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 important function roofs play in defending properties, companies, and communities from extreme climate (see infographic) and why constructing stronger, smarter roofs as we speak is crucial 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 house and enterprise homeowners overlook its situation till it’s too late. Based on the Insurance coverage Institute for Enterprise & Residence Security (IBHS), a staggering 70 to 90 % of storm-related insurance coverage claims contain roof injury. Whether or not it’s shingle loss from 60 mph winds or water intrusion by uncovered decking, roof failures can flip a storm right into a monetary catastrophe.
FORTIFIED: A greater method to construct and rebuild
Developed by IBHS after a long time of analysis, the FORTIFIED customary is a voluntary development and re-roofing methodology that dramatically improves a constructing’s potential to resist extreme climate. FORTIFIED Roof™ strengthens probably the most susceptible elements of a roof, equivalent to edges, decking, and fastening programs, by strategies like:
- Utilizing sealed roof decks to stop water intrusion (can cut back injury by as much as 95 %);
- 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 reasonably priced. A sealed roof deck can price as little as $600, and switching to stronger nails may cost underneath $100 for a typical 2,000-square-foot house. Roofs constructed to the FORTIFIED customary not solely defend what issues most; it may 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 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 finding out how buildings fail—and the way they survive. That analysis led to the FORTIFIED Roof customary, a confirmed method to cut back storm injury. 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 centered on roof resilience as a result of it reduces the quantity and severity of claims. The FORTIFIED Roof customary 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, larger premiums, or non-renewal of insurance policies. Conversely, resilient roofs might qualify for most popular 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 sensible technique for lowering danger throughout total communities. As frequency and severity of pure disasters rise, insurers are more and more centered on proactive options just like the FORTIFIED customary. These enhancements assist defend property, reduce 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 Residence customary and native fire-safe roofing suggestions is important. Likewise, in hurricane zones, sturdy 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 vital investments you may make to your property. And because of assets just like the Roofing Roadmaps from IBHS, owners and enterprise homeowners could make knowledgeable selections about supplies, upkeep, and upgrades that can repay in each resilience and decreased danger.
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
