How a FORTIFIED Roof Can Protect Your Home from Severe Weather on the Gulf Coast
As local real estate advisors on the Gulf Coast, we understand the challenges our homes face during extreme weather. That's why we recommend FORTIFIED roofing—a proven method to enhance your home's durability against harsh conditions. In our latest blog, learn how strategic upgrades like locking the edges, sealing the seams, and securing the deck with specialized techniques not only protect your home but also offer peace of mind. We can connect you with qualified FORTIFIED roof contractors to ensure your home is well-prepared to stand against nature’s fury.
When severe weather hits, it doesn't always take the form of a hurricane or tornado to wreak havoc on your home. Surprisingly, even storm winds as mild as 50 mph can inflict significant damage that allows water to seep into your house. The key to minimizing this risk lies in how your home is built or retrofitted—something the FORTIFIED program excels at by addressing prevalent shortcomings in typical building practices.
Understanding FORTIFIED Construction
FORTIFIED isn't just a standard; it's a better way to build, re-roof, or retrofit. It focuses on enhancing the resilience of your home against severe weather by fortifying three critical areas of your roof:
Lock the Edges
Often, roof damage starts when wind finds its way under the roof's edge, peeling it back from the house. This edge is, therefore, exceedingly vulnerable during a storm. FORTIFIED solutions counter this by requiring specifically chosen materials and installation methods. A combination of a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip creates a robust system that keeps the roof securely in place even during strong winds.
Seal the Seams
If the storm manages to tear off the external roof covering—be it shingles, metal panels, or tiles—the wooden deck underneath gets exposed. This exposure can lead to water infiltration through any gaps, causing significant damage inside the home. FORTIFIED standards mandate that roof decks be sealed effectively to prevent such water damage, offering an additional layer of security against leaks.
Nail the Deck
Traditional smooth nails might not do the job when it comes to holding your roof down in turbulent conditions. The FORTIFIED program specifies the use of ring-shank nails, which are installed in an enhanced pattern to significantly boost the attachment of the roof deck to the structure. This method nearly doubles your roof's resilience against uplift and wind forces, providing peace of mind that your home can withstand the challenges posed by severe weather.
The Bottom Line
Investing in a FORTIFIED roof goes beyond usual roofing standards. It's about making a proactive choice to protect your home and family from the unpredictable fury of nature. Whether you're building a new home, replacing an old roof, or planning a retrofit, consider the FORTIFIED way to ensure your sanctuary is safe and sound, no matter what the weather throws at it.
Remember, it's not just about enduring the storm—it's about outsmarting it with smarter building practices. Consider upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof and give your home the armor it needs to face severe weather head-on. We are happy to offer local FORTIFIED specialists.
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