Making your home stronger can protect your property and your family if a severe storm hits. 

What does “home hardening” mean? 

Home hardening makes your home stronger to withstand severe weather. This can help avoid costly insurance claims. Less costly claims can also mean lower insurance costs. 

What is the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s role in home hardening? 

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) is a nonprofit research center that analyzes how buildings perform in severe weather. The lab in Richburg, South Carolina can create full-sized houses and structures and put those through heaving winds, rainstorms, hailstorms, and wildfires. With 105 fans at 350 horsepower each, IBHS can create 130 mile per hour winds. That’s equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. 

What does IBHS look for with its created storms? 

IBHS can test an entire house as a system and look for weak links that can lead to cascading failures. It then develops protective strategies.  

Does IBHS have a designation system for home hardening? 

Yes, it’s called Fortified. New construction and remodeling projects can get ratings from Roof to Silver to Gold depending on the type of materials used and how they’re used. For example, a house built to the Silver level will have metal braces on the roof to keep it from blowing off. 

Does IBHS help with wildfires? 

IBHS has a program called Wildfire Prepared that looks at mitigation strategies and creating defensible space. They suggest you keep a 0-to-5-foot zone around your house that is free of branches and other combustible materials. 

How can you show that you have a Fortified home? 

After the work is done, you get a certificate that is third-party verified. You can give this to your insurance agent. Some insurance companies offer discounts for home hardening. The extra cost of home hardening might save you money on home repairs and insurance.