Asking your FORTIFIED™ home evaluator the right questions during the inspection is essential to understanding the process and ensuring your home meets the necessary FORTIFIED™ standards.
The FORTIFIED™ program is designed to make homes more resilient against severe weather conditions by implementing specific construction and retrofitting standards.
By achieving FORTIFIED™ certification, homeowners can enjoy increased safety, reduced damage risks, and potential insurance savings (up to 55% in Alabama).
This guide will help homeowners prepare for their evaluations by outlining the top ten questions to ask their FORTIFIED™ home evaluator.
1. What’s the difference between FORTIFIED™ Roof, Silver, and Gold?
The FORTIFIED™ program offers three levels of certification.
FORTIFIED™ Roof
Focuses on strengthening the roof to prevent water intrusion and wind damage.
- Enhanced roof deck attachment: Doubles the uplift from high winds that your roof can withstand.
- Sealed roof deck: Reduces water intrusion by up to 95%.
- Locked down roof edges: Stronger edge system with a wider drip edge.
- Impact-resistant shingles: Shingles tested to withstand hail up to 2 inches (in hail-prone areas).
- Wind and rain-resistant attic vents: Vents designed to prevent wind-driven rain.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to a FORTIFIED™ Roof: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know In 2025
FORTIFIED™ Silver
This certification includes all the elements listed above in FORTIFIED™ Roof plus additional reinforcements for openings like doors and windows.
- Impact Protection for windows and doors: Withstands both increased pressure and impact.
- Pressure-rated garage doors: Withstands high pressures and exterior impacts.
- Chimney Bracing: Anchored chimneys to prevent tear-offs.
- Reinforced Soffits: Extra bracing and fasteners against wind-driven rain.
- Anchored attached structures: Proper connections and strong anchors.
- Gable end bracing: Prevents wind from collapsing the structure.
FORTIFIED™ Gold
The highest level of certification, addressing the entire home structure, ensuring it meets the most rigorous storm-resistant standards.
It includes all elements listed above in FORTIFIED™ Silver and engineered connections, which allows for a continuous load path for all connections.
2. What will you look at during the inspection?
Our meticulous inspections adhere to FORTIFIED™ guidelines, focusing on critical aspects such as roof attachment and impact resistance.
We provide comprehensive inspections covering all major systems and deliver detailed reports showing repairs needed or verification that everything is in working order and can be certified.
Under the FORTIFIED™ guidelines we evaluate:
- Enhanced Roof Deck Attachment
- Sealed Roof Deck
- Locked Down Edges
- Impact Resistant Shingles
- Pressure Rated Windows and Garage Doors
- Chimney Bracing
- Gable Strength; Gable End Bracing and Sheathing
- Load Handling; Continuous Load Path
Understanding these areas helps homeowners prepare for potential recommendations and repairs. We inspect the roof for various levels of certification and make recommendations.
RELATED: How to prepare for a FORTIFIED™ home inspection
3. What upgrades or repairs might I need?
Your evaluator may suggest improvements to meet FORTIFIED™ standards, such as:
- Installing stronger roof fasteners or roof deck attachments.
- Reinforcing doors, windows, and garage doors.
- Enhancing connections between walls, roof, and foundation to improve structural integrity.
These upgrades help ensure your home can better withstand severe weather conditions. For a comprehensive guide on roof repairs, refer to the Roof Repair Checklist.
4. How long does the process take from inspection to certification?
The process of fortifying your home, particularly focusing on a FORTIFIED™ roof, typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the size and complexity of your roof.
Construction enhancements can take longer depending on the upgrades required and the weather conditions during construction.
5. Will this certification lower my insurance costs?
Because FORTIFIED™ homes meet standards that are scientifically proven to withstand severe weather better than ordinary building codes, insurance companies sometimes offer discounts on the wind premiums of up to 55 percent.
To maintain the discounts, many of those companies require the designation to be renewed every five years. If you’re looking for home improvements to lower home insurance, upgrading to a FORTIFIED™ home can be a strategic investment. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, we encourage you to contact your agent directly.
6. Are there any rebates or financial help for this process?
Grant programs, such as Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) and Louisiana Fortify Homes (LFHP), provide financial assistance up to $10,000 in mitigation costs to homeowners seeking FORTIFIED™ certification.
RELATED: How to apply for the FORTIFIED™ roof grant program in 2025
Homeowners should explore available grants, tax rebates, or programs to help offset the cost of upgrades. Even though grant money is paid directly to the contractor, the contract for the mitigation work is between the contractor and the homeowner.
If there are any additional costs above the awarded grant amount, the homeowner is responsible for the difference. The grant money used for fortifying your home does not need to be repaid.
7. How will I know when my home is certified?
Once all necessary improvements are completed, the evaluator will submit verification documentation. Typically, it takes 24 hours for your certification to be entered in the database. You will receive a certificate in the mail that renews every 5 years.
8. Do I need a special contractor for the repairs?
Yes! We connect homeowners with trusted roofing and construction contractors who are well-versed in the FORTIFIED™ standards for homes along the Gulf Coast.
This ensures that any upgrades or repairs are done right the first time. Working with contractors familiar with FORTIFIED™ standards is crucial.
9. Will I need re-inspections or maintenance after certification?
Every five years, your home will need to be re-inspected, and your FORTIFIED™ Certificate will need to be renewed. Maintaining FORTIFIED™ compliance requires periodic inspections and upkeep.
Mark the renewal date on your calendar so you don’t forget—missing the deadline can result in a financial penalty. Staying on top of your 5 year certification ensures your home remains protected and eligible for insurance discounts.
10. Does being FORTIFIED™ add value to my home?
Yes! Homes with FORTIFIED™ certification offer several benefits. The biggest one is that a FORTIFIED™ designation increases the home’s value by as much as 7 percent.
RELATED: 5 Reasons a FORTIFIED™ Roof is a Smart Home Investment in 2025
The benefit of a FORTIFIED™ designation is very likely to outweigh costs especially with all the tax incentives offered and SAH grants available.
Get Expert Guidance to Protect Your Home
It is important to know (and ask!) the right questions. Now that you know the right questions to ask an evaluator about having your home upgraded to FORTIFIED™, it’s time to call our FORTIFIED™ experts.
We have the answers you need to make your home stronger and safer for you and your family in the likely event of high winds and heavy rain from a coastal hurricane, tropical storm or other severe weather.
Ready to better protect your home? We are the answer to peace of mind and safety along the Gulf Coast.