How Building Materials Influence Home Insurance and Inspection Reports

There is a lot of chatter about building materials these days.

The rising cost. The predatory sales tactics. When a premium upgrade is worth it. 

To this latter point, beyond improved performance and aesthetics, it may be worthwhile to consider upgrading materials when they can effectively lower insurance premiums or produce a favorable inspection report. This can happen when the material is proven to reduce the risk of damage–or total loss–from severe weather or natural disaster.

With this in mind, keep reading as we explore the various ways that building materials can influence home insurance premiums and inspection reports.

Know the Benefits of Different Insulation Types

There is more to insulation than R-value.

True, how well a product limits energy transfer is a major consideration. However, these metrics can change drastically when the insulation is introduced to moisture, pests, extreme heat, and other types of natural stressors.

Commonly, many people will immediately compare xps vs eps insulation when selecting a product. These thermoplastics have low thermal conductivity, making them a solid choice for creating stable interior environments. Unfortunately, they can also melt when exposed to high heat, such as that which occurs during a house fire.

A product that your insurance will look on more favorably is rigid polyiso board. This innovative thermoset offers greater R-value per inch than either XPS or EPS while also yielding improved fire resistance, making it the go-to choice for those buildings wanting top marks come inspection time.

Understand the Role of Framing

Framing is about more than just the walls. It is the backbone of the entire house, the infrastructure on which a quality dwelling is laid out. It will play a crucial role in energy efficiency, weather, and pest resistance.

With this in mind, fortified framing will score higher with insurers and inspectors than standard wood panels. For example, insulated concrete forms (ICF). This innovative framing solution uses a precast insulated block set in place with concrete at the building site. The result is a continuous, double insulation layer that offers the highest resistance to air, moisture, fire, and pests on the market–facts that will not be lost on key assessment professionals.

Consider the Performance of Roofing Materials

The roof is the home’s first line of defense against the elements. It will face everything from extreme winds to UV exposure, heavy precipitation to bird droppings.

Many of the most common roof types are simply not built to withstand these myriad forces. Asphalt shingles begin to break down in as little as 10 years. Wood shakes can start to splinter and crack along the same timeline without assiduous attention to maintenance.

As such, many homeowners are exploring an upgrade to composite roof tiles. Fabricated from a combination of recycled rubber, plastic, fiberglass, and other sustainable polymers, these innovative tiles offer the highest fire and impact resistance on the market. In a world increasingly plagued by extreme weather events, the presence of composite roofing can go a long way toward helping you get a favorable insurance quote.

Assess the Threat of Moisture Damage

Water is foundational to life.

It is also a threat to your foundation.

Without the proper safeguards, unchecked moisture can cause debilitating structural damage that makes the house unsafe for occupancy.

There are numerous moisture controls the inspector will keep an eye out for, including:

• Gutters – are they made of a high-quality metal that will not get knocked around by the wind?\
• Foundation walls – is there any liquid flashing or waterproof basement membranes that will prevent groundwater infiltration?
• Grading – is the landscaping grading sufficient to keep runoff from flowing toward the home (usually around 5%)?
• Drainage features – are there slot drains or a permeable gravel infrastructure that will control the flow of excessive moisture?
• Drip edge flashing – are there adequate safeguards to keep water from flowing back under the roof and damaging the substrate?

A home with any/all of these water mitigation features will be looked upon favorably by the inspector. 

Incorporate Safety Features

Most home insurance plans cover the homeowners in the event that a guest is injured on the premises. This may include liability protection and medical payments if you are found to be legally responsible for the injury.

Therefore, any features that limit the risk of personal injury may help you secure lower premiums. Consider a matte finish to hardwood floors and textured surfaces for tiles to limit the risk of slipping. Install a lighted handrail system to keep staircases and lofts illuminated at all hours. Round the edges on countertops and use rubber covers on pointed furniture to limit the impact of a fall. 

More Than Meets the Eye: Building Materials’ Role in Inspection Reports and Insurance Premiums

Top-quality building materials can do more than improve aesthetics and performance of a home–they can also lead to lower insurance premiums and favorable inspection reports. From rigid polyiso insulation to lighted LED handrails, explore the materials listed above for more on how material selection can weigh heavily on a home’s assessment. For more of the latest trends in real estate and home inspection, explore the content at Bee Sure Home Inspection Services for the leading insights in the Northern Illinois region!

Author Bio

Brian Jeffries is a freelance writer who loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on construction projects and materials. He lives in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Brian’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.