If your roof has reached the end of its life or suffered storm damage, replacement gives you a chance to ask a useful question: Could the new roof be built to better handle the next storm?
That is the idea behind FORTIFIED Roof™. Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing standard based on research into how homes are damaged during severe weather. It addresses vulnerable parts of the roofing system that homeowners may never see from the ground.
For Oklahoma homeowners facing high winds, hail, and severe thunderstorms, it is an option worth discussing before replacement work begins.
What makes a FORTIFIED Roof different?
A roof is more than its shingles. Depending on the home and the applicable FORTIFIED requirements, a FORTIFIED Roof installation can address several parts of the system:
- Roof deck attachment: The decking is fastened according to requirements designed to improve its resistance to high winds.
- A sealed roof deck: An approved sealing method helps reduce water intrusion if the primary roof covering is damaged or blown away.
- Roof edges: Requirements address vulnerable components such as drip edge and starter materials.
- Roof coverings: Materials must meet applicable testing and performance requirements.
- Vents and openings: Applicable components must meet requirements intended to reduce storm-related vulnerabilities.
The installation also requires documentation of critical components as the work is completed. That matters because some of the most important details will be covered by the finished roof.
Who decides whether the roof qualifies?
A contractor cannot award a FORTIFIED designation simply by saying the roof was built to the standard. A certified independent FORTIFIED Evaluator documents the required installation details and submits them for review. IBHS determines whether the property meets the standard and qualifies for an official designation.
Mallard Roofing has completed specialized FORTIFIED Roof training and passed the FORTIFIED roofing contractor certification exam. Our team can walk you through the construction options and the requirements that apply to your home.
Can you choose FORTIFIED after storm damage?
If a storm has damaged your roof and replacement is needed, ask about the FORTIFIED option while you are planning the work. Your insurance policy may cover eligible storm damage, while additional upgrades may be a separate investment. What your policy pays depends on your coverage and carrier.
Mallard can explain the roofing work involved. Your insurance professional can explain your policy and any available coverage.
Some insurers may also offer incentives for qualifying FORTIFIED-designated properties, but savings are not guaranteed. Ask your insurance agent whether your carrier offers an incentive and what documentation it requires.
Start with an inspection
A FORTIFIED Roof is not a promise that a home will never sustain storm damage. It is a way to build and document a roofing system to a researched standard when your home qualifies.
If you are considering roof replacement in the Oklahoma City area, schedule a free roof inspection with Mallard Roofing and ask for a FORTIFIED Roof Consultation. We will look at your existing roof, discuss the applicable requirements, and explain your options before you decide.
