Roof damage often starts when strong winds lift the roof's edge, tearing it away from the home. To safeguard this vulnerable area, FORTIFIED standards recommend using specialized materials and methods, including a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip. Together, these create a more durable and secure roofing system.

If strong winds tear off your roof covering—such as shingles, metal panels, or tiles—it exposes the underlying wood, allowing water to seep through and cause damage inside your home. With FORTIFIED standards, roof decks are sealed to provide extra protection against this type of water intrusion.

FORTIFIED standards require the use of ring-shank nails instead of standard smooth nails. Installed in a reinforced pattern, these nails significantly improve roof deck attachment, nearly doubling the roof’s strength to withstand high winds and protect your home during severe weather.

In hail-prone regions, homeowners should consider adding the Hail Supplement to their FORTIFIED designation for enhanced protection. This requires shingles rated Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings, outperforming standard Class 4 shingles against realistic hailstones up to 2” in diameter.