Metal Roofs and Hurricanes: How They Handle High Wind
Quick answer
Very well. Interlock's interlocking aluminum roofing is warranted to 120 mph wind and independently tested for high-wind uplift — Florida Product Approval FL7263 lists engineer-sealed design pressures up to −187.5 psf, and ICC-ES ESR-1790 rates allowable uplift up to 177.5 psf. The four-sided interlock resists the lifting that tears shingles off.
Why metal resists high wind
Wind damages a roof by getting under its edges and lifting, which is why asphalt loses individual tabs and why poorly fastened panels peel back. Interlock's system is engineered against exactly that: each shingle or panel locks to its neighbors on all four sides and fastens to the deck with concealed clips and fasteners, so there are no loose tabs for wind to catch. The result is a continuous, mechanically locked surface that behaves as one piece under load.
The tested wind ratings
The performance is documented, not claimed. Interlock's roofing carries Florida Product Approval FL7263 — the toughest roofing code in the country — with engineer-sealed Maximum Design Pressures up to −187.5 psf, and ICC-ES ESR-1790 lists allowable wind-uplift loads up to 177.5 psf by system. The Guardian warranty separately warrants the product against 120 mph wind when installed to Interlock's procedures. A designer matches the required system to your local design wind pressure.
What about hurricane zones?
Interlock is approved for use across Florida outside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which require their own approval track). For the vast majority of hurricane-exposed homes — the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, the Carolinas, Texas — the FL7263 and ESR-1790 ratings are the documentation your building department wants. And because aluminum cannot rust, it holds up in the salt-laden coastal air where steel roofs corrode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can metal roofs withstand hurricanes?
Yes. Interlock aluminum roofing is warranted to 120 mph and tested to high-wind standards — Florida FL7263 design pressures to −187.5 psf and ICC-ES ESR-1790 uplift to 177.5 psf. Its four-sided interlock resists the uplift that removes shingles.
What wind speed can a metal roof handle?
Interlock's Guardian warranty covers 120 mph, and its systems are engineer-tested well beyond typical design pressures. The exact rating for your roof depends on the fastening system selected for your local design wind load.
Do metal roofs blow off in high wind?
A properly installed interlocking metal roof is far more wind-resistant than shingles because it has no loose tabs — every panel locks on four sides and fastens to the deck. That is why it carries engineer-sealed uplift ratings and a 120 mph warranty.
Are metal roofs approved for Florida?
Yes — Interlock carries Florida Product Approval FL7263 for use statewide outside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward). HVHZ homeowners should confirm current options with Interlock and their building official.
Sources
- Florida Product Approval FL7263-R7 — Wind design pressures
- ICC-ES ESR-1790 — Allowable wind uplift
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Last reviewed 2026-07-11 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing