Do you question the security of your roof during high winds, heavy rain, or hurricanes? Or question whether you can afford the cost of a new roof?
Homes on the Carolina coast are subject to potential storm damage due to the extreme weather conditions we face every year. It is only natural to be concerned about whether or not your roof can withstand these conditions.
As an SC Safe Home and Fortified certified contractor, we help customers protect their roofs against these elements through grants provided to those who qualify. These grants range from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on your eligibility and offer retrofitted upgrades that will help secure your roof in the event of a hurricane or high winds.
In this article, we will explore what the SC Safe Home grant and Fortified grant programs offer, grant amounts, and how you can apply.
We’ll start by taking a look at the SC Safe Home program.
What is the SC Safe Home Program?
The South Carolina Department of Insurance describes the SC Safe Home Program as follows:
“The South Carolina Safe Home program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, provides matching and non-matching grant funds to help coastal property owners retrofit their homes to make them more resistant to hurricanes and high-wind damage. The funds provided by this program are for the sole purpose of retrofitting owner-occupied, single-family homes. SC Safe Home funds may not be used for remodeling, home repair, or new construction.”
In other words, the SC Safe Home program is a grant-based program incentivizing
homeowners to upgrade their roofs to hurricane-proof standards.
This program has a limit on the amount of funds they will disburse each year. They will continue to offer grants to those who qualify until the funds run out. The funds are replenished at different times throughout the year and new applications are accepted.
Elements of an SC Safe Home Roof
- Stronger roof deck attachment
- Secondary water barrier
- High wind-rated roof coverings
- Reinforced roof-wall connections
- Bracing gable ends
Matching funds mean that for every dollar raised or contributed by the homeowner or another source, the program will also contribute a certain amount.
Non-Matching funds do not require any contributions from the homeowner or other sources to access the funds. The program simply provides a certain amount of funding for roof repairs without any obligation to the homeowner.
If you are interested in applying for this program check out the SC Safe Home website for additional information.
The SC Safe Home Program originated for South Carolina residents, although more recently they have started to work alongside FORTIFIED, which is a program provided by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.
What is a Fortified Roof?
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) explains the FORTIFIED program as follows:
“FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing Program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against specific types of severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes and even tornados.”
In other words, the FORTIFIED program aims to enhance the resilience of homes against natural disasters, hurricanes, high-wind events, and more. FORTIFIED was originally offered to North Carolina residents, but has recently expanded into South Carolina, meaning that any Carolina resident can apply!
Similar to the SC Safe Home grant, FORTIFIED grants offer a limited amount of funds that can be used. They typically replenish these funds around twice a year.
Elements of a Fortified Roof
- A wider drip edge
- Fully adhered starter strip
- Sealed roof decking to prevent water damage
- Ring-shank nails to double the strength of your roof against wind
- Hail Supplement (added level of protection for hail-prone areas)
If you’re interested in applying for a FORTIFIED roof, check out their website for additional information.
Whether you’re considering a IBHS FORTIFIED roof or an SC Safe Home roof, it is important to know how each type can improve the functionality of your roof.
Now that we have discussed the enhancements each type of grant offers, you can schedule an inspection. We at Linta Roofing are happy to help you through this process – everything from inspection to the installation of your new and improved roofing system.
Guarding Your Coastal Home Against the Elements with an SC Safe Home or Fortified Roof
When a roof malfunctions, it can initiate a cascade of harmful consequences. Adding to stress about the durability of your roof and worse – your entire home.
Thankfully, there are grant options to protect your home. It may be beneficial for you to see if grant funds are available for you to complete your roofing project. If grant funds are depleted, it would be advantageous for you to explore alternative financing options for your roof.
However, if retrofitting isn’t an urgent priority, these programs typically replenish their funds and open to new applicants approximately twice a year.
When it comes to securing the safety of your home, your roof is the first line of defense. We at Linta Roofing are happy to extend our expertise to you to help you safeguard your home before the next storm.
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