Quick answer: a FORTIFIED roof is a roof replaced to a higher standard created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It keeps the roof deck attached and water out during high winds. In Alabama, insurance companies are required to offer discounts on the wind portion of your homeowners premium for homes with a FORTIFIED designation, and eligible homeowners may be able to get a Strengthen Alabama Homes grant of up to $10,000 toward one.
What makes a roof FORTIFIED?
A FORTIFIED roof is not a brand of shingle. It is a set of installation requirements that starts at the roof deck. The main upgrades include:
- Re-nailing the roof deck with ring-shank nails at closer spacing so the sheathing resists wind uplift.
- A sealed roof deck, so if shingles or panels are lost, wind-driven rain cannot pour into the attic.
- Stronger roof edges with upgraded drip edge and starter materials, because edges are where wind damage usually begins.
- High-wind rated roof covering, either shingles or metal, installed to the standard.
- Attention to vents and openings that can let water in during storms.
The roof must be installed by a certified FORTIFIED roofer, photographed at each required step, and checked by an independent FORTIFIED evaluator. IBHS then issues the designation for your home.
Does a FORTIFIED roof lower insurance in Alabama?
Alabama law (Act 2015-313) requires insurers to offer premium discounts for homes built or retrofitted to IBHS FORTIFIED standards. The discount applies to the wind or hurricane portion of your premium, and the amount depends on your insurance company and your designation level. Your insurance agent can tell you exactly what a FORTIFIED designation would save on your policy.
How much does a FORTIFIED roof cost?
A FORTIFIED roof usually costs more than a standard replacement because of the extra nailing, sealed deck and upgraded edge materials, plus the documentation. The difference depends on the size, pitch and condition of your roof. The best way to compare is to get a standard estimate and a FORTIFIED estimate side by side, then ask your agent what the insurance savings would be.
Can I get a grant for a FORTIFIED roof?
The Alabama Department of Insurance runs the Strengthen Alabama Homes program, which has offered grants of up to $10,000 toward a FORTIFIED roof for eligible owner-occupied, single-family homes, depending on available funding. Read our step-by-step guide: How to Apply for a Strengthen Alabama Homes Grant.
How to get a FORTIFIED roof in Mobile or Baldwin County
- Schedule a free roof inspection and ask for a FORTIFIED estimate.
- Compare the cost with a standard replacement and ask your agent about your discount.
- Your certified FORTIFIED roofer installs the roof to the standard and documents each step.
- An independent evaluator verifies the work, and IBHS issues your designation.
- Send the designation certificate to your insurance agent to apply the discount.
ARC Roofing is a FORTIFIED-certified roofer serving Mobile and Baldwin County. Learn more about FORTIFIED roofs or call (251) 308-0135.