By Loretta L. Worters, Vice President, Media Relations, Triple-I
Your roof is greater than only a protecting over your head. It’s the primary line of protection towards nature’s strongest forces.
Throughout Nationwide Roof Consciousness Week (June 1-7), we highlight the essential position roofs play in defending properties, companies, and communities from extreme climate (see infographic) and why constructing stronger, smarter roofs right now is crucial for lowering harm and insurance coverage claims tomorrow.
Why roof consciousness issues
The roof bears the brunt of wind, rain, hail, fireplace, and flying particles. But, many residence and enterprise homeowners overlook its situation till it’s too late. In keeping with the Insurance coverage Institute for Enterprise & Dwelling Security (IBHS), a staggering 70 to 90 % of storm-related insurance coverage claims contain roof harm. Whether or not it’s shingle loss from 60 mph winds or water intrusion via uncovered decking, roof failures can flip a storm right into a monetary catastrophe.
FORTIFIED: A greater solution to construct and rebuild
Developed by IBHS after many years of analysis, the FORTIFIED normal is a voluntary building and re-roofing technique that dramatically improves a constructing’s potential to face up to extreme climate. FORTIFIED Roof™ strengthens probably the most susceptible elements of a roof, comparable to edges, decking, and fastening techniques, via strategies like:
- Utilizing sealed roof decks to stop water intrusion (can cut back harm by as much as 95 %);
- Requiring ring-shank nails to safe roof decking extra successfully; and
- Reinforcing edges with absolutely adhered starter strips and a wider drip edge.
Many upgrades are reasonably priced. A sealed roof deck can price as little as $600, and switching to stronger nails may cost a little below $100 for a typical 2,000-square-foot residence. Roofs constructed to the FORTIFIED normal not solely defend what issues most; it may well additionally result in important insurance coverage reductions in states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. These packages are making roof resilience accessible and cost-effective for householders and companies alike.
“It solely takes one storm to show a minor vulnerability into main destruction,” stated Roy Wright, IBHS president and CEO. “At IBHS, we’ve spent many years finding out how buildings fail—and the way they survive. That analysis led to the FORTIFIED Roof normal, a confirmed solution to cut back storm harm. It’s reasonably priced, accessible, and one of many smartest investments a house owner could make for peace of thoughts and safety.”
Why It Issues to Insurers
Insurers are more and more targeted on roof resilience as a result of it reduces the quantity and severity of claims. The FORTIFIED Roof normal is a part of a broader trade shift from “detect and restore” to “predict and stop.”
Poorly maintained or outdated roofs may end up in denied claims, greater premiums, or non-renewal of insurance policies. Conversely, resilient roofs could qualify for most popular protection, decrease deductibles, and higher insurance coverage choices.
“A resilient roof isn’t only a safeguard for a single construction,” stated Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan. “It’s a wise technique for lowering threat throughout complete communities. As frequency and severity of pure disasters rise, insurers are more and more targeted on proactive options just like the FORTIFIED normal. These enhancements assist defend property, decrease pricey disruptions, and guarantee insurance coverage stays obtainable and reasonably priced for extra People.”
Roofing in wildfire and hurricane zones
Roofs are additionally susceptible to wildfire embers, particularly in areas the place particles can ignite on the roof floor. For wildfire-prone areas, following IBHS’s Wildfire Ready Dwelling normal and native fire-safe roofing suggestions is essential. Likewise, in hurricane zones, robust connections between roof parts can forestall catastrophic failures when wind forces try and peel roof decks away.
Changing or upgrading a roof is without doubt one of the most necessary investments you may make to your property. And because of assets just like the Roofing Roadmaps from IBHS, householders and enterprise homeowners could make knowledgeable selections about supplies, upkeep, and upgrades that may repay in each resilience and lowered threat.
Study Extra:
Research Touts Payoffs From Alabama Wind Resilience Program
FEMA Highlights Function of Trendy Roofs in Stopping Hurricane Harm
2025 Tornadoes Spotlight Convective Storm Losses
Extreme Convective Storm Dangers Reshape U.S. Property Insurance coverage Market
