Battling the storm: Roofing for resilience

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Supply chains, high winds and hurricane readiness put roofing contractors to the test.  

When hurricanes rip through the Southeast, they don’t just tear apart homes; they upend entire supply chains. That’s why preparation isn’t just smart business; it’s survival. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sits down with Brian Davis, vice president of technical services at Brava Roof Tile, to talk about how his company is tackling the unique and growing challenges of roofing in the storm-prone Southeast. 

“There’s always going to be the next big hurricane,” Brian says. “Last year there was Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton that came through, that really had some widespread destruction.” For roofing contractors, navigating the aftermath of a storm not only means making repairs but likely full roof replacements and an immediate demand for materials. 

Brava Roof Tile, based in Washington, Iowa, specializes in synthetic roofing products that aim to meet those demands with sustainable, durable alternatives. But having a superior product isn’t enough in a crisis. Brian explains how Brava stays ready: “We have stocking programs with our distribution partners within the Florida market. When the hurricane season is coming upon us, we want to make sure they’re fully stocked and ready to go.” 

That readiness, according to Brian, is about timing as much as technology. “After a big storm, getting material on the ground and scrambling for material is a real problem,” he says. Brava increases production in anticipation of storms and works closely with contractors to ensure materials and certified installers are in place before disaster hits. 

Brian touches on the systems Brava has in place to support high-wind performance and meet codes like Florida’s stringent Miami-Dade requirements. But he’s quick to emphasize that no product, no matter how advanced, succeeds without proper installation. He adds, “You can have a great product, but if it’s not installed correctly, then it’s not going to meet any of the performance criteria.” 

Brian stresses that preparedness starts long before the storm clouds gather. And Brava Roof Tile is betting that its proactive approach, from materials and training to distribution, will help meet the Southeast’s growing roofing demands in the face of an ever-more-volatile climate. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast for an inside look at how technology, logistics and resilience are reshaping the roofing industry in hurricane country!