How EDCO Steel Roofing Stands Up to Hail, Fire, and Wind

In many parts of the country, severe weather is a regular threat—not just a rare exception. Hailstorms, high winds, and even wildfires are causing more damage than ever, and homeowners are rethinking what kind of roofing materials make sense for the long haul.

If you’re considering replacing your roof—or building new—understanding how different materials perform in extreme conditions is key to making a smart, future-proof decision.

Hail Resistance: Not All Roofing Holds Up the Same

Hail damage is often hard to spot until it leads to leaks or deterioration. While traditional asphalt shingles might look intact from the ground, hail can cause granule loss, soft spots, or cracks that shorten their lifespan significantly.

What to Look for in a Hail-Resistant Roof:

Impact rating: Class 4 is the highest rating available, meaning the material can withstand hail strikes up to 2 inches without cracking or failing.
Material strength: Some materials, like steel, resist cracking and surface damage better than asphalt or wood.
Long-term durability: Frequent hailstorms can wear down softer materials much faster over time.

And the risk is growing—the U.S. has seen a 255% increase in declared natural disasters over the past five years, making durable, impact-resistant roofing more important than ever.

Fire Resistance: An Overlooked but Critical Factor

In wildfire-prone areas, your roof is one of the most vulnerable points of ignition. Flying embers, intense heat, or direct flame exposure can quickly lead to disaster if your roofing material isn’t up to the challenge.

What Makes a Roof Fire-Resistant?

Material composition: Non-combustible materials (like steel, clay tile, or slate) perform far better than wood or asphalt.
Class A rating: This is the highest fire-resistance rating a roof system can get. While materials like asphalt or wood need special underlayments to reach it, steel is naturally non-combustible—so you’re getting built-in protection right at the surface, without relying on extra layers underneath.
Ember resistance: In many cases, it’s not the fire itself but wind-blown embers that spark roof ignitions.

In fact, flying embers—not flames—are responsible for up to 90% of home ignitions in wildfires.

Wind Performance: Staying Put in Severe Storms

High winds are one of the most common causes of roof failure—especially when gusts catch under the edges of loose or damaged materials. Once one section lifts, it can lead to a domino effect across the roof.

Features of a Wind-Resistant Roof:

4-way Interlocking panel systems that resist uplift pressures created by 200+ mph winds
Impact-Resistant Materials: Wind often drives debris into roofs—materials like steel resist dents, cracks, and punctures better than asphalt or wood.

Steel roofing, for example, can be secured with clips that dramatically increase wind resistance: 200+ mph wind resistant out of the box.

Materials like steel panels tend to perform better than asphalt or wooden shingles in high-wind areas, especially when installed as part of a full system.

So, What’s the Best All-Around Solution?

If you live in a region that experiences hail, fire risk, or strong storms—or all three—it’s worth investing in a roof that’s designed to handle it all. That’s where steel roofing comes in.

Why Steel Roofing Is a Smarter Long-Term Choice
Steel roofing checks all the boxes:

Class 4 impact resistance for hail protection
- EDCO's Arrowline roofing is VSH zone certified—meaning it withstood a 2" steel ball dropped from 20 feet with no damage.
Class A fire rating for wildfire defense
- EDCO steel roofing is UL 790 Class A fire rated and approved for wildfire zones, including California’s WUI areas—meaning it resists flame spread, surface ignition, and fire penetration at the most vulnerable points.
Wind resistance over 200 mph
- Depending on clip configuration, EDCO steel roofing resists uplift pressures equivalent to Category 5 hurricane conditions, all tested on standard plywood or OSB for real-world accuracy.
Durable, non-combustible, and fully recyclable
50+ year lifespan with minimal maintenance

What Makes EDCO Different?

EDCO's steel roofing systems are designed specifically for homes to provide a jaw dropping aesthetic with unmatched lifetime performance. They combine beautiful profiles and colors with proven weather resistance. And with fade-resistant finishes backed by a limited lifetime warranty, you get peace of mind—for life!

Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you have a question about EDCO products or want to connect with a qualified contractor, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to get started.