Is your roof Tornado Proof?
Is Your Roof Tornado Proof?
Recently, we have been experiencing more wind-driven storms in the United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 had a total of 1,796 confirmed tornados, the second highest number since records began in 1950.
Middle Tennessee has experienced 21 tornadoes in just the year 2025! They have more recorded tornadoes within the first four months of 2025 than what is typically seen annually. With unfavorable weather expected during the spring, Tennessee will see an average of 6–12 inches of rain during the winter season.
Before the weather gets wet and cold, let’s look at what we can do to create and maintain resilient roofs.
Asphalt, Metal, Concrete, Oh My!
One of the first steps in ensuring your roof has strength against storms is checking out the material used during construction. Some roofs may have used impact-resistant asphalt shingles. These are commonly used on newer roofs in Tennessee and are an affordable option. The primary purpose of asphalt is to serve as a “water-shedding agent.”
These shingles are considered wind-resistant; however, there are different classes to this concept. Class 4 shingles indicate the resistance against a 2-inch steel ball dropped from a 20-foot height. These shingles are ideal for maximum protection against hail.
More materials that rank highly for weather protection are synthetic slate or rubber tiles. Synthetic slate tiles can be made of materials like rubber, plastic, or recycled materials. These tiles can qualify for Class 4 protection rating depending on what they’re made of. Rubber tiles are lightweight and are known to last. Some say these tiles can outperform different types of asphalt shingles!
Another strong contender for roofing materials includes a metal roof. These roofs are an excellent option when it comes to wind and hail protection. Whether it’s a standing seam or corrugated metal, these roofs are known for their robust design and resilience against high wind and hail damage.
Nails, Not Staples!
If you’re building a home or updating a roof, installing upgraded details for wind protection are a must! How many nails do you think each shingle needs for high-wind zones? If you said 6, you’re right!
For areas prone to high wind, Ring Shank nails are commonly used for attaching shingles and can act as a strong roof deck attachment.
A roof deck — what is that? A roof deck attachment refers to the materials used when attaching roof sheathing to roof framing members. In layman’s terms, your roof deck is the material that forms the structural base of the roof and connects to the frame of your home.
When it comes to powerful wind, using 8D Ring Shank nails can increase holding power by 40%!
If you’ve ever wondered what keeps water from going under your shingles, it’s Drip Edge flashing at work! Drip edges may seem like just another roof trim, but it plays an important role in keeping water from doing damage to the materials under the shingles. Without these edges, water could go behind the gutters and cause damage.
Drip edges are required by code in Tennessee for most homes that have asphalt shingles. You can read more about residential roof codes for your area, here: https://up.codes/viewer/tennessee/irc-2009/chapter/9/roof assemblies#9.
Reinforce Your Structures
Why do roofs blow off during a windstorm? Most of the time it’s due to aging materials or improper installation. When there are openings in your barn like windows or doors, wind gusts can create a suction effect and lift the roof right off your barn!
To reinforce your structures, we recommend adding hurricane clips or hurricane ties. Both are connectors that get nailed to your rafters. Hurricane clips are U-shaped and hurricane ties look like straps. Both options are flexible and versatile for various roof designs.
Make sure to purchase hot-dipped galvanized 8D 1½” nails. A regular nail simply won’t do the trick!
Ice and Water Protection
Although Tennessee doesn’t experience legendary snow loads, adding a waterproof, self-adhering membrane under your shingles could improve your roof barrier when it comes to heavy rain.
Tennessee can see up to 51 inches of rain annually! That’s more than Seattle’s average of 37–39 inches annually. Waterproof membrane can only be applied before the shingles are nailed in.
Don’t worry! There are still options for you to upgrade your roof without the hassle of reinstalling shingles. Roof coatings are a great way to prolong the life of your roof and help protect against water seepage.
No matter what your roof is made of, coatings can be used on almost any material! There are so many roof coatings to pick from depending on your needs. You can learn everything you’ll need to know in this article: https://rencoroofing.com/all-you-need-to-knowabout-roof-coatings/.
General Maintenance
Throughout the year, it is imperative to check the health of your roof. We recommend keeping trees trimmed away from your roof as a preventative measure. Keep gutters cleaned out twice a year to avoid clogs.
Check for loosening shingles, cracked tiles, or rust on metal roofs, especially after a storm. When finding damage, repair quickly and efficiently to keep repair costs low and stress free.
Replacing or rebuilding your roof brings many things to consider. Having information about all you can do to protect your new structure is crucial.
We recommend checking out FORTIFIED Home by IBHS (Institute for Business and Home Safety). They offer a voluntary construction and re-roofing program and much more information about FORTIFIED Solutions.
If you have any questions, please contact your agent. We would be glad to help!