Best Shingles for High Winds in New Mexico: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
New Mexico’s climate brings more than sun—seasonal gusts, spring windstorms, and monsoon outflows regularly test local roofs. Selecting the best shingles for high winds New Mexico homeowners can trust is essential to protect your home from strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris.
This guide compares the best roofing materials for high-wind resistance and explains how proper installation, roofing components, and manufacturer warranties affect long-term roof durability.
You’ll learn which asphalt shingles, metal roofs, concrete tiles, and tile roofs perform best under extreme weather conditions, and how to make sure your roofing system meets local building codes.
Top-Rated Roofing Materials and Shingle Types for High Winds in New Mexico
1. Architectural (Dimensional) Asphalt Shingles: Durable Roofing for Strong Winds
Architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles, are the leading roofing material for high wind areas. Their dual-layer lamination, heavy adhesives, and precise nailing pattern offer excellent wind uplift resistance and long-term durability. Rated ASTM D3161 Class F and ASTM D7158 Class H, they withstand wind speeds of roughly 110–190 mph.
These asphalt shingles combine beauty, value, and reliability. They’re widely chosen across Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Edgewood, where harsh weather and spring gusts can test every shingle roof.
Available in many colors and styles, they provide excellent curb appeal and energy efficiency when installed correctly with sealed starter rows and the right fastener placement.
Many homeowners prefer them over wood shakes or cedar shakes because they require fewer repairs and offer greater wind resistance in New Mexico’s desert regions.
2. Impact-Rated (Class 3 or 4) Resistant Shingles: Protection from Hail and High Winds
Impact-rated shingles feature advanced materials and reinforced mats designed to resist both hail and high winds. Many Class 4 shingles also carry top wind ratings (Class F or H), making them perfect for storm-prone areas and regions prone to sudden gusts and hail bursts.
These resistant shingles are ideal for East Mountain and Northern New Mexico, where severe weather, flying debris, and heavy rains are common. They’re also suited to residential roofing systems that experience high wind and impact resistance challenges.
Check both UL 2218 impact ratings and ASTM D7158 wind results, as impact strength doesn’t always guarantee wind performance.
When paired with proper underlayment and roofing components, these high-quality shingles provide excellent roof durability and can help homeowners avoid costly repairs from wind damage or hail events.
3. Designer or Heavyweight Roof Shingles: Aesthetic Appeal and Wind Uplift Resistance
Designer or heavyweight shingles deliver both aesthetic appeal and roof durability. Their multi-layer, thick design adds weight and stability, reducing wind uplift during strong winds or heavy rain.
These high-end options are popular in Santa Fe and Placitas, where homeowners value architectural beauty and long-term value.
Before installation, confirm the shingle’s wind class, preferably ASTM D3161 Class F or D7158 Class H, and ensure it’s part of a complete roofing system with proper underlayment and sealant. Heavier shingles perform best when used with reinforced edges and roofing components designed for New Mexico’s climate.
For those seeking an upscale finish, alternatives like natural slate, concrete tile, or standing seam metal roofing can also boost a home’s curb appeal while offering resistant roofing performance.
How to Choose the Best Shingles for High Winds in New Mexico
Step 1: Check the Wind Rating and Roofing Material Class
Review D3161 and D7158 results on every roof shingle package. These ASTM standards determine wind uplift resistance. Class H shingles provide the best defense against strong winds for high wind areas like Edgewood, Moriarty, and Sandia Park.
In more sheltered urban neighborhoods such as Albuquerque and Corrales, Class F architectural shingles often deliver enough wind resistance to meet local needs. Always verify your roofing material matches your region’s climate and wind speeds.
Step 2: Confirm Proper Installation for Maximum Roof Durability
Even the best shingles for high winds that New Mexico offers can fail without proper installation. Shingle performance depends on correct nailing, starter course alignment, and proper seal activation.
IBHS wind testing of asphalt shingles found that the single most important factor for high-wind performance is the strength of the seal between shingles.
Self-sealing asphalt shingles use a temperature-activated adhesive strip applied during manufacturing that bonds one shingle to the next. When this seal is activated under warm, dry conditions, it provides critical wind uplift resistance and long-term roof durability.
In hot climates and desert regions, if temperatures are too low or moisture is present, hand-sealing helps ensure a reliable bond. Improper fastening or unsealed tabs are the leading causes of roof damage, wind uplift, and water infiltration during monsoon storms.
Local roofing companies that follow manufacturer guidelines and local building codes help ensure that roofing systems perform as designed.
Regular inspections and seasonal maintenance tips, such as clearing debris and checking adhesive lines, extend the life of your roofing materials and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
Step 3: Compare Warranty Coverage and Limited Lifetime Protections
A 130 mph wind warranty only applies if your roof was installed correctly. Always ask your contractor for warranty details, including coverage time, wind speed limits, and hand-seal requirements.
Leading manufacturers, Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed, offer limited lifetime warranties when certified installers follow full system specs.
Owens Corning Shingles combine impact resistance, energy efficiency, and superior wind resistance backed by extensive testing. Keep installation photos for insurance claims or warranty proof.
Step 4: Match the Roofing Material to Local Wind Exposure and Climate
Every home faces different wind conditions. Flat roofs, ridge-top homes, and open plains experience greater wind uplift than sheltered valleys.
For high wind areas, choose Class H asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or concrete tiles that resist extreme weather conditions. In calmer zones, Class F shingles or mid-tier roofing materials may balance performance and budget.
Roof shape also matters. Hip roofs resist uplift better than gables. For homes in storm-prone areas near mountains, focus on sealing edges, rakes, and eaves where strong winds strike first. Proper flashing and roofing components prevent water intrusion and structural damage, helping maintain energy-efficient performance.
Step 5: Work with Local Roofing Experts Experienced in New Mexico’s Wind Conditions
Selecting the right roofing company is key to achieving a long-lasting, highly resistant roof. Local experts understand New Mexico’s wind patterns, terrain-driven gusts, and local building codes. Reputable roofing companies use complete roofing systems and advanced fastening techniques for both metal roofs and shingle roofs.
East Mountain Roofing specializes in storm and wind damage repair, roof replacements, and roof maintenance across Central and Northern New Mexico. We install metal roofs, asphalt shingles, TPO flat roofs, and residential roofing systems designed for long-term durability and peace of mind.
Quick Comparison: Roofing Options vs. Wind Performance
| Shingle Type | ASTM Wind Class | Best NM Conditions | Notable Advantage |
| Architectural (Asphalt) | D3161 F / D7158 H | Most New Mexico regions | Balanced cost, durability, and curb appeal |
| Impact-Rated (Class 4) | D3161 F / D7158 H + UL 2218 | Hail-prone & high wind areas | Dual hail + wind defense |
| Designer or Heavyweight | D3161 F / D7158 H | High-end & desert regions | Heavy construction + aesthetic appeal |
Learn more from ASTM D7158 (Standard Wind Resistance Classification) and ASTM E1592 (Metal Panel Uplift Overview).
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection and Wind-Readiness Assessment
Learn whether your roof meets New Mexico’s wind resistance standards and how the right roofing materials can make a difference.
A thoughtful combination of asphalt shingles, metal roofing, concrete tiles, or natural slate, installed correctly and maintained through regular inspections, can dramatically improve wind resistance, energy efficiency, and overall roof durability.
In New Mexico’s hot climates and desert regions, properly sealed roofing systems with resistant shingles help homes withstand strong winds, heavy rains, and other extreme weather conditions. Working with local experts who understand wind uplift, roofing components, and proper installation ensures your roof’s long-term performance and provides lasting peace of mind.
East Mountain Roofing serves Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Edgewood, Sandia Park, Moriarty, Belen, Placitas, and surrounding areas. To schedule a free roof inspection or request recommendations on the best roofing options for your home, call (505) 264-7081, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.