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Roofing · Exposed sites

Sustained wind rather than gusts

An exposed site puts constant wind load on the roof edge and ridge. Failures start at the rake and eave, not in the field, so edge metal and the starter course matter more than on a sheltered lot.

Quick answerAn exposed site, such as open plains, a ridge line, coastal frontage or simply a house that stands clear of everything around it, puts constant wind load on the roof edge and ridge rather than the occasional gust. Failures there start at the rake and eave rather than in the field, so edge metal and the starter course matter more than they do on a sheltered lot. Raise it when you take quotes.

A contractor pricing a sheltered suburban roof and one pricing an exposed site shouldn’t be specifying the same edge detail. The difference is cheap at installation and expensive to retrofit.

1Why edges fail first

  • Wind gets under the edge. At the eave and rake, wind can push up under the first course of shingles. Once one lifts, the next follows.
  • Constant load wears the seal. Steady wind works at the shingle seal strips day after day, not just in one storm.
  • Ridges catch it too. The ridge is the most exposed line on the roof.
  • Nailing matters more. Fastening shortcuts that a sheltered roof gets away with show up fast on an exposed one. See improper nailing from the original install.

2How to check your roof

  1. Look along the edgesUse binoculars along the eaves and rakes. Lifted, curled or missing edge shingles are the first sign.
  2. Check the edge metalLook for drip edge or rake metal that’s loose, bent or missing.
  3. Check the ridgeLook for missing or lifted ridge caps.
  4. Walk the yard after windShingle pieces or tabs on the ground tell you where it’s failing.
  5. Note your exposureWhich side faces the prevailing wind? That’s where to look hardest.

3What to ask for

Do it yourself

  • Inspect from the ground after windy spells
  • Collect and photograph any pieces that come down
  • Raise exposure when you request quotes

Hire a pro

  • Starter strip at eaves and rakes, sealed down
  • Secure edge metal at eaves and rakes
  • The manufacturer’s high-wind nailing pattern
  • A shingle and ridge cap rated for wind; check local code
Get it in the quote

Ask each contractor to write down the edge detail, starter course and nailing pattern they’ll use. If two quotes differ, that’s often why.

4What drives the cost

At installation, the extra cost of a better edge detail is modest: more starter, more fasteners, better metal. Retrofitting later means lifting edge courses or replacing them. Price also moves with roof size, the number of rakes and eaves, height and the shingle chosen.

Roofing cost

House sits out in the open?

Talk to a local roofer who will specify the edge, starter and nailing for an exposed site.

877-360-4657

5Questions

Is a gust or sustained wind worse?

Both can damage a roof. Sustained wind wears at the edges over time, so the edge detail matters more on exposed sites.

Can loose edge shingles be resealed?

Often, if they’re not damaged. A roofer can reseal or replace them.

Is wind damage covered by insurance?

Damage from a specific storm often is. Gradual wear usually isn’t. See straight-line wind damage mistaken for hail.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.

877-360-4657