What is the
Fortified program?

FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes. You can watch this video for a more detailed explanation.

We have the winning track record

With award winning expertise in the Fortified Program, we are ready to walk with you through the process, every step of the way.

Fortified Designation Levels

There are 3 different designations you can achieve with the Fortified program.

01.

Fortified Roof

FORTIFIED Roof ™ was specifically designed to prevent damage that commonly occurs during high winds, hurricanes, hailstorms, and severe thunderstorms. No matter what type of roof you have—shingles, metal,
or tile—the FORTIFIED Roof requirements will make your home stronger.

02.

Fortified Silver

FORTIFIED Silver™ was specifically designed to
reinforce the areas of your home conventional construction can leave susceptible to damage
from high winds and wind-driven rain.

03.

Fortified Gold

FORTIFIED Gold™  was specifically designed to
reinforce the areas of your home conventional construction may leave susceptible to damage
from high winds and wind-driven rain. With the requirement of engineered plans, homes are designed to withstand higher wind speeds.

Strengthen Alabama Homes

Apply for a $10,000 Fortified Roof grant

Get our complete step by step guide on how to apply for the SAH program.

Has your certificate
expired?

Fortified certificates expire every 5 years. We make the process of renewal quick and easy.

Expiration dates vary from house to house. We will gladly check our system for yours. Fill out the form below and our team will send you an email with your expiration date.

Yes!  There are several ways you can compromise your Fortified status. 

Here are some common modifications that can leave a home vulnerable to storms include:  

  1. Constructing an addition to the home 
    • When adding onto an existing FORTIFIED home, care should be taken to ensure the new section includes the upgrades that protect a home from severe weather. Work with a certified FORTIFIED evaluator to ensure all FORTIFIED requirements are met and properly documented to maintain your FORTIFIED designation.  
  2. Installing a new roof or repairing an existing roof 
    • All homes with FORTIFIED designations include added protection for the roof.  When a new roof is installed or an existing roof is repaired, the new roof or roof section should also meet the requirements of the FORTIFIED standard.  If it doesn’t, it may be missing key upgrades that keep the roof in place and the water out during high wind events.  A certified evaluator must document the materials and installation meet the rigorous FORTIFIED standard to maintain a designation.
  3. Mounting rooftop equipment (satellite dishes, AC units, weathervanes, lightning rods, etc.) with improper connections or flashing 
    • Not only can poorly installed roof-mounted equipment lead to roof leaks, if hit by debris or high winds during a storm it can be pulled loose causing damage to the roof deck.  
  4. Connecting gutter guards in a manner that diminishes the effectiveness of a roof’s edge flashing  
    • Gutter guards that interrupt the locked-down roof edges required by the FORTIFIED standard can allow wind to get beneath this critical section of roofing.  
  5. Installing solar panels to a roof with improper connections or flashing 
    • Improperly installed roof-mounted solar panels can lead to roof leaks, which is why FORTIFIED requires the attachments to the roof be properly flashed. Additionally, if high winds pull roof-mounted solar panels loose, the shingles and the roof deck can be damaged. To minimize this risk, FORTIFIED requires a professional engineer to determine how solar panels should be attached to a roof.  
  6. Adding a rooftop deck with improper or insufficient bracing, connections, or flashing 
    • When rooftop decks fail, they cause significant damage to the roof and home below. To minimize this risk, FORTIFIED requires they be designed by a professional engineer, ensuring they are adequately braced for the increased wind loads brought on by severe weather.  
  7. Not including impact resistance when replacing or adding windows (Silver and Gold designations only) 
    • In hurricane-prone areas, FORTIFIED Silver and FORTIFIED Gold designations require windows be protected from storm debris. This requirement can be met by installing impact-rated windows or a tested hurricane shutter system. When adding or replacing windows, engage a FORTIFIED evaluator to document material and installation meet the FORTIFIED standard.  
  8. Replacing garage doors that don’t meet required wind pressure ratings (Silver and Gold designations only) 
    • FORTIFIED Silver designations require garage doors meet pressure ratings appropriate for the property’s location.  When purchasing a new garage door, contact a FORTIFIED evaluator who can ensure it meets this requirement and collect the documentation needed to maintain your designation. 
  9. Replacing exterior doors that don’t meet required wind pressure ratings (Gold designations only) 
    • In hurricane prone areas, FORTIFIED Gold designations require exterior doors meet pressure ratings appropriate for the property’s location.  When purchasing a new exterior door, contact a FORTIFIED evaluator who can ensure it meets this requirement and collect the documentation needed to maintain your designation. 
  10. Installing a dog door in any exterior door (Gold designations only) 
    • FORTIFIED Gold designations also require exterior doors meet pressure ratings appropriate for a property’s location. Altering doors after they’ve been purchased, by adding windows or even a dog door, impacts their ability to withstand pressure and can leave your home vulnerable during a storm.  

We can help you renew your Fortified Certificate. You just  answer a few questions on the Redesignation Form below  and our team will reach out to schedule your renewal evaluation.

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We’re eager to connect with you and explore the possibility of a productive Fortified partnership.