Wind Mitigation: Real World Stories And How They May Apply To You

This week we are looking at a few real world stories of how the style of your roof can significantly impact your home’s resilience in severe weather. Gable roofs, while popular and cost-effective, can be more vulnerable to damage in high wind situations compared to hip roofs. Below are some example of stories illustrating this potential problem:

Enhanced Wind Damage During a Hurricane: A homeowner in Florida had a gable-style roof. During a Category 3 hurricane, the high winds exerted immense pressure on the gable ends, leading to the roof structure becoming compromised. This resulted in significant roof damage and subsequent water intrusion. This ended up leading to mold remediation as much of the water intrusion ended up within the walls of the home.

Costly Retrofitting Measures: After experiencing minor damage from a mild storm, a homeowner with a gable roof decided to take preventive measures against future incidents. They found that retrofitting their gable roof for better wind resistance was significantly more expensive and complex than if they had a hip roof, which naturally offers better wind mitigation.

Complications with Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs): In a Florida community with an HOA, a homeowner with a gable roof wanted to make modifications to improve wind resistance. However, they faced restrictions from the HOA, which mandated certain aesthetic standards. This limitation made it challenging to retrofit the gable roof with necessary wind mitigation features that are more easily integrated into hip roof designs.

Resale Challenges in Florida: When attempting to sell their home, a Florida homeowner with a gable roof faced challenges in the real estate market. Many of their prospective buyers were aware of the risks associated with gable roofs in hurricane-prone areas and were hesitant to the purchase. This lead to a lower resale value and a longer time on the market for this  seller compared to similar homes with hip roofs.

Final Thoughts
Make sure to have your insurance up to date and have a “go bag” with all necessary items you will need to be away from your home as well as copies of irreplaceable documents.

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Feel free to call us if you have questions at 407-319-4608. You may also schedule your inspection or find additional information on our website.

*Image from Shutterstock

*Drawings from InterNACHI