Wind mitigation means adding features like hurricane straps to your home to make it less susceptible to damage from high winds. With the right wind mitigation strategies, you can prevent significant damage caused by flying debris, sudden depressurization, and other risks during hurricanes or severe windstorms. Wind mitigation can also help you save money on homeowners insurance.
Why wind mitigation matters for your home and budget
If you live in a region that’s prone to windstorms or hurricanes, taking steps to prevent wind damage can be a good investment. The upfront expense of adding wind mitigation features to your house can provide substantial long-term value, including lower home insurance costs.
According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida insurers are required to offer insurance discounts to homeowners who add qualifying wind mitigation features — and the savings can be significant. Savings may also be substantial in other states with a high risk of severe weather (and high average home insurance rates), like Louisiana or Texas.
Moreover, the price of storm damage adds up quickly. Roof repairs average over $1,000, and a single window fix can run over $400. Fortifying your home with wind mitigation features could help you avoid those expenses altogether.
Key wind mitigation features
Insurers and inspectors look at specific construction details when assessing wind risk. The exact criteria can vary by state and insurance company, but these features come up most often.
Roof-to-wall connections
Anchoring the roof to wall framing can prevent the roof from lifting off during a hurricane or tornado. There are a several categories of roof-to-wall connections, moving from weakest to strongest:
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Toe nails: Nails are driven at an angle through the side of a roof truss or rafter into the top plate of the wall. It’s the most common way to make roof-to-wall connections, but it's generally considered the weakest.
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Hurricane clips: Metal brackets connect the roof and walls, providing better protection than toe nails alone.
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Single wraps: Also known as hurricane straps, these are metal connectors that are nailed to the roof trusses or rafters and the wall framing to secure the roof to the walls and improve wind resistance.
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Double wraps: A metal connector system that more securely fastens the roof truss or rafter to the wall framing with multiple attachment points, providing the most wind resistance.
Roof deck attachment
Inspectors will assess how the roof deck is attached. There are three classifications of roof deck attachments, which vary based on the type of attachment, the type of fasteners used, and how far apart the fasteners are spaced.
As an example, here's how Florida's standard wind mitigation inspection form breaks down the classifications:
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Option A: Plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) roof sheathing with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch is attached to roof trusses or rafters spaced no more than 24 inches on center (o.c.) using staples or 6d nails, with fasteners spaced 6 inches apart along panel edges and 12 inches apart in the field.
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Option B: Plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) roof sheathing with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch is attached to roof trusses or rafters spaced no more than 24 inches on center (o.c.) using 8d common nails, with fasteners spaced no more than 12 inches apart in the field.
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Option C: Plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) roof sheathing with a minimum thickness of 7/16 inch is attached to roof trusses or rafters spaced no more than 24 inches on center (o.c.) using 8d common nails, with fasteners spaced no more than 6 inches apart in the field.
Your state may use different classifications, but the underlying logic is the same.
Roof shape and covering
Roof shape can affect your home's wind resistance. Hip roofs, where all four sides slope at a downward angle, deflect wind better than gable roofs, which only have two pitched sides.
Another thing the inspector will look at is the type of roof covering. Metal roofs and concrete/clay tiles generally provide the most wind resistance, while asphalt shingles are more susceptible to damage from high winds or flying debris.
Opening protection
If your home has impact-rated windows, hurricane shutters, or reinforced garage doors, it can reduce the internal pressure that builds up during a windstorm and can cause roof damage.
Inspectors typically evaluate these openings for wind resistance:
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Windows
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Entry doors
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Garage doors
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Skylights
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Glass blocks
Secondary water barrier
A sealed roof deck (also called secondary water resistance, or SWR) is a waterproof layer applied to the roof sheathing beneath the shingles. It acts as a backup barrier, helping keep water out even if the roof covering itself is damaged.
The inspection process
Verifying your home's wind mitigation features starts with hiring a licensed home inspector, building contractor, or engineer. The inspector will evaluate your home in person and submit a report to your insurance company, which is typically required to earn a discount on your home insurance policy.
Most inspections run $75 to $150 and take about an hour — a small upfront cost compared to the savings you could see on your insurance bill.
If the inspection uncovers weak points in your home's wind resilience, consider making improvements as outlined by the FORTIFIED construction method. These beyond-code standards use techniques and materials proven to strengthen homes against high winds, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of wind mitigation?
Wind mitigation is the process of fortifying your home with building techniques and materials that are designed to withstand high winds. It focuses on securing the roof, windows, and doors, which can prevent structural failure during a hurricane, tornado, or other severe storm.
Is wind mitigation worth it?
Wind mitigation is often worth the cost for homeowners. Structural improvements to your home can save you thousands of dollars in potential storm repairs and may make you eligible for home insurance discounts.
To receive those discounts, most insurers require a wind mitigation inspection — an in-person evaluation by a licensed inspector who assesses your home's wind-resistant features and submits a report to your insurance company. The inspection typically costs $75 to $150 and takes about an hour, but the discount you earn on your insurance bill often offsets that cost quickly.
Is wind mitigation required in Florida?
Florida homeowners aren’t required to have a wind mitigation inspection. However, Florida home insurance companies are legally required to provide insurance discounts for properties with verified wind-loss mitigation features. Further, an inspection may be necessary to qualify for home insurance coverage in the first place, or to earn hurricane insurance discounts.
How many years is wind mitigation good for?
A wind mitigation report is usually good for five years. You’ll need a new inspection after five years to continue receiving home insurance discounts. If you make any improvements to your home in the meantime, like installing impact-resistant windows or replacing the roof, you’ll need an inspection sooner.
