Short Answer
FORTIFIED is a construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) that strengthens residential roofs against high winds, wind-driven rain, and hail. A FORTIFIED Roof includes specific construction methods — like sealing the roof deck, using impact-resistant materials, and enhanced fastening — that go beyond standard installation. It is a construction standard, not a warranty.
Detailed Explanation
The FORTIFIED standard was developed based on decades of post-storm damage investigations by IBHS, a nonprofit research organization. These investigations identified the specific failure points that cause roof damage during severe weather — water entering through the roof deck when shingles blow off, shingles detaching due to insufficient fastening, and impact damage from hail. The FORTIFIED Roof standard addresses each of these failure points with specific construction requirements: a sealed roof deck using a specialized membrane that prevents water intrusion even if shingles are lost, impact-resistant shingles and underlayment, and enhanced fastening patterns that resist high winds. A FORTIFIED designation must be verified through an evaluation process by a FORTIFIED Evaluator, and it may qualify the homeowner for insurance premium reductions through participating insurers.
Why It Matters
A FORTIFIED Roof is engineered to resist the specific forces that cause roof failure during storms, which is particularly relevant in South Jersey where nor'easters, hurricane remnants, and severe thunderstorms are common.
Questions to Ask Your Contractor
- ?Can my roof be upgraded to meet the FORTIFIED standard during replacement?
- ?Will a FORTIFIED designation reduce my insurance premiums?
- ?What specific construction methods does FORTIFIED require for my roof type?