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 vital position roofs play in defending properties, companies, and communities from extreme climate (see infographic) and why constructing stronger, smarter roofs right this moment is important for lowering 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 line with the Insurance coverage Institute for Enterprise & Residence 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 way 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 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 weak elements of a roof, comparable to edges, decking, and fastening programs, by way 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 totally 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 below $100 for a typical 2,000-square-foot residence. Roofs constructed to the FORTIFIED normal not solely shield what issues most; it will probably 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 injury. It’s inexpensive, 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 centered 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 forestall.”
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 well-liked 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 sensible technique for lowering threat throughout whole communities. As frequency and severity of pure disasters rise, insurers are more and more centered on proactive options just like the FORTIFIED normal. These enhancements assist shield property, reduce pricey disruptions, and guarantee insurance coverage stays out there and inexpensive for extra People.”
Roofing in wildfire and hurricane zones
Roofs are additionally weak to wildfire embers, particularly in areas the place particles can ignite on the roof floor. For wildfire-prone areas, following IBHS’s Wildfire Ready Residence normal and native fire-safe roofing suggestions is vital. Likewise, in hurricane zones, robust connections between roof parts can stop catastrophic failures when wind forces try to peel roof decks away.
Changing or upgrading a roof is among the most necessary investments you can also 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:
Examine Touts Payoffs From Alabama Wind Resilience Program
FEMA Highlights Position of Fashionable Roofs in Stopping Hurricane Harm
2025 Tornadoes Spotlight Convective Storm Losses
Extreme Convective Storm Dangers Reshape U.S. Property Insurance coverage Market
Hail: The “Demise by 1,000 Paper Cuts” Peril
