If you live in one of the many newer subdivisions in and around southern York County, you've probably encountered roving bands of "storm chasers" by now. Every time the area is hit by a thunderstorm or wind event, these canvassers go on the hunt for roofs that have suffered
'storm damage' and can be replaced on the insurance companies' dime. Often, minor or unrelated damage is reported to the homeowner's carrier as justification. This had led to a vicious cycle in many developments of shingle roofs being replaced every decade at an extraordinary cost to insurance carriers. These are roofs that are advertised to last 50 years! We've seen instances in 2024 of roofs being replaced 1 year after a new install because of supposed minor hail damage to shingles. It's sickening to think of all that waste as asphalt, which in shingle form can't be recycled, clogs up limited landfill space.
Insurance companies are beginning to catch on to this racket. Most homeowners are seeing rates and deductibles increase to unprecedented levels. Additionally, many carriers are requiring homeowners to switch from Actual Cash Value (ACV) to Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies. This means that if you have legitimate storm damage to your roof, your insurance will not pay the total cost of replacement. Instead, the original cost of the roof will be figured and then depreciation subtracted based on the age of your roofing. This results in significantly less money being paid out. In short, the quick and easy profit storm chasing outfits fleece from insurance is beginning to effect everybody's pocketbook.
There is a solution to this madness and it centers on roofing material. Asphalt shingles are not a durable product. They are easily damaged by even the smallest of hailstones. Moss and lichen also damage shingles in much the same way and are often submitted as storm damage to the insurance company. Further, shingles rely on a thin bead of tar to seal. This is not a strong bond and becomes brittle over time, making shingles easily susceptible to blow offs during high wind events.
Metal, on the other hand, is almost impervious to the elements. We like to say that it is stormproof! Metal roofing is fastened securely into solid wood using hefty 40 year screws and does not rely on any sealants - meaning wind related damage is not a factor. Our tough 26 and 28 gauge panels come with a 40 year Sherwin Williams coating that is completely hail resistant. It is also difficult for moss to take foot on metal, and it will not damage the panel if it does. Plus, metal is quick and easy to clean with a pressure washer while doing the same on a shingle roof would cause catastrophic damage. For these reasons and more, homeowners and insurance carriers alike should be transitioning roof replacements from shingles to metal. This could save insurance companies billions of dollars a year while helping to lower rates for the average homeowner. Not to mention the peace of mind the comes with having a lifetime roofing system keeping their home protected. In other parts of the country, this process is already underway and we look for it to spread our area soon. In Florida, where storm damage is probably most common, there has even been talk in the Assembly of banning asphalt shingles outright!
So the next time you notice damage to your shingles, get out of the never ending cycle of asphalt replacements and give us a call for a new metal roof!
Comentarios