By Loretta L. Worters, Vice President, Media Relations, Triple-I
Your roof is greater than only a masking over your head. It’s the primary line of protection in opposition to nature’s strongest forces.
Throughout Nationwide Roof Consciousness Week (June 1-7), we highlight the important function roofs play in defending houses, companies, and communities from extreme climate (see infographic) and why constructing stronger, smarter roofs at present is important for decreasing injury 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 response to the Insurance coverage Institute for Enterprise & Dwelling Security (IBHS), a staggering 70 to 90 p.c of storm-related insurance coverage claims contain roof injury. Whether or not it’s shingle loss from 60 mph winds or water intrusion by means of 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 a long time of analysis, the FORTIFIED commonplace is a voluntary development and re-roofing methodology that dramatically improves a constructing’s means to face up to extreme climate. FORTIFIED Roof™ strengthens essentially the most susceptible elements of a roof, similar to edges, decking, and fastening methods, by means of strategies like:
- Utilizing sealed roof decks to forestall water intrusion (can cut back injury by as much as 95 p.c);
- 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 inexpensive. A sealed roof deck can value 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 commonplace not solely defend what issues most; it might additionally result in vital insurance coverage reductions in states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. These applications are making roof resilience accessible and cost-effective for owners and companies alike.
“It solely takes one storm to show a minor vulnerability into main destruction,” mentioned Roy Wright, IBHS president and CEO. “At IBHS, we’ve spent a long time learning how buildings fail—and the way they survive. That analysis led to the FORTIFIED Roof commonplace, a confirmed solution to cut back storm injury. It’s inexpensive, accessible, and one of many smartest investments a home-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 commonplace is a part of a broader business shift from “detect and restore” to “predict and stop.”
Poorly maintained or outdated roofs may end up in denied claims, larger premiums, or non-renewal of insurance policies. Conversely, resilient roofs might qualify for most well-liked protection, decrease deductibles, and higher insurance coverage choices.
“A resilient roof isn’t only a safeguard for a single construction,” mentioned Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan. “It’s a wise technique for decreasing danger throughout complete communities. As frequency and severity of pure disasters rise, insurers are more and more targeted on proactive options just like the FORTIFIED commonplace. These enhancements assist defend property, reduce pricey disruptions, and guarantee insurance coverage stays obtainable and inexpensive 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 commonplace and native fire-safe roofing suggestions is important. Likewise, in hurricane zones, robust connections between roof elements can stop catastrophic failures when wind forces try to peel roof decks away.
Changing or upgrading a roof is likely one of the most necessary investments you can also make to your property. And because of assets just like the Roofing Roadmaps from IBHS, owners and enterprise homeowners could make knowledgeable choices about supplies, upkeep, and upgrades that may repay in each resilience and diminished danger.
Study Extra:
Examine Touts Payoffs From Alabama Wind Resilience Program
FEMA Highlights Function of Fashionable Roofs in Stopping Hurricane Injury
2025 Tornadoes Spotlight Convective Storm Losses
Extreme Convective Storm Dangers Reshape U.S. Property Insurance coverage Market
