The FORTIFIED Solution:
FORTIFIED Roof™
When severe weather strikes, a FORTIFIED Roof keeps the wind and rain out, preventing a cascade of damage that can destroy your home and belongings. FORTIFIED Roof was specifically designed to prevent damage that commonly occurs during high winds, hurricanes, hailstorms, severe thunderstorms, and even tornadoes up to EF-2. No matter what type of roof you have—shingles, metal, or tile—the following FORTIFIED Roof requirements will make your home stronger.
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.
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.
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.
IMPACT-RESISTANT SHINGLES
In hail-prone areas, FORTIFIED requires shingles tested by IBHS to show they can withstand hail up to 2 inches in diameter. These shingles outperform typical Class 4 shingles when tested against realistic hailstones and will better protect your home
Financial Incentives
Throughout the country, insurers, nonprofits and state governments are encouraging homeowners to better prepare their homes to face severe weather. Insurance discounts and tax credits reward homeowners for making their homes more resilient. While endorsements and mitigation grants help homeowners pay to upgrade to the FORTIFIED standard.
- Discounts – Most insurers in Louisiana offer discounts when a homeowner builds or retrofits a structure to comply with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code or installs mitigation improvements demonstrated to reduce the amount of loss from a windstorm or hurricane. http://www.ldi.louisiana.gov/docs/default-source/documents/publicaffairs/consumerpublications/residential_property_storm_mitigation.pdf?sfvrsn=bf947c52_26
- Tax Deductions – Louisiana provides a tax deduction of up to $5,000 (or 50% of the cost, whichever is lower) for retrofitting an existing residential structure to the updated codes. Some of the qualifying retrofits include a sealed roof deck, enhanced roof attachment, gable-end bracing, and opening protection—all of which are included in the FORTIFIED standards. https://revenue.louisiana.gov/LawsPolicies/RIB09007.pdf
The FORTIFIED Program at a Glance – HOW IT WORKS
01
Assemble Your Team
Select a contractor and an evaluator from our network of trusted professionals. In addition to completing FORTIFIED training, each one listed meets minimum requirements for experience, insurance and licenses (where required).
02
Build or Reroof to the Standard
Leave it to the pros. A certified FORTIFIED provider will know the standard and will include the required upgrades as your home is built or reroofed.
03
Verification and Review
Your contractor will coordinate with a FORTIFIED Evaluator, who verifies key elements of the standard have been met and will provide documentation to IBHS for review.
04
Designation Issued
A team at IBHS will review the documentation of key upgrades and provide a FORTIFIED designation certificate to your evaluator, who will deliver it to you. Then you can enjoy peace of mind and ask your agent about insurance discounts.
Once you’ve selected your contractor and evaluator, work begins and your home is on its way to being more prepared for storms. Your contractor will include all the upgrades required by FORTIFIED and will coordinate with your evaluator to ensure key elements of the standard are inspected.
Louisiana Fortify Homes Program