Innovative Roof Protection Inspired by Hailstorm

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Learn how Matt Lennox came to invent this award-winning film that is replacing tarps as temporary roof protection! 

In 2007, Sydney, Australia faced severe hailstorms that caused damage to many houses in the area. Matthew Lennox was not only frustrated by the impact of the storm, but also by the tarps the government provided homeowners as a solution. The tarps failed numerous times during subsequent storms, causing further damage and resetting the insurance claim process for homeowners. Because of this event, he went on to become the founder of Stormseal, a company that now provides an innovative, safer solution to temporary roof protection. 

“I knew that severe storms were becoming more common around the world. I was determined to find a better solution than tarps for protecting damaged properties,” Matthew told OrlandoVoyager. He wasted no time in developing a now award-winning solution. 

Matthew consulted with a leading chemical polymer engineer, John O’Neill, to develop Stormseal – a polyethylene-based film designed to be used on roofs or structures impacted by major storms. It heat-shrinks over any damaged areas and doesn’t budge until the permanent repairs are made. The film protects damaged properties from wind, hail and rain and is not susceptible to fire. 

The Stormseal film has been given two patents as well as a generous grant from the Australian Government. According to IP Australia, the $450,000 grant has allowed the company to secure their IP, develop a quality assurance program and establish a national training system so more people can apply the product. 

Stormseal has been used to protect over 9,000 homes and businesses all over the world. Matthew and everyone else at Stormseal are so glad to be able to help homeowners during stressful weather events. “That’s what it’s all about,” Matthew told OrlandoVoyager. “Alleviating the trauma, preventing further damage and enabling people ravaged by storms to get on with life.” 

Although the company has faced challenges such as a changing industry, pandemics and competitors, Matthew and his team at Stormseal will stop at nothing to help families around the globe. 

Learn more about Stormseal in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.stormseal.com. 

Photo Credit: OrlandoVoyager