Conventional roofs won’t last long in increasingly erratic weather. You need to take extra precautions to reinforce them against wild weather and storms. Windproofing your home is one way to combat these elements.
Roof Edges
The International Residential Code (IRC) requires that nails be attached to metal drip edges, which help your roof resist wind uplift and to be spaced no more than 12 inches on center (o.c.) with an overlap of 2 inches. The code also requires the drip edges’ roof legs to extend at least two inches into the roof deck.
However, it’d be better to go beyond the minimum. We recommend securing your drip edge with a five-to-six-inch roof leg using roofing nails spaced four inches, which overlap with drip-edge joints by three inches.
Wind-Resistant Shingles
Here are some of the features to look for in a wind-resistant shingle:
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High wind rating – The rating should meet or exceed the wind speeds in your area.
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Laminated Outer Layer – Fiberglass shingles can resist wind better than three-tab shingles.
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Reinforcing strips – These help improve shingles’ tear-through resistance.
Keep in mind that these shingles won’t work as advertised if they aren’t installed correctly. As such, make sure only qualified contractors will handle your residential roof installation.
Storm-Resistant Ridge Vents
Hot air trapped in your attic and underneath your shingles can shorten your roof’s lifespan. That’s why roofing systems have ridge vents, which serve as an exit point for heat. However, they can be easily blown off by gale-force winds. If you’re going to replace them, make sure you install ridge vents that have passed the Testing Application Standard (TAS) 100(A)-95 test.
Looking for qualified contractors in your area? Kirtley & Sons Roofing, a Better Business Bureau A+-rated contractor with more than five decades’ worth of experience, offers residential roof repair and installation services. To get a free estimate, call us at (281) 371-6776, or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Cypress, TX.
