If your home’s roofing was ever damaged by a storm, it does not have to happen again! There are now roofing products and installation methods that can withstand strong hurricane force winds. The key is to know and specify the right types of products and methods.

Homeowners insurance in hurricane zones normally has a large deductible for damage from a named storm, resulting in a substantial out of pocket expense to restore a damaged roof. The cost of an upgraded roofing system to avoid future hurricane damage is an exceptionally wise investment – saving you money, hassle and potential displacement from your home due to roof and water damages.

Take control of your future by specifying the following hurricane-hardy roof guidelines and by selecting a licensed or registered roofing contractor who is willing to implement them. The guidelines after the first two steps apply to both new roofs as well as roofing replacements.

For more detailed information to provide to your roofing contractor, get the Fortified Reroofing Checklist at fortifiedhome.org/standards. “Fortified Roof” is a designation program of the Institute of Business and Home Safety (www.disastersafety.org). Some insurance companies offer premium discounts for verified Fortified Roofs, yet those research-based guidelines are available online and highly recommended, whether or not the designation process is undertaken.

• When reroofing, remove all the existing roof covering. Do not add new shingles on top of old shingles.
• Examine the roof decking for damage and make sure it is at least 7/16 inch thick. Replace damaged wood. If replacing the entire deck, consider upgrading to 5/8” plywood for a stronger roof.
• Reinforce roof decking attachment to roof framing with 8d ring shank nails (at least 0.113 inch diameter, 2 3/8 inches long with full round head) spaced every 6 inches, and every 4 inches along gable ends. Do NOT fasten roof decking with staples or screws.
• Add a secondary moisture barrier to prevent water leaks at decking seams if roofing is ever lost or damaged. This can be achieved by taping the panel seams with a 4-inch wide adhesive flashing tape approved for use on roofs (do not use window flashing tape).
• Properly install new, durable flashing at all penetrations, roof/wall intersections and valleys. Proper installation methods layer materials shingle-fashion to prevent water seepage under flashings. When a roof slope intersects a side wall, step flashing is best practice; the commonly used continuous turnback L-flashing is less robust in shedding heavy rain and it creates a dimple in shingles that can catch wind.
• Upgrade the underlayment. Choose tear-resistant #30 synthetic underlayment, or for greatest protection, install an adhesive membrane (peel and stick) underlayment on the entire deck with a roofing felt layer over it as a bond break to simplify future shingle removal (no need for taped seams with membrane underlayment).
• Install new drip edge over the underlayment and fasten every 4 inches to hold down the underlayment’s edges during high wind. Along the roof eave, flashing cement or tape at the top of the drip flashing is a good added measure to prevent water seepage under it.
• Select a wind-tested roofing system rated above the local building code wind speed. (Visit www.lsuagcenter.com and search “Wind Hazard Zones” to find your location’s wind speed.) For shingles, use at least Class F (ASTM D3161) or choose Class H (ASTM D7158 tested to 150 mph) for highest wind resistance. Note that shingle lifespan warranties (in years) are NOT an indicator of wind resistance, so a high-end 40-year architectural shingle that is not wind-rated is not made to withstand high wind and may not perform well in a hurricane.
• The wind-rated roofing must be installed strictly according to the manufacturer’s high-wind instructions. High wind rated shingles usually require a matched starter strip which has strategically placed adhesive (NOT a trimmed or upside down shingle as the starter) and 6 nails per shingle at specific spots, in order to perform as tested and be warranted.
• Even the highest wind rated shingles can fail if the roofing nails are improperly placed. Overdriven nails penetrate, rather than hold the shingles in place. This failure is common with the use of nail guns to install shingles. By hand nailing, roofers can ensure the nail is properly placed flush with the shingle. Consider specifying hand nailing in your roofing bids.
• If your home has a vented attic, use only TAS 100(A) tested ridge or roof vents. Securely fasten strong panels and soffit vents to the framing under roof overhangs. Perforated fiber cement soffits are a sturdy, one-step, low-maintenance option.