FORTIFIED roofing for Louisiana homes

What changes in a FORTIFIED roof?

The IBHS standard addresses the roof as a system: deck attachment, a sealed roof deck, roof-edge details, and roof-cover and vent performance. The specific assembly depends on the home, roof type, applicable code and product instructions.

IBHS says the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard applies to projects permitted on or after November 1, 2025. Use the current technical documents with the qualified contractor and evaluator to establish the required details.

Plan the evaluation before installation

Documentation must capture required components while they are visible. An evaluator needs to be part of the plan before the crew covers the roof deck or other critical details.

• Have a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator assess the home and the applicable pathway.
• Verify the contractor’s current FORTIFIED qualifications; a grant program may have its own approved-provider list.
• Put installation details, evaluator coordination, photographs and any inspection stages in the written scope.
• The evaluator submits evidence to IBHS. IBHS reviews the file and issues the designation when requirements are met.
• Keep the designation, local permit records, product details and warranties together.

Know which document proves what

A local permit, manufacturer warranty and IBHS designation serve different purposes. A Class 4 shingle rating alone does not establish a FORTIFIED designation. The optional Hail Supplement has additional product requirements.

A FORTIFIED designation generally lasts five years. Renewal follows the applicable evaluator review; retain the certificate and plan for that review when maintaining or selling the property.

Budget for the whole process

Compare the roof construction, required upgrades, independent evaluation, permits and potential deck repairs as separate items. Grant awards and insurance benefits should not be subtracted from a quote until eligibility and terms are confirmed.

If pursuing Louisiana Fortify Homes funding, follow its selection and approval sequence before arranging providers or starting work. For a self-funded project, an evaluator is still required to pursue designation.

• Use the funding guide to check application status and eligibility.
• Ask the insurer for written coverage and any premium effect.
• Confirm current provider status in the official directory before contracting for designated work.

Ask for a verifiable installation plan

Ask who the independent evaluator will be, which standard details apply to the roof and what proof you will receive after submission. Confirm the current qualifications of the proposed installer before representing a project as eligible. This guide does not establish SCS’s listing or approval in any FORTIFIED or grant-provider directory.