Every roofing contractor working in a coastal or high-wind market knows the conversation. Homeowners want better protection against extreme weather, but they are concerned about the upfront cost of an upgraded roof. The solution is no longer just a pitch about durability; it is a conversation about immediate financial incentives.
Through the IBHS FORTIFIED program, homeowners in vulnerable regions can access significant state grants and substantial insurance premium discounts to help offset the cost of a stronger roof. However, securing these incentives requires strict adherence to the FORTIFIED construction standard, which means roofing contractors must select materials approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems. As an approval-ready roofing system company, Epilay provides the underlayment solutions required to meet these rigorous standards while delivering the walkability and strength contractors need on the jobsite.
What is a FORTIFIED Roof?
The FORTIFIED Roof program is a voluntary construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It is designed to strengthen homes against severe weather, including high winds, hail, and hurricanes.
A FORTIFIED roof goes beyond standard building codes by requiring specific installation methods and materials. This includes enhanced roof deck attachment, sealed roof decks to prevent water intrusion if shingles blow off, and locked-down roof edges. For roofing contractors, installing a FORTIFIED roof means adhering to a precise system where every component, from the fasteners to the underlayment, must meet strict criteria. Epilay products support this system-first narrative by offering underlayments that align perfectly with FORTIFIED requirements.
State Grant Programs That Help Pay for It
To encourage homeowners to adopt these stronger building standards, several states in high-wind and coastal regions have introduced grant programs that help cover the cost of a FORTIFIED roof upgrade. These programs are typically administered through state insurance departments or dedicated mitigation agencies, and they provide financial assistance to qualifying homeowners who upgrade their roofs to the FORTIFIED standard.
States including Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina have all established programs of this kind. Grant availability, eligibility requirements, and award amounts vary by state and can change based on available funding and legislative cycles. Roofing contractors who stay informed about these programs can present them as a meaningful financial tool when discussing roof upgrades with homeowners.
To find the most current program details and eligibility requirements for your state, visit fortifiedhome.org/incentives or contact your state’s department of insurance directly.
When homeowners utilize these grants, the roofing system must pass a strict evaluation. Epilay underlayments are approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems, ensuring that roofing contractors can install with confidence and homeowners can pursue their funding without material-related delays.
Insurance Discounts for FORTIFIED Homes
Beyond state grants, a FORTIFIED roof can provide long-term financial relief through significant insurance premium discounts. In many coastal and high-wind states, legislation mandates that insurance companies offer premium reductions for homes that achieve a FORTIFIED designation.
Depending on the state and the insurance provider, discounts on the wind portion of a homeowner’s premium can be as high as 55 percent. For example, homeowners in Mississippi and South Carolina have seen savings exceeding 50 percent on their wind premiums after upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof. These ongoing savings make the initial investment in a stronger roof highly attractive. Roofing contractors who educate their clients on these discounts, while utilizing trusted, approval-ready materials like Epilay, position themselves as valuable consultants rather than just service providers.
What Materials Qualify for a FORTIFIED Roof?
A FORTIFIED roof is only as strong as the materials used to build it. The IBHS standard requires that all components, particularly the sealed roof deck layer, meet specific performance criteria. Roofing contractors cannot simply use any underlayment; they must choose products explicitly approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems.
Epilay is built for this exact requirement. Approvals are the hook, and FORTIFIED compatibility is the wedge that allows roofing contractors to win these specialized jobs. Epilay’s full lineup of synthetic underlayments, both mechanically fastened and self-adhered, is approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems. The only product line that falls outside this is ProtecKote, the roof and deck coating.
Mechanically Fastened:
- ProtecTite Platinum: The heavy-duty choice for demanding commercial jobs, 17-mil with exceptional tear strength and walkability.
- ProtecTite Ultra: High performance under metal, slate, and asphalt shingles where the spec cannot afford shortcuts.
- ProtecTite Superior: Lightweight without compromise, with reliable protection and built-in traction for steep-slope installs.
- ProtecTite Plasfelt: The synthetic upgrade over traditional felt, 25 times stronger with zero moisture absorption.
- Shingle Pro: The contractor-friendly everyday option that keeps residential shingle jobs moving without sacrificing approvals.
Self-Adhered Peel and Stick:
- Epistik Plus: Premium heavy-duty peel and stick with SBS Modified Bitumen adhesive that holds from -40°F to 260°F.
- Epistik SA-250: A 50-mil self-adhered underlayment with steep-slope walkability built for shingles, tiles, shakes, and metal.
- Epistik I&W: Granulated fiberglass-reinforced at 55 mils, with ice dam protection and high-temp performance for the toughest climates.
- EpiStrip Starter Roll: A self-adhered granulated starter strip that eliminates the need to cut shingle tabs, seals around fasteners, and locks down the roof edge against wind uplift.
Walkability and strength are the proof on the roof. Epilay’s GripWalk and Skid-Resist technologies ensure that roofing contractors have the traction and stability they need during installation, bridging the gap between stringent approvals and jobsite reality.
How to Talk to Your Contractor
For homeowners, navigating a FORTIFIED roof installation requires working with the right professionals. When discussing a roof replacement, homeowners should ask their roofing contractors specific questions to ensure the project meets all necessary standards.
Homeowners should verify whether the contractor has experience with FORTIFIED installations and whether they use materials approved for the system. Specifically, asking if the contractor utilizes FORTIFIED-approved underlayments, such as those offered by Epilay, ensures that the critical sealed roof deck requirement will be met with high-quality, reliable materials.
Choosing Materials That Meet the Job
Selecting the right materials is about more than just passing an inspection; it is about ensuring the long-term integrity of the roofing system. Roofing contractors must choose materials that align with project-specific approvals to avoid costly delays or complications during the FORTIFIED evaluation process.
Epilay products support the system. By offering a comprehensive lineup of synthetic underlayments approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems, Epilay ensures that roofing contractors have the right solution for every application and region. Whether the job requires the extreme durability of ProtecTite Platinum or the everyday reliability of Shingle Pro, Epilay provides the foundation for a successful, approval-ready roof build.
Explore Approval-Ready Roofing Solutions
Understanding FORTIFIED grants and insurance discounts is the first step toward building a stronger, more resilient home. For roofing contractors, utilizing the right materials is the key to delivering on that promise.
Visit epilay.com to explore our full range of synthetic underlayments approved for use in FORTIFIED roof systems and find the right solution for your next project.
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