Library

Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for Existing Homes.

Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.

Checklist providing information on how and when to install solid sheathing over spaced deck boards on homes located in areas that use the FORTIFIED Home™–High Wind standards.

Checklist providing good and bad methods of fortifying the roof, especially in high wind situations.

Checklist providing good and bad methods of fortifying the roof, especially in hurricanes.

Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for high wind resistance.

Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for high wind and hail resistance.

Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for hurricane resistance.

Checklist highlighting key concepts of wind design uplift pressures and design uplift pressure ratings for proper selection and installation of residential roof covering systems to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 International Residential Code for a FORTIFIED Roof™–New Roof designation.

Fact sheet instructing installers about flashing installed on a FORTIFIED roof and points to roof covering manufacturers for flashing installation instructions.

Checklist providing the type of roofing felt recommended by IBHS as a quilified sealed roof deck system for asphalt shingle or metal roofing.

Checklist providing options and a guide for taping roof deck seams.

Checklist providing information on strengthening the attachment of roof sheathing and installation of a sealed roof deck system using a spray polyurethane foam adhesive.

Checklist providing selection and installation guidance for residential, non-structural metal roof systems installed over wood roof decks with a roof slope 2:12 or greater to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 IRC for a FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof Designation.

Checklist providing additional guidance and options for asphalt shingle installations at roof edges, intersections and valleys.

Website providing technical documents of checklists, calculators, bulletin, modular home toolkit, standard details, and corrosion resistance requirements – map set; describing the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home program to improve the disaster resistance of new and existing homes.

A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.

Guide describing how and where to install flashings in order to weatherproof a roof.

Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.

Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.

Report detailing field walk-through evaluations, energy simulations for projected savings with exterior insulation upgrades, building envelope energy improvement cost estimates, and installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment and data.

Research report presenting results of short term tests on measures used in an energy efficiency retrofit project in California.

IRC guide referencing wood truss bracing best practices and requirements.

Report describing tsunamis and options for vertical evacuation from tsunamis; the guide addresses determination of tsunami and earthquake loads and structural design criteria and concepts, primarily for commercial buildings.

Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance to high wind and hail.

Report describing a laboratory assessment that provides insights into space requirements and venting strategies for heat pump water heaters (HPWH) to enhance retrofit installations and provide actionable guidance for manufacturers, designers, engineers, installers, and owners.

Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Report presenting seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family houses for homebuilders, knowledgeable homeowners, and other non-engineers.

A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

Report sumarizing results of an ICF investigation of side-by-side houses in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Article describing how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.

Factsheet describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding and soffit coverings in high wind and coastal areas.

Factsheet describing tips for building or renovating with a focus on disaster resistance.

Report by the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team on damages due to Hurricane Irma which struck Florida in September 2017, and recommendations for construction for future disaster resistance and preparedness.

Article presenting the 2008 update on the 2006 details on when required hurricane mitigation retrofits are required and the cost cap on required hurricane mitigation retrofits.

Code describing the requirements for existing site-built single-family homes to receive roof-to-wall retrofits when re-roofing.

Webpage containing a library of ready-to-use social media posts, graphics and video links that promote life-saving information about how individuals and families can prepare for and survive during a hurricane.

A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.

Website detailing how to prepare for, stay safe during, and return home after hurricanes.

Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

A news article documenting the milestone of the FORTIFED homes program surpassing 18,000 homes.

ICC-ES Evaluation Report reviewing proprietary steel shear wall panels developed by Simpson Strong-Tie Company to resist vertical and lateral loads in walls resulting from wind or earthquakes.

An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.

Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.

This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Article describing the insurance savings of a home with a hip roof versus a gable roof from the perspective of an insurance advisor.