Upcoming Hurricane Season Cause for Concern to Homeowners with Non-Metal Roofs, Says Alliance Group

Treasure Coast CEO says above-normal storm activity may substantially damage older roofs built with weaker materials.

With forecasters predicting as many as 10 hurricanes and 20 storms this hurricane season, the owner of a Port St. Lucie, Florida-based roofing company is warning that some homeowners aren't as prepared as they believe they are because of the materials and age of their roofs.

Adam Ryckman, founder and CEO of Alliance Group LLC, a roofing and general contracting company, said, "Roofs are usually the last thing on people's mind when they think of how to prepare for hurricane season, but we are all quick to recognize how important they are when we think about just how destroyed our homes would be if the roof were torn off or significantly damaged."

Buildings most at-risk are those with roofs that haven't been replaced within the last 15 years or those that aren't made of metal. "Metal is easily the best material for Florida roofs," Ryckman added. "I truly believe every home along the Florida coast should be adorned with beautiful metal sheets."

Metal roofs are more durable than any other type of roof, they are energy efficient and require minimal maintenance, Ryckman said. "It can be just as affordable as a shingle roof if property owners use companies such as ours that produce our own metal sheeting in house."

Researchers are predicting a range of three to 10 hurricanes and as many as 20 storms, according to the Tampa Bay Times, which far outnumber the amount that hit the Sunshine State in 2020.

"You can never be too safe when it comes to preparing your building so it doesn't become a prime candidate for the front page of the news," said Dylan Saibic, the operations manager at Alliance Group.

Homeowners of most concern to Ryckman are those who have relocated from other states that bought homes in Florida after the pandemic. "I'm hearing that we have a lot of first-time homebuyers in the area. I am worried that they may have purchased a home with poorer quality roofs that could be significantly damaged at the first impact of a storm," he said. "It's understandable given how in demand the local housing market currently is, but equipping their roofs with metal sheeting should definitely be a top priority."

Commercial buildings could also fall victim to the storm season, said Ryckman. "While we've had lots of new commercial development in this area, some of the smaller and older businesses and shopping centers I see while driving around haven't had any repairs or restoration in the last two decades. Commercial property owners will want to act sooner rather than later."

Owners should contact their home or property insurance in order to help absorb the cost, said Ryckman. "Usually, paying for roof repair and/or restoration is something homeowners' insurance will help cover. Whether or not that's an option for you, look for companies like Alliance that offer financing options if that is a concern for the homeowner."