What is a FORTIFIED Roof?
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) created the FORTIFIED program, a voluntary construction program designed to help protect homes from severe weather like high winds, hail, and hurricanes. A FORTIFIED Roof designation may also qualify for financial incentives. GAF, North America's largest roofing manufacturer, has formed an alliance with IBHS to help make FORTIFIED Roofs more accessible to homeowners.
What makes a FORTIFIED Roof™?
Stronger edges
Specific materials and installation methods, including a wider drip edge and a fully-adhered starter strip, are required to help reduce the risk of blow offs caused by wind getting underneath roof edges.
Sealed roof deck
Roof decks must be sealed in a particular manner to help prevent water from passing through gaps should wind manage to rip off the roof covering.
Better attachment
Specific ring-shank nails, installed in an enhanced pattern, are required to help keep the roof deck attached in high winds.
Strong roof vent
(Hurricane Standard Only)
All ridge and off-ridge roof vents must be tested in accordance with TAS 100 (A).
Impact-resistant shingles
(Optional Hail Supplement Only)
In hail-prone areas, homeowners are encouraged to opt for the Hail Supplement, which requires shingles with a score of Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings.