisting rigidly, which prevents cracking or tearing. Because there are no exposed screws or nail heads, there are no weak points for wind to exploit. Flying debris can dent metal panels but rarely penetrates them. After a hurricane, standing seam roofs typically need only cosmetic repair (dent removal or panel replacement) rather than structural work.

Concrete and Clay Tile (150+ mph)

Tile roofs resist wind through sheer weight — individual tiles weigh 9 to 12 pounds each. When properly installed with hurricane clips and mortar or adhesive, the tiles stay locked in place through extreme winds. The vulnerability is impact damage: airborne debris hitting a tile roof can crack or shatter individual tiles, creating entry points for water. After a hurricane, tile roofs often need individual tile replacement but the overall system stays intact.

Architectural Shingles (110 to 130 mph)

Architectural shingles resist wind through adhesive strips that bond each shingle to the one below it. In a hurricane, wind gets under the leading edge of shingles and progressively peels them back. Class H shingles (130 mph) use enhanced adhesive and nailing patterns to resist this peeling action. The failure mode is progressive: once one shingle lifts, the exposed area creates a leverage point that accelerates loss of adjacent shingles. Proper installation with six nails per shingle (not four) and correctly applied starter strips is critical.

Three-Tab Shingles (60 to 70 mph)

Three-tab shingles are the worst performers in hurricanes. Their single-layer construction and lighter weight make them extremely vulnerable to wind uplift. At 60 to 70 mph (tropical storm force, not even hurricane force), three-tab shingles begin to lift, tear, and fly off the roof. In a direct hurricane hit, a three-tab roof will lose significant shingle coverage, exposing the underlayment and deck to rain and debris. This is why three-tab shingles should not be installed on any coastal South Carolina home.

South Carolina Wind Zone III Requirements

Myrtle Beach and the South Carolina coast fall in Wind Zone III under the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). Here is what that means for your roof:

In practice, this means three-tab shingles (60 to 70 mph) do not meet code for new construction in coastal Horry County. Standard architectural shingles (80 to 110 mph) fall short as well. You need Class H architectural shingles (130+ mph), metal roofing, or tile roofing to comply with Wind Zone III requirements.

FORTIFIED Roof Certification: Why It Matters

FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It goes beyond minimum building code to strengthen the entire roof system. A FORTIFIED roof is not about the material alone — it is about how every component works together.

FORTIFIED Roof designation requires:

• Sealed roof deck (all seams taped or covered with self-adhering membrane)
• Enhanced roof deck attachment (ring-shank nails at closer spacing)
• Upgraded drip edge secured to resist 130+ mph wind uplift
• Proper nailing patterns for all roof coverings (six-nail pattern for shingles)
• Attic ventilation that cannot allow wind-driven rain entry

The key benefit: FORTIFIED certification qualifies for insurance discounts of 15 to 45 percent in South Carolina, depending on your insurer. On a $3,000 annual premium, that is $450 to $1,350 saved per year. Over 30 years, those savings total $13,500 to $40,500 — more than enough to cover the cost difference between standard installation and FORTIFIED certification.

FORTIFIED certification is available for any roofing material, not just metal. You can get a FORTIFIED certification with architectural shingles, tile, or metal. The certification stays with the home for five years before requiring re-inspection.

Insurance Impact of Each Material Choice

Call your insurance agent before choosing a roofing material. In South Carolina, the annual savings from upgrading materials can be substantial enough to factor into your roofing budget decision. For a complete comparison of all materials, see our roofing materials comparison guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

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