Storm-Proofing Your Roof

Is your roof ready to stand up to the next big storm? Extreme weather events can cause a lot of damage, from leaking roofs to full home destruction. While the weather events are out of your control, ensuring your roof can withstand the worst can help you maintain peace of mind as rain and wind howl through the neighborhood. 

Let’s explore what it means to storm-proof your roof, the importance of robust roofing systems and key steps you can take to protect your home from hurricanes, tornadoes and hail.

What Is Storm-Proofing?

Storm-proofing involves designing your home in a way that helps it stay protected and fortified to withstand strong storms, resisting strong winds, heavy rain, snow and intense hail. For roofs, this involves using full roofing systems that are designed to work together to withstand the elements.

If you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes or severe thunderstorms, investing in a roof designed for storms can bring essential peace of mind when the winds start to roar. No roof can be entirely impervious to every extreme event, but adequate storm-proofing can significantly minimize the risk of damage from harsh weather conditions.

The Role of Shingles in Storm-Proofing

Shingles play a critical role as the first line of defense in storm-proofing a roof. They directly face the impact of severe weather, so their surface must withstand these elements and protect the underlying layers of your roof.

The type of material used in your shingles significantly affects their ability to resist storm damage. For example, many asphalt shingles today use a polymer-modified asphalt which is more flexible and better at absorbing hail impact and can help freeze-thaw cycles that cause traditional asphalt to become brittle.

Shingles designed for storm-proofing should also have a reinforced nailing zone to improve wind uplift resistance, as well as aggressive adhesive strips to lock the shingles into place.

Other Roofing Materials for Storm-Proofing

Storm-proofing your roof goes beyond simply having shingles. Underlayment, proper ventilation, flashing and starter strips are all essential roofing materials needed to shore up the storm resistance of your home. When these pieces work together, they create what’s known as a roofing system.

What Are Storm-Proof Roofing Systems?

True storm protection requires a system — pieces that layer together to create a unified shield.

Lisa Cimaroli, founder of Roof Rider Academy, explains that a mismatched system with weak links, like inferior underlayment or brittle ridge caps, can cost you far more than a roof — it can compromise your entire home’s envelope. You need a storm-proof roofing system that’s designed with every piece in mind.

IKO offers the PROFORMAX™ Roofing System, designed for full compatibility from underlayment under your shingles to the ridge cap that tops off your home. That means no weak points, better long-term performance and warranty protection. 

To get a better idea of what IKO’s storm-proof roof design looks like, let’s look at it with two of our shingles in mind: IKO Nordic™ and Dynasty™ shingles.

• IKO Nordic™ System with ArmourZone®

IKO Nordic™ shingles carry a class 4 impact resistance rating, the highest impact resistance rating offered by our shingles. Our ArmourZone® nailing strip provides increased resistance against nail pull through, while the shingles carry a wind resistance of up to 130 (about 210 km/h). It’s also made of the polymer-modified asphalt that offers superior flexibility in cold, hail-prone regions.

Nordic™ shingles are ideal for areas with frequent hailstorms, freezing temperatures and strong winds — like the Great Plains or Upper Midwest in the U.S. or the Canadian Prairies.

• IKO Dynasty™ System with ArmourZone®

IKO Dynasty™ shingles carry a class 3 impact resistance rating and feature the same ArmourZone® nailing strip that provides increased resistance against nail pull through, while the shingles carry a wind resistance of up to 130 (about 210 km/h). It is made with traditional asphalt material, which is lighter than the polymer-modified asphalt used in the Nordic™ system.

Dynasty™ shingles are ideal for areas in coastal regions of North America, where straight-line winds and hurricanes are most common.

How Do You Storm-Proof a Roof?

Storm-proofing a roof requires proactive measures and proper installation. The specific steps you should take to prepare your roof will depend on the weather threats in your region. However, all storm-proof roofing requires the same general principles when your contractor installs the roofing system:

• Nailing patterns and fastener placement are made according to manufacturer instructions.
• High-quality underlayment is installed to provide a crucial water-shedding barrier.
• Attic ventilation is balanced with intake and exhaust vents to avoid pressure buildup.
• Ice and water protectors are used to seal around nails to provide extra protection against water infiltration, especially in areas prone to ice dams or heavy rain.
• Proper flashing is installed to direct water away from vulnerable areas like chimneys and valleys.

You should also contact your local roofing contractor to inspect your roof to see if it’s prepared for the weather in your area. They’ll know the signs of an ill-prepared or storm-damaged roof.

Now, let’s explore some of the specific preparations you should make for extreme weather events.

Hurricane Preparation

Your roofing system should feature shingles that can stand up to hurricane-force winds. You should also contact your contractor about installing hurricane ties, also called hurricane clips and straps. These are metal connectors designed to reinforce the connection between the roof truss and the wall plate to keep your roof firmly connected to your home.

These are built with stainless or galvanized steel to prevent rust, so it can provide resistance against uplift forces for years to come.

Tornado Preparation

Contractors in tornado-prone areas should know to use six nails per shingle during installation to minimize wind damage to roof shingles. Ensuring proper ventilation is also essential for tornado preparedness. This helps your attic avoid pressure buildup, which reduces the risk of roof sheathing and other wind damage to roofs.

Hail Preparation

Choose high impact-rated shingles with polymer-modified asphalt for optimal hail flexibility. After every hailstorm, you should schedule an inspection with your contractor to identify hail damage to your roof.

Strengthen the First Line of Your Home’s Defense

Don’t wait until the storm clouds gather — take the reins and protect your home today. Consult with a reputable roofing contractor who understands manufacturer specifications and local building codes to ensure your roof is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws its way.