What It Is
A FORTIFIED Roof™ is a beyond-code roofing standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It is engineered to keep your roof on and the water out during hurricanes, high winds, and severe thunderstorms.
Standard building codes set a minimum threshold for construction. They are designed to prevent collapse, not to prevent damage. A FORTIFIED Roof goes further. It uses specific materials, installation methods, and inspection requirements to create a roof system that performs significantly better than code in extreme weather conditions.
The FORTIFIED standard is not a product. It is a process. As of November 2025, IBHS requires all roofs seeking official FORTIFIED designation to be installed by an IBHS-certified FORTIFIED contractor. When the work is complete and independently verified by a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator, the homeowner receives an official FORTIFIED Roof designation from IBHS.
How It Works
A FORTIFIED Roof strengthens your home in three ways.
Nail It Down - Ring shank nails double the uplift strength of roof connections, keeping the roof deck attached to the structure during high winds.
Seal It Up - A sealed roof deck stops water intrusion even if shingles are lost. In a standard roof, losing shingles means losing your interior too. A FORTIFIED Roof changes that.
Lock It In - Reinforced edges prevent the roof covering from peeling back in high winds, a common failure point during storms.
Together, these three upgrades address the most common ways roofs fail in hurricanes and severe storms. They are proven by years of real storm performance data collected by IBHS.
Proven in Real Storms
During Hurricane Sally, more than 17,000 FORTIFIED homes took a direct hit. Over 95% had little to no damage or insurance claims. FORTIFIED Roofs have performed similarly through Hurricanes Zeta, Michael, Dorian, and others. The data is consistent: a FORTIFIED Roof dramatically reduces the likelihood of catastrophic damage.
3 Steps to a FORTIFIED Roof
1. Hire a FORTIFIED Evaluator. A certified evaluator inspects your roof and documents what upgrades are needed to meet the standard. The evaluator is independent from your contractor, which protects you and ensures the work meets IBHS requirements.
2. Work with a certified FORTIFIED contractor. As of November 2025, only IBHS-certified contractors can install a FORTIFIED Roof. Verify certification status in the IBHS directory before hiring.
3. Get your designation. Your evaluator submits documentation to IBHS. Once approved, you receive your official FORTIFIED Roof designation. That designation is what triggers insurance discounts and grant eligibility in most states.
Why It Matters Beyond the Storm
A FORTIFIED Roof is not just about surviving the next hurricane. Homeowners with a FORTIFIED designation typically see insurance premium reductions of 10% to 35% off the wind portion of their policy. In coastal states, those savings compound year after year. The designation also increases home value by an average of 7%, which matters at resale. And in many states, grant programs exist to help cover part or all of the upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a FORTIFIED Roof cost?
The cost varies by home size, roofing material, and contractor. It typically runs 6% to 16% more than a standard roof replacement. In many states, grant programs offset some or all of that difference. Insurance savings often recover the remainder within a few years.
How long does a FORTIFIED Roof designation last?
A FORTIFIED designation is valid for five years. After that, a certified evaluator must inspect the roof and verify it still meets the standard before a new five-year certificate is issued. Some states require an active designation to maintain insurance discount eligibility, so it is worth tracking your renewal date.
Can I get a FORTIFIED Roof on an existing home?
Yes. FORTIFIED Roofs are most commonly installed during a standard roof replacement. You do not need to build a new home or do a full renovation. A re-roof is the typical opportunity.
What is a FORTIFIED Evaluator?
A FORTIFIED Evaluator is an independent, IBHS-certified professional who inspects the roof before and after installation to verify it meets the standard. The evaluator is separate from the contractor and acts as a quality check on the process.
Does a FORTIFIED Roof guarantee no damage in a hurricane?
No roof can guarantee zero damage in every storm. What a FORTIFIED Roof does is significantly reduce the probability and severity of damage based on real storm performance data. It outperforms standard construction in the vast majority of documented events.
Is FORTIFIED available in my state?
FORTIFIED Roofs can be built anywhere in the country. Insurance discounts and grant programs vary by state. Check the resource map to see what incentives are available where you live. Find Grants and Incentives in Your State
How do I find a FORTIFIED contractor?
Use the IBHS professional directory to find certified roofers and evaluators in your area. Working with a certified professional also protects you from contractor fraud, which is common after storms. Learn how to avoid contractor fraud.