Experts Agree: Prioritize Roof Upgrades in Home Renovations for Maximum Impact

Planning some home improvements? Start with the roof, advise the experts.

While a roof might not be as visually appealing or exciting to design as a high-end bathroom, it is an improvement that offers substantial returns on investment for homeowners for various reasons, according to experts. A new roof can not only increase your home’s value—enabling you to recoup 100% of your costs as per a 2022 National Association of Realtors report—it can also reduce insurance premiums and safeguard your house and everything inside it from severe weather damage.

When roofs are compromised, the problems and costs escalate. Water invasion, damage from dislodged roof components, and the destruction of rooftop machinery such as air conditioners and generators are common when roofs fail, experts note.

Annually, roof-related damage accounts for an estimated 70–90% of the total insured property damage from catastrophic weather events, reports the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

“When your roof is gone, your house becomes filled with rain,” said Nathan Lippincott, owner of Knockout Inspections in Fairhope, Alabama. With a properly installed roof, “95% of the rain stays outside, which is a relief for you and your insurance provider,” he added.

Choosing the Right Roof

Key factors to consider when selecting a roof include:

• Underlayment material: This is the barrier between the roof deck and shingles that prevents moisture penetration.
• Shingles: Asphalt shingles are widely favored due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation, but options like metal, natural slate, terra cotta, and solar shingles are also available. Considerations should include local climate, roof pitch, shingle weight, energy efficiency, and your budget.
• Warranty: This guarantees the lifespan of the product. Generally, the longer the warranty, the better.
• Installation: While often overlooked, the method of installation, such as the robust Fortified approach, is gaining recognition for providing enhanced protection against severe weather, prompting consumers to pay more attention to not just the materials, but also how the roof is installed, experts reveal.

What Exactly is a Fortified Roof?

“Fortified roof installation ensures that both shingles and, more importantly, the decking beneath them, remain intact during high-wind events,” explained Erin Shields, a sales manager at Apex Roofing in Birmingham, Alabama, and a certified Fortified roofer.

While the materials for Fortified and traditional roofs are similar, the extra cost for a Fortified roof covers the labor. “However, it’s not excessively expensive,” Shields remarked. Depending on the roof type, this could mean an additional $1,000 to $5,000, plus certification fees around $400 to $600. Fortified roofs require initial certification by an evaluator and IBHS and subsequent re-certification every five years.

According to IBHS, Fortified roofs feature:

• Enhanced edges to minimize the risk of wind lifting the roof.
• Sealed roof decks to protect against water damage if the roof is compromised.
• Stronger nails used in greater quantity to better secure the roof deck to the structure.
• Impact-resistant shingles.

Is the Additional Cost of Fortified Roofs Justifiable?

Fortified roofs are particularly advantageous in regions prone to extreme weather, experts indicate.

During Hurricane Sally in 2020, Alabama reported about 16,000 Fortified roofs, according to Lippincott. “Only 400 filed claims, and some of these were due to trees falling on the buildings. Now, there are over 50,000 Fortified roofs in Alabama,” he noted.

Various states and insurance providers offer incentives to help offset these costs, IBHS informs.

Fannie Mae is testing Fortified roofs on foreclosed properties it owns, while Freddie Mac includes Fortified roofing as an option in its single-family GreenCHOICE mortgages that finance energy efficiency improvements.

“Looking ahead, I anticipate more states and insurance companies will provide discounts,” stated Diane Delaney, executive director of the nonprofit Private Risk Management Association, which deals with insurance for high-net-worth clients. “There’s really no downside for homeowners,” she added.

How to Find a Qualified Roofer?

Certified Fortified roofers and evaluators are listed on the Fortified Home website.

If you are seeking a traditional roof due to the rarity of severe weather in your area, be vigilant of scams. Roofing projects are the most common home improvement scams, representing 15% of all complaints to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) from 2015 to 2022, according to the Inspection Support Network.

Roofing scams often increase after major storms, experts warn. Scammers typically roam affected neighborhoods offering free inspections or immediate repairs, the BBB cautions.

“The individual may claim their company is already working nearby, or they might say they noticed your damaged roof,” the BBB explains. “But probing questions will likely be met with evasive responses.”

It’s crucial to verify roofing companies, collaborate with your insurance provider, and be wary of unsolicited offers, the BBB advises.

Customers can also purchase roofs directly online from certified companies like Gunner Roofing, which operates nationwide, and MCSquared Roofing, available in North Carolina. You enter your address, select your preferred roof, receive a quote, pay, and schedule the installation.

“We offer a 25-year guarantee on labor and a 50-year guarantee on materials,” said Andrew Prchal, president and co-founder of Gunner. “And if you need to file an insurance claim, we can handle that too,” he assured.