Resilient roofing systems and qualified installation can help protect your home from the threat of severe weather.
As extreme weather events occur across the country every year, it’s increasingly important to take action to help protect one of your greatest investments — your home. High winds and heavy rain can wreak havoc on a roof, stripping shingles, damaging the wood underneath, and compromising critical connection points where the roof meets the walls. Left unrepaired, these issues can lead to leaks, rot, or even collapse, resulting in expensive repairs. According to some sources, wind and hail account for nearly 40% of all homeowner insurance claims after a storm. Water damage follows close behind, making up more than 23%. All of which can lead to serious damage to a home’s roof.
“Water intrusion can quickly lead to costly interior damage,” says Mike Thomas, GAF Director of External Learning & Development, Storm Restoration. “A resilient roof and a qualified contractor can help make a difference in what you face after a storm.”
Preparedness can pay off whether you’re in a big city or rural town. A 2024 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce showed that every $1 invested before a storm can reduce a community’s post-storm economic costs by $7. Starting at home is the best bet, and there are several steps homeowners can take to help protect their families, beginning with strengthening the roof over their head.
The roof: A home’s first line of defense
Making meaningful improvements starts with using the right materials and working with contractors who understand how to build for resilience. It’s why GAF, North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, has teamed up with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization, to create a first-of-its-kind alliance to expand access to FORTIFIED Roofs and products to help homeowners protect their homes from the elements.
For decades, IBHS has been studying weather-related damage and using those insights to create the FORTIFIED™ Roof standard, a re-roofing method that goes beyond code to help protect against severe weather, such as high winds, hail, and hurricanes according to IBHS.
“FORTIFIED was developed to close the gap between what’s required by code and what’s truly needed to protect homes from the increasing intensity of today’s storms,” says Fred Malik, Managing Director of FORTIFIED at IBHS. “It’s a science-based standard proven to reduce damage and help families get back on their feet faster after severe weather.”
After Hurricane Sally impacted Alabama in 2020, the Alabama Department of Insurance commissioned a peer-reviewed study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Risk and Insurance Research to assess the impact of FORTIFIED homes versus those without the designation. The results were conclusive. Homes with a FORTIFIED Roof designation had a loss frequency reduction of 55% to 73% and a loss severity reduction of 14% to 20%. Researchers also projected the potential impact if all standard houses had a FORTIFIED Roof and estimated the cost of damage from Hurricane Sally would have been reduced by $140 million or 66%.
Getting started: Three steps to a stronger roof
Earning a FORTIFIED Roof designation doesn’t happen by accident; it takes the right combination of 1) expertise, 2) products, and 3) planning. Start by choosing a contractor who is certified by IBHS to install roofs that meet the FORTIFIED Standard. These professionals are trained in the stringent installation requirements of the FORTIFIED Standard, which is designed to help homes withstand weather events.
To help build a pipeline of FORTIFIED certified contractors, GAF has developed a hands-on training program to educate GAF Master Elite® Contractors about FORTIFIED Roof construction and product selection. This program gives contractors the knowledge and skills to pursue a FORTIFIED certification with IBHS[1] and help more homeowners build stronger, more resilient homes, one roof at a time.
Next, work with your trusted contractor to find products that comply with the FORTIFIED Roof requirements. GAF offers a variety of roofing products that meet certain FORTIFIED criteria.[2] These include impact-resistant shingles and roof vents that pass stringent wind-driven rain tests, all designed to help keep the elements out.
More and more states, insurance providers, nonprofits, and government agencies are stepping in to help finance these types of upgrades and improvements. In Texas, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, Rhode Island, and other states, homeowners may be eligible for insurance discounts, grants, or tax credits, some offering savings up to 55% on certain portions of homeowners insurance premiums. A growing number of states also offer grants, upwards of $10,000, towards FORTIFIED Roofs.
Beyond these discounts and incentives, many contractors offer fast and flexible financing with competitive rates, a wide range of terms and a simple application process—to help make a strengthened, FORTIFIED Roof an achievable and affordable upgrade.
[1] Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. Visit fortifiedhome.org for information.
[2] Even if GAF products meet certain FORTIFIED requirements or are used in a FORTIFIED designated roof, GAF products are covered by GAF’s limited warranties, which provide your sole and exclusive remedy for any covered issues arising out of or related to qualifying GAF products. See gaf.com/warranties for details.
