Protecting Your Home From Florida’s High Winds

Florida wind mitigation starts with understanding how your home is built to resist high winds. Along the Gulf Coast, a roofing system has to do more than keep out the rain. It also has to withstand wind uplift, wind-driven rain and the pressures created during tropical storms and hurricanes

When replacing a roof, homeowners have an opportunity to address several important parts of the home’s wind resistance that normally aren’t visible. Once the old roofing materials are removed, the roof deck is exposed and certain components can be inspected, documented and, when required or appropriate, improved before the new roofing system is installed.

At Assurance Residential, Inc., we believe homeowners should understand what’s underneath their new roof, not just what they can see when the project is finished.

What Is Florida Wind Mitigation?

Wind mitigation refers to construction features and techniques intended to help a home resist damage from high winds and hurricanes.

Florida’s building standards have evolved considerably over the years as the state has learned from major hurricanes and improvements in building science. Homes built before modern Florida Building Code requirements may have been constructed using different methods for attaching the roof deck, connecting the roof structure to the walls and protecting the home from water intrusion.

Florida Statute 553.844 addresses recognized mitigation techniques for site-built single family residential structures, including secondary water barriers, roof-to-wall connections, roof-deck attachment and gable-end bracing.

For homeowners, the important point is simple: a roof replacement involves much more than installing new shingles, tile or metal.

Why Roof Replacement Is an Important Opportunity

Most of the structural components associated with your roof are hidden once construction is complete.

During a reroof, however, the existing roof covering is removed and the roof deck becomes accessible. This provides an opportunity to inspect conditions that cannot normally be seen from the exterior.

Depending on the home and applicable requirements, work performed during reroofing may include:

• Inspecting the existing roof decking
• Replacing damaged or deteriorated decking
• Addressing roof-deck attachment
• Installing a secondary water-resistance system
• Documenting roof-to-wall connections where accessible
• Identifying existing hurricane clips or straps
• Installing a new roof covering designed and approved for the applicable conditions

The goal isn’t simply to put a new covering over the house. It’s to build a complete roofing system from the deck up.

Roof Deck Attachment

Your shingles, tile or metal roof covering ultimately depends on the roof deck underneath it.

The roof deck, typically plywood or OSB on many home, is fastened to the trusses or rafters below. During high winds, significant uplift forces can act on the roof.

That makes the connection between the roof deck and the framing an important part of the home’s overall wind resistance.

During a roof replacement, removal of the existing roofing materials gives the contractor an opportunity to inspect the deck and address its attachment as required before installing the new roofing system.

This is one of the reasons proper reroofing involves much more than simply replacing the visible roof covering.

Secondary Water Resistance

What happens if hurricane force winds damage the primary roof covering?

That’s where secondary water resistance becomes important.

A secondary water resistance system is intended to provide an additional layer of protection against water intrusion if the primary roof covering is damaged or removed during a storm.

Depending on the roofing assembly and applicable requirements, different approved methods and products may be used to provide this protection.

For Florida homeowners, this layer can be particularly important. Losing several shingles or sustaining damage to tile or metal doesn’t necessarily have to mean that rain immediately has an unobstructed path into the attic.

Roof-to-Wall Connections

Another important component of a home’s wind resistance is the connection between the roof structure and the walls.

Older homes may have roof framing connected differently than homes constructed under newer high-wind standards. Modern construction commonly incorporates metal clips or straps designed to create a stronger connection between the trusses or rafters and the supporting walls.

These connections are commonly referred to as hurricane clips, hurricane straps or roof-to-wall connections.

Because these components are usually concealed by the roof deck, soffits, wall coverings or interior finishes, they aren’t always easily accessible.

A reroof can sometimes create opportunities to view or access portions of these connections that would otherwise remain concealed.

Whether modifications are practical or required depends on the construction of the individual home and applicable building requirements.

Gable Roofs and Wind Mitigation

Roof shape also plays a role in how a house responds to high winds.

Gable ends can experience significant inward and outward wind pressures during a hurricane. Wind can push against the gable wall while simultaneously creating uplift forces over the roof.

Older gable-end construction may therefore warrant additional consideration when evaluating the wind resistance of a home.

Strengthening an existing gable end can involve bracing the wall and improving how it connects to the surrounding roof and wall structure.

This is very different from simply replacing the roofing material and should be evaluated based on the construction of the individual home.

Hip Roofs

Your roof isn’t the only part of the house affected by hurricane winds.

Windows, exterior doors, sliding glass doors and garage doors can also be vulnerable to windborne debris.

If a large opening is compromised during a storm, wind can enter the house and increase internal pressure while uplift forces are simultaneously acting on the roof.

That’s why opening protection is considered separately when evaluating a home’s wind-resistant features.

Although Assurance Residential is primarily focused on the roofing system, homeowners should understand that hurricane resistance involves the entire building envelope, not just the roof.

What Does a Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection Look For?

A Florida wind mitigation inspection documents specific construction characteristics of a home.

Roof-related items commonly evaluated can include:

Roof covering
Information about the installed roofing system and applicable documentation.

Roof deck attachment
How the roof sheathing is attached to the underlying framing.

Roof-to-wall connection
The type of connection between the roof framing and supporting walls.

Roof geometry
Characteristics such as hip and gable roof configurations.

Secondary water resistance
Whether qualifying secondary water-resistance features are present.

Other portions of the inspection can address building characteristics unrelated to the roof, including opening protection.

Documentation During Your Roof Replacement Matters

One problem homeowners encounter years after a roof replacement is trying to prove what was installed underneath the finished roof.

Once underlayment and roofing materials cover the deck, many important components are no longer visible.

That’s why documentation during construction can be valuable.

When appropriate, photographs and project records can document conditions and work while the roofing system is open, including roof decking, fastening, underlayment and other concealed components.

Maintaining your roofing contract, permit information, product documentation and relevant construction photographs can provide a useful record of the completed project.

Can a New Roof Help With a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

A roof replacement can affect several roof-related characteristics that may be documented during a wind mitigation inspection.

However, installing a new roof does not automatically mean a homeowner will receive a particular insurance discount or premium reduction.

Wind mitigation inspections document construction features. How those features affect insurance eligibility, credits or premiums depends on the inspection results, the property and the insurance carrier.

A roofing contractor should explain the construction work being performed—not interpret an insurance policy or promise a specific insurance outcome.

Building a Better Roof From the Deck Up

The best time to think about many roof-related wind mitigation features is before the new roof goes on.

Once the project is complete, important components are concealed again.

Whether we’re installing an architectural shingle roof, standing seam metal roof or concrete tile roof, our approach is to look at the roofing system as a whole—from the roof deck and underlayment to flashing, ventilation and the finished roof covering.

Florida’s coastal environment demands it.

Wind Mitigation & Roof Replacement with Assurance Residential

Assurance Residential, Inc. provides residential roof replacement and roof repair services throughout Florida’s Emerald Coast and surrounding communities.

Our roofing experience includes:

• Asphalt shingle roofing
• Concrete tile roofing
• Standing seam metal roofing
• Exposed-fastener metal roofing
• Roof repairs
• Storm-related roof repairs
• Roof deck repairs and replacement
• Secondary water-resistance systems

Have a Florida Roofing Question?

If you have questions about your roof, need a repair, or are considering a roof replacement, contact Assurance Residential. We’re happy to take a look at your roofing needs and discuss your options.

Contact Assurance Residential