Published October 17, 2026 · Epoch Roofing
If you're planning a metal roof in Southwest Florida, a code change coming soon affects the most wind-exposed part of your roof.
What's changing
The 2026 Ninth Edition of the Florida Building Code takes effect on December 31, 2026. Under it, metal hip and ridge covers have to be tested for uplift resistance under a national standard called ANSI/MCA FTS-1. The requirement appears in both the Building code (Section 1504.3.1.1) and the Residential code (Section R905.10.4.1). Metal hip and ridge covers are also now officially classified as flashing, which means they have to be corrosion-resistant and meet the code's minimum metal thickness.
Why it matters
Hip and ridge caps sit at the peaks of your roof, where wind uplift is strongest. The change was added after many reports of major damage from ridge and hip flashing failures, often during storms with winds below what the roof was designed for. Once a ridge cap peels back, wind and water can get under the panels and the damage spreads fast.
What the test actually checks
The FTS-1 test anchors a 10-foot section of the cap to a mock roof structure and pulls on both faces at once, in rising steps. It records the load at which fasteners pull out, hems unlatch, or the metal tears. The result is a tested uplift rating in pounds per square foot, which can be compared against the wind loads your home is designed for.
What it means for homeowners
For decades, ridge caps have been bent to fit each job and installed according to manufacturer instructions. Going forward, the hip and ridge detail on your roof needs to match a design that has actually been tested. According to the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, many manufacturers haven't published tested details yet, and the industry is working to catch up before the deadline. If you're getting a metal roof soon, ask your contractor how they'll handle hip and ridge under the new code.
How Epoch handles it
At Epoch Roofing, we keep up with code changes so you don't have to. We install metal roofs to the manufacturer's specs and to current Florida Building Code requirements, and we're happy to walk you through your options.
Thinking about a metal roof? Call (866) 606-4049 or request a free estimate. Learn more on our metal roofing page.
Source: FRSA, "Uncertainty Surrounds New FBC Requirements for Metal Hip and Ridge"
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