"Many insurers will reduce premiums for 'hurricane-resistant' roof"

"Hurricane Zeta's surprisingly significant damage to Louisiana, much of it attributed to lost roofing that allowed water damage inside residences, should be seen by property owners as a prompt to take steps now to avoid similar damage in future storms, says Ian Giammanco, a research meteorologist and wind engineer at the Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety.

One way to do that is to follow the institute’s FORTIFIED construction and re-roofing program when making home repairs, either after storm damage or to reduce damage chances in advance of future storms. Following the guidelines might help a homeowner reduce their annual insurance premiums, as many insurance companies provide discounts when presented proof that such improvements have been completed.

The roofing recommendations in the program are aimed at increasing the resilience of roofs to the effects of hurricane-force winds. They include sealing the seams between roof deck plywood sheets beneath shingles and using "ring-shank" nails, which have ribs that double their resistance to wind uplift."

Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune July 11, 2021. [2]