You Deserve a Strong Roof. Make it FORTIFIED.

FORTIFIED Roof™ helps homeowners keep their roof on and keep water out during high winds, hurricanes, hailstorms, and severe thunderstorms. FORTIFIED goes beyond emergency and disaster preparedness to give you peace of mind knowing your roof is structurally resilient and will better withstand severe weather.

The FORTIFIED Home™ is a nationally recognized building method based on more than 20 years of scientific research and real-world testing by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).  Your roof provides the first line of defense against the elements and an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ provides better protection against severe weather.  FORTIFIED goes beyond building codes to improve performance against natural hazards and reduce the risk of personal property loss.

What is a Fortified Roof?

• STRONGER EDGES – Roof damage often begins when wind gets underneath the roof edge and begins ripping it away from the home. To help protect this vulnerable area, FORTIFIED requires specific materials and installation methods, including a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip, that when used together create a stronger system.
• REINFORCED EDGES – Studies show roof edges are especially vulnerable to wind damage. A FORTIFIED Roofing Contractor uses materials specifically designed to lock them down.
• SEALED ROOF DECK – If wind rips off your roof covering―such as shingles, metal panels or tiles―it exposes the wood beneath and allows water to pass through the gaps and enter your home. FORTIFIED requires roof decks to be sealed to prevent this type of water damage.
• SEALED SEAMS – In extreme winds, even the best roof may lose shingles. To prevent water from pouring into your home, your Roofing Contractor will seal the gaps between your roof’s decking.
• BETTER ATTACHMENT – Instead of common smooth nails, FORTIFIED requires ring-shank nails, installed in an enhanced pattern, to help keep the roof deck attached to your home in high winds. In fact, using ring-shank nails nearly doubles the strength of your roof against the forces of winds.
• STRONGER CONNECTIONS – Your Roofing Contractor will use more – and stronger – nails in an enhanced pattern proven to help keep the roof attached to your house, even in severe weather.
• IMPACT-RESISTANT SHINGLES – In hail-prone areas, homeowners are encouraged to opt for the Hail Supplement to their FORTIFIED designation. To achieve this added level of protection, shingles must score Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings. These outperform typical Class 4 shingles when tested against realistic hailstones and will better protect your home from hail up to 2” in diameter.
• GOOD NEWS – EcoStar products qualify for the Fortified Roof program! All our shapes, our stainless-steel ring shank nails and our Glacier Guard ice and water barrier can be integral parts of a Fortified Roof!

How can I get a Fortified Roof?

• Obtain estimates from roofer(s) on (1) the cost of a typical roof replacement and (2) the cost to upgrade to a FORTIFIED Roof to decide which one is right for you.
• Provide this checklist to help your roofer know what upgrades are needed for a FORTIFIED Home.
• Hire a quality roofer with guidance from this Checklist.
• Select a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator from this directory who will review documentation submitted by your FORTIFIED Evaluator, and if compliant, you will receive a FORTIFIED Roof designation certificate.

Where do I find a Contractor?

• Finding a building professional who knows the FORTIFIED standard is the first step towards protecting your home from the next storm. Whether you are seeking a certified FORTIFIED evaluator, roofing contractor or professional, Start Here.
• If you have already been in contact with us at EcoStar, then reach out to our network of sales reps and ask for the certified roofers in your area. We can help you find the right match for your home or project.

What benefits will I get as a homeowner?

• STAY DRY – a FORTIFIED Home helps protect your home and personal property from high winds and wind-driven rain.
• GET BACK HOME QUICKER – a FORTIFIED Home may reduce or eliminate time spent out of your home due to water intrusion if the roof is damaged.
• SAVE MONEY – a FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for annual wind mitigation credit that could lower your insurance premium. Check with your insurance agent for specific policy requirements and potential wind mitigation credits in your area.

Which States Participate?

Each state has their own specific details regarding the savings that may be offered to you.  Find your state’s details with this link:  Fortified Benefits by State.

This product is qualified for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard and be installed by a certified FORTIFIED Roofing Contractor. Products that are required to meet the standard include but may not be limited to: roof coverings, attic ventilation components, a qualified sealed roof deck system, roof underlayments, edge metal and appropriate fasteners for all mechanically fastened components. Documentation for all products and their installation is required. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents/ for details.