FORTIFIED Roof
A roof built to a wind standard
FORTIFIED Roof is a standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) for high wind and wind-driven rain.
It is not our program and we don't grade ourselves. A third-party FORTIFIED Evaluator inspects the work and the roof gets a certificate if it passes. It is built for wind and water, not hail.
What is different
A sealed roof deck
Ring-shank nails through the deck
Tighter edge and flashing details
An evaluator's visits and a certificate
Side by side
Standard re-roof or FORTIFIED Roof
| Standard re-roof | FORTIFIED Roof | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof deck | Standard re-roofNailed to the deck's own spec | FORTIFIED RoofSeams sealed, ring-shank nails |
| If shingles blow off | Standard re-roofWater can reach the deck and the attic | FORTIFIED RoofA sealed deck still sheds water |
| Who checks the work | Standard re-roofThe permit inspector, if one is called | FORTIFIED RoofA third-party evaluator, in person |
| Paper at the end | Standard re-roofOur workmanship warranty | FORTIFIED RoofA FORTIFIED certificate |
| Hail | Standard re-roofNot a hail rating | FORTIFIED RoofNot a hail rating |
Pricing
How a FORTIFIED roof is priced
A FORTIFIED Roof is a standard re-roof plus a sealed deck, ring-shank nailing and an independent evaluator.
What decides the price
The size of the roof, in squares, and what is under the old shingles.
Squares of roof and the pitch
Layers to tear off and the deck's condition
The shingle, flashing and vents
The evaluator's visits and certificate
What the estimate includes, and what it doesn't
Tear-off, sealed deck, ring-shank nailing, underlayment, shingles, flashing, vents, permit, the evaluator and cleanup each have their own line. The evaluator's fees and any state grant are separate lines.
When you get the number
After the visit, in writing, with every line shown. We do not give a number for a roof we have not measured.
Rotted decking
Decking found rotted after tear-off is billed per sheet, at the price written in your estimate, and only for the sheets replaced.
How and when you pay
Your estimate says what is due and when. Ask about any deposit before you sign, and ask for financing terms in writing: the rate, the term and the lender.
The state grant
Louisiana's Fortify Homes program, plainly
Check the Louisiana Department of Insurance's Fortify Homes page for the rules that are open today. They change.
What it is
A state program that helps eligible homeowners pay for a FORTIFIED roof. It pays you, not us, and it is separate from our price.
Who decides
The state decides who qualifies, how much and when a round opens. We don't, and we can't speed it up.
What we do
Give you a written price, tell you what the evaluator needs and build to the standard if you hire us.
What we don't do
Apply for you, promise a grant, or lower our price to match one.
Questions
FORTIFIED questions
What is a FORTIFIED roof?
FORTIFIED Roof is a standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) for high wind and wind-driven rain: a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails and tighter edge details. A third-party evaluator checks the work and issues the certificate. We build to it; we don't certify ourselves.
Is there a state grant for a FORTIFIED roof?
Louisiana runs the Fortify Homes program through the Louisiana Department of Insurance. You apply, and the state decides who qualifies, how much and when. We can give you a written price and tell you what the evaluator needs. We can't apply for you or promise a grant.
Will a FORTIFIED roof lower my insurance bill?
Some insurers discount a FORTIFIED roof. Each company decides, so ask yours before you decide. We can't promise a discount.
How much does a new roof cost?
It depends on the roof's size in squares, its pitch, the layers to tear off, the deck's condition and the shingle. Example prices by roof size are on the Estimates page; your written estimate sets the real number once we have measured.
Want it priced for your roof?
Rufus measures, and the estimate shows the evaluator's part on its own line.