May 15, 2023

Is it time to start thinking about installing a new roof? Or are you in the beginning stages of building a new home? There are so many factors to consider when it comes to homeownership and a roof is a big one, especially in our wet climate here in North Carolina. We love our coastal living but it does come with a cost and some risks. Consider a FORTIFIED home program, which offers extra protection from severe weather, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wind and rain.

A FORTIFIED designation can give you peace of mind that your roof was constructed properly by a FORTIFIED roofing professional. You also may be entitled to homeowners insurance discounts and tax credits. At Patriot Roofing we are proud to be part of the FORTIFIED professional network and can count on us to deliver a FORTIFIED roof.

You can choose from three separate levels of Fortified coverage.

Roof – Is about keeping water out during a storm and keeping the roof on.

Silver – Includes the protection of a FORTIFIED roof but also includes other components

Gold – Includes the protection of roof and silver and requires that the house be tied together.

What are the benefits?

Beyond-code construction & re-roofing standards based on decades of research.
A directory of service providers trained on the standard and the verification process.
Verification of key upgrades by an independent third-party evaluator & reviewed by IBHS
A FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for financial incentives like, insurance discounts, tax credits or lower deductibles.

What are the costs?

While the FORTIFIED standards are freely available to use as a guide there are costs associated with gaining the added protection they offer. Because FORTIFIED requires upgrades from common building codes and practices, there are extra costs to cover the materials and labor that make homes stronger. These costs will vary based on your home’s individual design, as well as the specific requirements of the building code in your area.

Additionally, there is a cost to obtaining a third-party verification of the FORTIFIED upgrades that is required to receive the designation needed for most insurance discounts and mitigation credits. That said, upgrading to a newly constructed FORTIFIED Gold home can add 1%–3% to the total budget. When re-roofing a 2,000-square-foot home, the cost increase is typically between $1,000 and $3,000.

Who can use Fortified standards?

The FORTIFIED standards are freely available to use as a guide to new construction, remodeling or reroofing your home. However, to be eligible for an official FORTIFIED designation from IBHS, your home must meet certain criteria. If you meet the criteria, your roofer, builder, or contractor must work with a FORTIFIED Evaluator to document and verify the entire construction process. Without this verification, you will not be able to receive a FORTIFIED designation or qualify for any financial benefits.

If you are not seeking official certification, you may still use the FORTIFIED standards to guide construction or re-roofing. The FORTIFIED standards are available to the public on this website. Choose the standard that addresses the weather risk in your area (hurricane or high wind) and we will gladly follow the FORTIFIED requirements.

Does my home qualify for Fortified?

Homes that qualify for FORTIFIED include:

Single-family detached homes (including modular homes)
Two-family dwelling units (duplex)
Manufactured homes built after 1994 (HUD wind zone rated)
Townhouses (each unit must extend from foundation to roof; no “stacked” dwellings)

Can I use Fortified even if I don’t qualify?

If you are not seeking official certification, but still want the added protection provided by FORTIFIED, you may still use the FORTIFIED standards as a guide in construction or re-roofing. FORTIFIED standards are available to the public on this website. Choose the standard that addresses the weather risk in your area (hurricane or high wind) and ask your contractor to follow the FORTIFIED requirements.

Is Fortified the same in every country?

FORTIFIED requirements vary based on your location and are designed to protect against severe weather common in your area. A FORTIFIED professional can explain which standard is appropriate for your home.

If my home is Fortified do I have an evacuation plan?

Yes! Although IBHS used decades of science to identify the multiple layers of defenses that reduce the chances of a cascade of damage, no home is 100% “hurricane-proof,” “tornado-proof” or even “stormproof.” You should always take necessary precautions to protect your life and your family.

Will FORTIFIED prevent all damage to my home?

No. While lab and real-world experience has proven FORTIFIED to be remarkably effective at limiting storm damage, we do expect some FORTIFIED homes to experience damage during extreme weather. Some elements of a home (like siding) are not addressed by the standards and may be damaged. Other components, even ones included in the standards, can be affected by age, climate and maintenance, and some simply have limitations that prevent 100% protection on 100% of the homes where they are installed. Understanding that even a well-built home may suffer damage is key to FORTIFIED’s success. Its multiple layers of defenses significantly reduce the chances of a cascade of damage.

Can I use FORTIFIED for a commercial building?

Yes. Learn more about FORTIFIED Commercial™ at fortifiedcommercial.org.

Can I use FORTIFIED for a condo or apartment communtiy?

Yes. Learn more about FORTIFIED Multifamily™ at fortifiedmultifamily.org.

Do Insurance Companies offer discounts for active FORTIFIED designations?

Sometimes yes. Please contact your agent for more information.Because FORTIFIED homes meet standards that are scientifically proven to withstand severe weather better than ordinary building codes, insurance companies sometimes provide a discount on the wind premium. To maintain the discounts, many of those companies require the designation to be renewed every 5 years. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, we encourage you to contact your agent directly.

Watch this short video about the reason’s why a Wilmington resident chose a FORTIFIED roof from Patriot Roofing Company.