FORTIFIED Roofs
A roof built to an insurance-grade standard
FORTIFIED is a voluntary roofing standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) — the team that tests roofs against simulated hurricanes, hail, and 130-mph winds. It’s a proven, engineered method for keeping your roof on your home when the weather turns severe.
Here in North and South Carolina, roofs take a beating. Elite Roof and Solar installs to the full FORTIFIED specification and works with an independent, IBHS-approved evaluator, so your home earns its official FORTIFIED designation — the documentation your insurer wants to see.
When the roof gives way, the storm gets in
In storm after storm, IBHS researchers found the same thing: when a home loses its roof cover or deck, wind and water pour in and the damage cascades from there. FORTIFIED targets that weak link with three simple ideas — a sealed roof deck, stronger fasteners, and locked-down edges — that dramatically cut the odds of catastrophic loss. Our FORTIFIED-trained crews here in the Carolinas are ready to bring that protection to your home.
How we build to the FORTIFIED standard
Sealed Roof Deck
Ring-Shank Nailing
Locked-Down Edges
Impact-Rated Materials
Wind & Hurricane Resistance
Documented & Certified
Sawmill Village
Burnsville, NC · Yancey County
In storm after storm, IBHS researchers found the same thing: when a home loses its roof cover or deck, wind and water pour in and the damage cascades from there. FORTIFIED targets that weak link with three simple ideas — a sealed roof deck, stronger fasteners, and locked-down edges — that dramatically cut the odds of catastrophic loss. Our FORTIFIED-trained crews here in the Carolinas are ready to bring that protection to your home.
Three levels of protection
| The FORTIFIED standard |  FORTIFIED Roof |
 FORTIFIED Silver |
 FORTIFIED Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Roof Deck Attachment | |||
| Sealed Roof Deck | |||
| Locked-Down Roof Edges | |||
| Impact-Resistant Roof Covers ** | |||
| Wind & Rain-Resistant Attic Vents | |||
| Impact Protection for Windows & Doors * | |||
| Impact * & Pressure-Rated Garage Doors | |||
| Chimney Bracing | |||
| Reinforced Soffits * | |||
| Anchored Attached Structures | |||
| Gable End Bracing | |||
| Pressure-Rated Windows & Doors * | |||
| Stronger Exterior Sheathing * | |||
| Engineered Roof-to-Wall Connections | |||
| Engineered Story-to-Story Connections | |||
| Engineered Wall-to-Foundation Connections |
* Required in hurricane-prone areas only.
** Required for the optional Hail Supplement to a FORTIFIED designation.
A stronger roof can
mean a smaller premium
A FORTIFIED designation isn’t just peace of mind — it can pay you back. Many insurers offer premium discounts or credits for FORTIFIED homes, and several states require them. Programs vary by carrier and location, so we’ll help you gather the documentation you need to claim every dollar you’re entitled to.
Here’s how it works: we install your roof to the FORTIFIED specification, an independent IBHS-approved evaluator verifies it, and IBHS issues your official designation. You hand that certificate to your insurer — and start seeing the benefit. The designation is good for five years and can boost your home’s resale value, too.
Common questions about FORTIFIED roofs
What is a FORTIFIED roof?
A FORTIFIED roof is built to a voluntary, beyond-code standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It combines a sealed roof deck, enhanced ring-shank nailing, and locked-down edges to help your roof stand up to hurricanes, high winds, and hail — the storms that hit North and South Carolina hardest.
Can a FORTIFIED roof lower my insurance premium?
Often, yes. Many insurers offer premium discounts, credits, or grants for FORTIFIED homes, and several states require them. Savings vary by carrier and location, so Elite Roof and Solar helps you gather the FORTIFIED documentation your insurer needs to apply every discount you qualify for.
Do you install FORTIFIED roofs across the Carolinas?
Yes. As a GAF Master Elite and President’s Club 3-Star contractor, Elite Roof and Solar installs FORTIFIED roofs throughout North and South Carolina — including Charlotte, Hickory, Boone, Asheville, and Winston-Salem, NC and Columbia, SC.
How long does a FORTIFIED designation last?
Your FORTIFIED designation is verified by an independent IBHS-approved evaluator and is valid for five years, after which it can be renewed. Elite Roof and Solar documents every stage of the installation, so your paperwork is ready whenever your insurer asks for it.
Get your FORTIFIED roof estimate
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