Test 1: ASTM D3161 (the fan test)
Shingles are installed on a test deck and blasted with wind from a fan. The class tells you the speed they survived:
| ASTM D3161 class | Test wind speed |
|---|---|
| Class A | 60 mph |
| Class D | 90 mph |
| Class F (highest) | 110 mph |
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) points out that these test speeds do not translate directly into the wind speeds a roof sees in a real storm.
Test 2: ASTM D7158 / UL 2390 (the uplift test)
This test measures how well the sealant strip holds the shingles down against uplift, then rates them against design wind speeds. Under the current version of the standard, the classes line up with these maximum design wind speeds for buildings up to 60 feet tall:
| ASTM D7158 class | Maximum design wind speed (ultimate) |
|---|---|
| Class D | Up to 115 mph |
| Class G | Up to 150 mph |
| Class H (highest) | Up to 190 mph |
Older articles list 90, 120 and 150 mph. Those came from the 2005 edition of the standard, which used a different wind speed basis.
What Florida code requires
The Florida Building Code requires shingles to be tested to ASTM D3161, ASTM D7158 or the Florida test TAS 107, with the required class set by your home’s design wind speed. Under the 2023 code, design wind speeds for typical homes are 170 mph in Broward County and 175 mph in Miami-Dade. A Florida Building Commission staff analysis states that shingles rated D3161 Class F, TAS 107 or D7158 Class H are acceptable in all wind zones.
Why the warranty number is different
A shingle can pass a lab test and still carry a wind warranty with conditions. For example, GAF’s WindProven warranty has no wind speed limit, but only when the roof uses GAF’s starter strips, deck protection, ridge caps, and leak barrier or ventilation products. The lab class describes the shingle. The warranty describes the whole installed system.
Installation decides the result
- Sealant needs sun. GAF says its sealant bonds after exposure to sun and warm temperatures. In long cold or dusty spells, shingles must be hand-sealed.
- Starter strips at the eaves and rakes help stop blow-offs at the edges, where wind hits hardest.
- Nailing. Four nails per shingle is the standard pattern for many products. Florida high-wind installs and many warranties call for six. Ask your roofer which pattern the quote includes.
Compare brands’ wind warranties in our Florida shingle comparison.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best wind rating for shingles in Florida?
ASTM D3161 Class F and ASTM D7158 Class H are the top ratings. A Florida Building Commission analysis says shingles with either rating are acceptable in all Florida wind zones.
Does a 130 mph shingle survive a 130 mph hurricane?
Not necessarily. Lab test speeds do not translate directly to real storms, and a warranty speed depends on installation rules. How the roof is nailed and sealed matters as much as the rating.
How many nails should a shingle have in Florida?
Many products allow four nails in normal wind areas, but high-wind installs and many enhanced warranties require six. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your shingle and wind zone.
More on how roofs work
- How asphalt shingles are made, and why Florida sun wears them out
- Impact-resistant shingles: what Class 4 really means
- Black streaks on your roof: what they are and how to get rid of them
- Underlayment and secondary water barriers: the layer that saves your house
- How hurricanes damage roofs, and what keeps yours on
- Metal roofing near the coast: Galvalume, aluminum and salt air
- Concrete tile roofs explained: how they are made and what fails first
Ready to compare quotes? Find a licensed Florida roofer or see roof prices by county.
Sources
- NRCA: The wind resistance of shingles
- NRCA: Understanding asphalt shingle standards
- ARMA: Asphalt shingle product and test standards
- GAF: Florida Building Code shingle wind ratings (R-159)
- Florida Building Commission: staff analysis on shingle wind classes
- FGDL: Florida wind speed data history
- GAF: WindProven warranty