Storm Damage
How Much Wind Can Shingles Take? Wind Ratings Explained
Popular architectural shingles, such as GAF Timberline HDZ and Owens Corning Duration, carry two wind labels: ASTM D3161 Class F, which means they passed a fan test at 110 mph, and ASTM D7158 Class H, the top class of a second test. Manufacturer wind warranties start around 110 mph and go higher with special installation. In real storms, though, shingles often blow off at lower speeds because they never sealed, the edges were weak, or the roof is old.
Here is what the numbers on the bundle mean, what they do not mean, and what actually keeps shingles on a Cincinnati roof.
What do shingle wind ratings mean?
Shingles are tested two ways. Each test has its own classes. The figures below come from a 2021 Professional Roofing article by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).
| Test | What it does | Classes and wind speeds |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D3161 | Blows air across shingles with a fan | Class A: 60 mph. Class D: 90 mph. Class F: 110 mph |
| ASTM D7158 | Measures the force needed to lift sealed shingles | Class D: 115 mph. Class G: 150 mph. Class H: 190 mph |
The two tests use different kinds of wind speed, so you cannot compare a Class F number with a Class H number. D3161 speeds are an older "allowable" design speed. D7158 speeds are "ultimate" design speeds from newer building code wind maps. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) published updated D7158 figures in March 2026: 116, 155, and 194 mph. Either way, Class H is the top class.
ARMA also notes that the classes assume normal conditions. The roof is 60 feet tall or less, the land is open or suburban, and there is no hill or ridge that speeds up the wind. Most houses around here fit that.
These are design wind speeds for the building code. They are not a promise that a shingle will survive any gust under that number.
What wind rating does the building code require?
The 2019 Residential Code of Ohio is based on the 2018 International Residential Code. Its Section 905.2.4.1 requires shingles to be tested to D7158, and the package must carry a label showing the class. GAF's technical bulletin TAB-R-138 reprints the code table. Where the design wind speed is 110 or 116 mph, any class (D, G, or H) is allowed. Class G or H is required only at design wind speeds of 129 mph and up.
So a Class H label is not a special upgrade. It shows up on many standard architectural shingles. For example:
- GAF Timberline HDZ lists "ASTM D7158, Class H" and "ASTM D3161, Class F" on its product page.
- Owens Corning Duration shingles list Class F and Class H in the company's guide specification.
GAF's advice is simple: "check the label on the shingles." The class is printed on the bundle wrapper.
Wind rating vs wind warranty: what is the difference?
The rating is a lab test result. The warranty is what the manufacturer will cover if shingles blow off. The warranty number is usually lower than the rating, and it comes with installation rules.
| Shingle line | Standard wind warranty | Upgraded wind warranty |
|---|---|---|
| GAF Timberline (non-LayerLock) | 110 mph, 15 years | 130 mph with 6 nails per shingle and GAF starter strips at eaves and rakes |
| GAF Timberline with LayerLock | 110 mph, 15 years | 130 mph with 4 nails and GAF starter strips, or the WindProven warranty with "no maximum wind speed" when 4 qualifying GAF accessories are used |
| CertainTeed Landmark | 15-year, 110 mph | Up to 160 mph with CertainTeed starter and hip and ridge |
| Owens Corning Duration | Not listed on the product page | 160 mph with Owens Corning components and starter at eaves and rakes |
Sources: GAF's warranty comparison guide, CertainTeed's Landmark page, and Owens Corning's Duration page. Terms change, so read the current warranty for your shingle.
Notice the pattern. Every upgrade depends on starter strips at the edges, matching ridge caps, or extra nails. The manufacturers know the edges and ridge are where wind gets in.
Why do shingles blow off below their rating?
When we inspect a roof after a windstorm, the damage rarely follows the label. It follows the weak spots. These are the common ones.
The shingles never sealed. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) found that "the strength of the seal between shingles" is the key factor in how they hold up to high wind. IBHS explains that the seal is "a temperature-activated adhesive strip." It needs warmth to bond. IBHS also notes that hand sealing is often skipped on winter installs, even though manufacturers recommend it. GAF's shingle warranty excludes damage from "failure to hand-seal shingles" installed in cold weather. A roof put on in a Cincinnati winter can sit unsealed until the weather warms up.
The edges are weak. Wind lifts a roof at the eaves, rakes, and ridge first. If the starter strip is missing, or the first course overhangs too far, the edge shingles can peel back and take others with them.
The nails are in the wrong place. Nails driven too high miss the double layer of the shingle. They hold less. You cannot see this from the ground, but it shows when shingles come off in sheets.
The roof is old. Shingles get brittle with age. A crease from one storm becomes a tear in the next. The seal strip can also let go over the years.
Debris hits the roof. Branches and flying objects tear shingles no matter the rating. GAF's shingle warranty does not cover damage "caused by objects blown onto the roof by wind."
Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to shingles?
Often, yes, if a storm caused it. Insurance generally does not pay for normal wear. The wind warranty and your insurance are separate. The warranty covers a defect in the product. Insurance covers storm damage.
Check your deductible before you file. The Ohio Department of Insurance says most home policies have a separate wind/hail deductible. If it is a percentage, it is figured on what your home is insured for, not on the size of the damage. A 2% deductible on a $300,000 home is $6,000.
Our Ohio storm claim guide covers reporting and deadlines. Our guide to Ohio roof insurance, ACV, and matching explains how older roofs are paid out.
What to ask for when you replace your roof
If you live where spring storms roll through every year, these steps matter more than the brand name.
- Ask what class is on the bundle. Class H or Class F should be the floor for architectural shingles.
- Ask which nailing pattern the crew will use. Get it in writing. If you want the higher wind warranty, ask for the special installation the manufacturer requires.
- Ask for starter strips at the eaves and the rakes. Not just the eaves.
- Ask for matching ridge caps from the same manufacturer. Many wind warranties require them.
- Ask about cold-weather sealing. If the roof goes on in winter, ask whether the crew will hand seal the edges.
- Ask who registers the warranty. Keep the paperwork and the shingle wrapper label.
Our roof replacement guide walks through the rest of the process.
How Shamrock can help
We are a GAF Certified Plus contractor. When we replace a roof, we can show you the label, the nailing pattern, and the parts the wind warranty requires. If a storm has already come through, we offer a free roof inspection and photograph what we find. You can also read about our roofing services.
FAQ
Is a 130 mph shingle safe in a 70 mph storm? Not always. A sealed, well-nailed shingle on a sound roof should be. An unsealed edge or an old, brittle shingle can fail well below the rating.
Can I tell if my shingles are sealed? Not safely from the ground. A roofer can lift a tab gently at the edge to check. Do not climb up yourself.
Does a higher wind warranty mean a higher price? Sometimes a little. The upgrade often needs extra nails, starter strips, or matching accessories. Ask for the cost of each in the estimate.
Will my insurer pay if my shingles blow off in a storm? Wind damage from a storm is often covered, minus your deductible. Your insurer decides coverage based on your policy and the damage.