Wind: harden your roof against more than just embers

Fire isn't the only thing a severe bushfire throws at your home. The most severe bushfires are often accompanied by cyclonic wind that can rip roof sheeting and tiles off before or during the fire itself.

Most metal roofs are fixed for everyday conditions, not extreme bushfire-associated wind. If sheeting lifts or tears away or tiles are blown off your home is left without roof cover at exactly the moment embers and flame are most dangerous.

Risks

• The most severe bushfires can bring cyclonic wind capable of tearing off roof sheeting and tiles
• A standard metal roof is often fixed with fewer screws than are required for  extreme gusts

Fixes

• Adding extra fixing screws to your metal roof, particularly along the gutter and ridge lines is one of the lowest-cost mitigation measures available
• Ask about cyclone-rated roofing screws and washers as they're engineered to resist uplift, wind vibration and pressure changes, and outperform standard screws in strength and corrosion resistance
• Talk to a qualified roofer before making changes, check the National Construction Code or your roof manufacturer's technical support line for guidance suited to your specific roof
• If you're building or re-roofing, ask your installer about wind-rated fixing specifications upfront, rather than the minimum standard

These are small fixes that genuinely help. Adding a few extra screws is a practical step you can take to keep your roof, and the protection it gives your home and family when you need it most.

For more on wind and roofs, visit our Resource Hub.