Understanding Your Wind Mitigation Report
A wind mitigation inspection documents the construction features of a home that help reduce damage during high-wind events such as hurricanes.
The inspection records the wind-resistant features present at the time of inspection, which insurance companies may use when determining wind-mitigation discounts.
Property Information (Top of the Form)
This section identifies the property being inspected.
This portion of the form records the basic information for the property and the homeowner.
It includes the property address, owner information, insurance company, and basic building details such as the year the home was built and the number of stories.
Some information may be verified using public records, such as county property appraiser data, along with observations made during the inspection.
Photos and notes included later in the report provide documentation of the conditions observed at the time of the inspection.
1. Building Code (Permit Application Date)
This section is based on the date the original building permit application for the home was submitted.
- A – Florida Building Code
This option is selected when the building permit application date is March 1, 2002 or later, when the Florida Building Code (FBC) went into effect statewide. - B – HVHZ Building Code
This applies only to homes located in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — Miami-Dade and Broward counties — that were built in compliance with the South Florida Building Code (SFBC-94) with a permit application date after September 1, 1994. - C – Does Not Meet A or B
This option is selected when the home does not meet the requirements for A or B, or when the building permit application date cannot be verified.
2. Roof Covering (Type and Compliance)
Identifies the type of roof covering and the documentation used to verify it.
- The inspector records the type of roof covering installed, such as shingles, tile, metal, built-up, or membrane.
- When available, the roof permit application date is documented.
- If a permit cannot be confirmed, other documentation may be used, such as the year the roof covering was installed or replaced or records showing when the roof work was performed.
- This information is used to determine which option applies to the roof covering on the wind mitigation form.
3. Roof Deck Attachment (How the Roof Deck Is Attached)
Understanding Roof Deck Attachment
- This section identifies how the roof decking is attached to the roof structure, including the type of fasteners used and the spacing between them.
- The inspector documents the fastener type (such as nails or staples) and the spacing in the field of the roof deck, which helps determine the roof deck’s resistance to wind uplift.
- The wind mitigation form requires the inspector to report the weakest form of roof deck attachment observed.
- In general, closer nail spacing provides greater resistance to uplift forces, which can improve wind resistance.
Roof Deck Fasteners and Nail Spacing
Roof Deck Nail Spacing
This photo shows the nail pattern used to attach the roof decking to the roof framing. During a wind mitigation inspection, the inspector measures the spacing between the nails to determine the roof deck attachment classification.
Closer nail spacing, such as 6 inches on center, generally provides greater resistance to wind uplift than wider spacing like 12 inches. The nail size and spacing pattern are used to determine the roof deck attachment rating on the wind mitigation form, which may affect available insurance discounts.
8D Ring-Shank Nail Identification
This photo shows an 8D ring-shank nail, which is commonly used to attach roof decking to the roof framing. During a wind mitigation inspection, the inspector verifies the type and size of the fastener used.
Ring-shank nails provide greater resistance to pull-out than smooth nails, which helps improve the roof deck’s resistance to wind uplift. Homes with 8D ring-shank nails and proper spacing may qualify for a stronger roof deck attachment classification on the wind mitigation form.
Roof Deck Staple Identification
This photo shows staples used to attach roof decking to the roof framing. Staples were commonly used in some older construction.
However, staples generally provide less resistance to wind uplift than nails, particularly when compared to 8D ring-shank nails. Because of this, homes with stapled roof decking typically receive a lower roof deck attachment classification on the wind mitigation form.
4. Roof-to-Wall Attachment
Toe Nails (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
Toe nails are nails driven at an angle through the truss or rafter into the top plate of the wall to secure the roof structure. This method was commonly used in many older homes.
Toe-nailed connections do not use metal connectors or hurricane straps, so they generally provide less resistance to strong wind uplift compared to clips or wrap straps.
Toe Nails (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
This photo shows a metal strap embedded into the bond beam at the top of a block wall and wrapping over the roof truss. Connections like this are intended to help secure the roof structure to the wall.
However, for a connector to qualify as a clip or wrap on the wind mitigation form, there must be a minimum of three nails securing the connector to the truss or rafter.
Because this connector does not meet the three-nail minimum, the connection is classified as A — Toe Nails on the wind mitigation form.
Opposing Side of the Toe Nail Strap
This image shows the opposite side of the same strap as it wraps over the truss. Although the strap is embedded in the bond beam and wraps over the truss, only two nails are visible instead of the required three.
Since the connector does not meet the minimum nail requirement, it is still classified as A — Toe Nails on the wind mitigation form.
B — Clips (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
This photo shows an example of a clip connection, which corresponds to Option B on the wind mitigation form. Clips are metal connectors that attach the roof truss or rafter to the wall but do not wrap over the top of the truss.
To qualify as a clip connection, the connector must be secured to the truss or rafter with a minimum of three nails.
If the connector has fewer than three nails, it does not meet the requirements for a clip and is typically classified as A — Toe Nails on the wind mitigation form.
B — Clips (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
This connector is installed on the side of the truss but does not wrap over the top of the truss/rafter.
For a connection to qualify as C — Single Wrap, the metal strap must wrap over the top of the truss or rafter and be secured on the opposite side.
Because this connector only attaches to the side of the truss and does not wrap over the top, the connection is classified as B — Clips on the wind mitigation form.
B — Clips (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
This side of the strap shows only one nail securing the connector to the truss/rafter. For a connection to qualify as a C — Single Wrap, the strap must have at least two nails on this side of the truss. Because only one nail is present here, the connection does not meet the Single Wrap requirement and is classified as B — Clips on the wind mitigation form.
B — Clips (Opposite Side of the Strap)
This photo shows the opposite side of the same connector, where the strap is secured with two nails into the truss/rafter. However, the other side of the strap has only one nail, which does not meet the required nail pattern for a C — Single Wrap connection.
Because the connector does not meet the full nail requirement, the connection is classified as B — Clips on the wind mitigation form.
C — Single Wrap (Roof-to-Wall Attachment)
This photo shows a single wrap strap connection. The metal strap is embedded in the bond beam at the top of the block wall, wraps over the top of the roof truss, and is secured with at least two nails on the front side and at least one nail on the opposite side.
This nail pattern meets the requirements for C — Single Wrap on the wind mitigation form.
C — Single Wrap Strap
This image shows another view of a single wrap roof-to-wall connection. The strap wraps over the top of the truss and is secured with two nails on the front side and one nail on the opposite side, meeting the criteria for C — Single Wrap.
Spray Foam Insulation Covering the Roof Structure
This photo shows spray foam insulation applied directly to the underside of the roof decking and framing. When spray foam insulation is installed in this way, the attic becomes part of the conditioned space of the home, and the foam covers the roof deck and structural components.
Because the foam insulation covers the framing, important wind mitigation features may no longer be visible during the inspection, including:
• roof deck nail spacing
• nail type (such as 8D nails)
• roof-to-wall hurricane straps or connectors
• roof decking material
When these components are completely concealed by spray foam insulation, they cannot be visually verified during the inspection.
Using Structural Plans to Verify Construction Details
When structural components are concealed by spray foam insulation, inspectors may sometimes rely on original construction plans or structural drawings for the home.
These plans often include detailed construction drawings that specify important wind-resistant features, such as:
• roof deck nail size and spacing
• roof decking material and thickness
• hurricane straps or roof-to-wall connectors
• truss uplift and tie-down details
By reviewing the structural detail drawings in the building plans, inspectors may be able to verify how the home was originally designed and constructed when those features cannot be directly observed in the attic.
Wind Mitigation Roof Types
Hip Roof (Most Wind-Resistant Roof Shape)
A hip roof slopes downward on all sides of the structure and has no gable ends. For wind mitigation purposes, a roof qualifies as a hip roof when non-hip roof sections make up 10% or less of the total roof perimeter.
This design performs better in high winds because the sloped sides help reduce wind uplift forces during storms.
Flat Roof
A flat roof has very little slope. In wind mitigation inspections, a roof is considered flat when at least 90% of the roof area has a slope less than 2:12.
Flat roofs are common on some residential and commercial buildings and are classified separately because they perform differently in high-wind conditions.
Other Roof (Gable or Mixed Design)
Other Roof (Gable or Mixed Design)
Any roof that does not qualify as a hip roof or flat roof is classified as Other on the wind mitigation form. This category commonly includes gable roofs or mixed roof designs where non-hip sections exceed 10% of the total roof perimeter.
Secondary Water Resistance (Sealed Roof Deck Protection)
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR), also known as a sealed roof deck, is a self-adhering roofing underlayment applied directly to the roof sheathing. This material bonds to the roof decking to create a sealed barrier beneath the roof covering.
Unlike traditional underlayment that is mechanically fastened with nails, SWR adheres directly to the roof sheathing and helps prevent water intrusion if the roof covering is damaged or blown off during a hurricane or severe wind event.
Because this additional layer helps reduce the risk of interior water damage, homes with a properly installed sealed roof deck may qualify for insurance premium discounts on the wind mitigation inspection.
Section 7: Opening Protection – Levels A, B, and C Explained
Opening Protection Verification
The Opening Protection Chart identifies the type of windborne debris protection installed on windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors. During a wind mitigation inspection, the protection level is determined based on the weakest level of protection on the home, since all openings must meet the same standard to receive the highest wind mitigation credit.
Inspectors verify opening protection by checking product labels, manufacturer markings, Miami-Dade or Florida Product Approvals, and other documentation that confirm the product meets windborne debris impact standards.
Below are examples of labels, product approvals, and markings inspectors commonly use to verify opening protection for insurance discounts.
Glazed openings are openings that contain glass, such as windows, glass doors, skylights, or glass block.
Non-glazed openings are solid doors without glass, such as entry doors or garage doors.
Impact Skylight Documentation
This example is documentation provided by the roofer showing that the skylight installed is impact-rated.
Impact Window Manufacturer Label
Manufacturer label showing the window meets windborne debris impact standards and design pressure requirements used to verify opening protection.
Permit Window Detail Documentation
Window detail from the building permit showing design pressure ratings and impact approval information used to verify opening protection.
Approved Hurricane Shutter Label
Manufacturer label showing the shutter system meets impact testing standards and Florida Product Approval requirements.
Impact Window Specification Sheet
Manufacturer documentation showing the window configuration, glazing type, and impact rating used to verify opening protection.
Impact Window Glass Etching
Permanent glass etching showing the window meets impact and windborne debris testing standards used to verify opening protection.
Impact Window Certification Label
Certification label showing the window meets impact testing standards and design pressure requirements used to verify opening protection.
Impact Shutter Identification Stamp
Stamped marking on a hurricane shutter component used to identify approved impact protection systems.
OPENING PROTECTION LEVELS (A, B, AND C) EXPLAINED
Level A – Cyclic Pressure & 9-lb Large Missile:
All glazed openings are protected with verified impact-rated products designed to resist cyclic wind pressure and a 9-lb large missile impact (4.5-lb for skylights), verified through approved testing or product approvals.
Level B – Cyclic Pressure & 4–8 lb Large Missile:
All glazed openings are protected with verified impact-rated products designed to resist cyclic wind pressure and a 4–8 lb large missile impact (2–4.5 lb for skylights), verified through approved testing or product approvals.
Level C – Exterior Opening Protection (Wood Structural Panels):
All glazed openings are protected using plywood or OSB wood structural panels installed in accordance with Florida Building Code requirements to provide windborne debris protection during a storm event.
Homeowner or Authorized Representative Signature
Signature Required for Wind Mitigation Form
The wind mitigation form requires a signature from the homeowner or an authorized representative confirming that the inspection was performed at the property. Future Home Inspections obtains this signature at the time of the inspection, or we can conveniently send a click-to-sign request by email if needed.