Fortified roofs
By: J. David Chapman/July 18, 2019
I write and speak about resilience within the built environment. I have struggled with property repairs and increases in insurance premiums due to Oklahoma wind, rain, and hailstorms.
Impact Construction of Edmond was in the process of installing one of the first Fortified roofs at the home of Wallace and Karen Mitchell at 1550 N. Coltrane, Edmond. Fortified roofs are part of an overall program that has been described as “the greatest construction advance in 100 years” by Jack Werner, owner of A to Z Inspections, and Jack is among the first Fortified evaluators.
In terms of resilience, a weather-tight roof is considered the first line of defense against damaging storms. This is why the Institute for Building and Home Safety created the Fortified roof program. The IBHS’ mission is to conduct objective scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses, and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss.
On a Fortified home, shingles are stripped, the roof deck is resealed with closely spaced ring-shank nails, the seams are sealed with tape and the underlayment is applied, followed by impact-resistant shingles with drip edge. The result: increased safety, reduced damage, and – upon certification as meeting the Fortified standard, ranging from bronze, silver, and gold – a significant insurance discount.
According to Shelter Insurance agent Aaron Ruiz, homeowners can save from 10% to 20% on policies. “I was able to lower a client’s quote nearly 12%, from $2,934 to $2,588, on a $285,000 home built in the mid-1980s, retrofitted to the bronze roof standard,” said Ruiz.
The Fortified program can help homeowners, whether they are building a new home or retrofitting an existing residence. The program is also made more affordable by offering different price points utilizing an incremental approach to employing the different aspects of the program offering three levels of designation: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. This allows homeowners to work with their builders and contractors to choose the desired level of protection that best suits their budgets and resilience goals.
As investors, we analyze return on investment. As homeowners, we may add peace of mind to the analysis. Homeowners and investors alike are sharpening their pencils, working the numbers, and considering whether Fortified homes programs are for them.
J. David Chapman is an associate professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).