The Rockwood by Doug Tarry Homes

At Doug Tarry Homes, we build with the future in mind—prioritizing resiliency to protect homeowners from increasingly extreme weather events. While Canada does not participate in the FORTIFIED program, we voluntarily implement advanced, research-backed construction practices that exceed code and anticipate future climate conditions.In partnership with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) and researchers at Western University, we’ve developed enhanced wind-resistance strategies to better protect our homes from high wind events, including EF2 and EF3 tornadoes. This includes the use of 6-inch Simpson Strong Tie SDWC screws to anchor the top plates of exterior walls directly into the roof trusses. These screws provide a stronger mechanical connection than traditional toe-nailing methods, creating a continuous load path from the roof to the foundation and helping the roof system resist uplift forces during extreme storms. We also use 2½-inch ring shank nails for roof sheathing, with 4" O.C. nailing along perimeter edges and 6" O.C. in the field, further increasing resistance to wind uplift and delamination. In gable ends, tie-back rafters are installed to secure the ladder framing to the second roof truss, reinforcing a historically vulnerable part of the structure.

Additional Resiliency Measures Include:

• Full Tyvek Water Management System, installed and inspected to meet certified standards. Depending on the cladding system, we use either standard Tyvek HomeWrap or Tyvek DrainWrap to ensure drainage and drying behind wall assemblies. All windows and doors are sealed using Tyvek FlexWrap and Tyvek Butyl Flashing Tape, with proper shingling techniques to direct water away from openings. All other penetrations are sealed with QuickFlash gaskets. These practices not only provide superior moisture control and air sealing but also enable eligibility for the Tyvek 10-Year Limited Product and Labour Warranty, offering long-term protection and peace of mind for homeowners.

• Triple-pane, low-e, argon-filled windows with Cardinal 366 glass and a solar heat gain coefficient below 0.25, to reduce overheating and lower cooling demand during extreme heat events.

• Fully sealed sump pump systems equipped with alarm systems and backflow preventers. Sealed lids also help prevent radon and soil gases from entering the home.

• Spray-applied waterproof foundation coatings and damp-proofing membranes are applied to all below-grade walls. Drainage tile systems are installed around footings and tied into sump pumps and municipal stormwater systems to direct water away from the foundation.

These actions are part of our broader effort to support provincial resiliency goals, in alignment with recommendations from both ICLR and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), reinforcing the importance of building homes that are ready for tomorrow’s climate.

By making resiliency a cornerstone of our building philosophy, Doug Tarry Homes delivers safer, stronger, and future-ready homes that help homeowners feel secure no matter what tomorrow brings.