What Is the IBHS Fortified Roof Program?
The IBHS Fortified Home program is a voluntary construction and re-roofing standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). A Fortified designation means your roof has been built or upgraded to withstand the specific wind and weather risks in your region — in coastal NC, that means hurricane-force winds, wind-driven rain, and storm surge conditions.
Want the full details? Visit our FORTIFIED Roof Program page to learn about program levels, insurance savings, and how to apply for a FORTIFIED roof grant.
There are three Fortified designation levels:
- Fortified Roof — Roof-specific upgrade (most common for re-roofs)
- Fortified Silver — Roof + windows/doors
- Fortified Gold — Whole-home designation
For most Wilmington-area homeowners, a Fortified Roof is the most practical and cost-effective starting point.
How Much Can You Save on Insurance in NC?
North Carolina sits squarely in Atlantic hurricane territory. Since Hurricane Florence in 2018 and Dorian in 2019, coastal homeowners have faced sharply rising insurance premiums — and some insurers have stopped writing new policies in coastal areas entirely.
A Fortified Roof designation gives NC homeowners leverage. Many major insurers active in NC — including State Farm, Nationwide, and others — offer premium discounts for Fortified-designated homes. Discounts vary by insurer and location, but coastal NC homeowners have reported savings of 20-40% annually on their homeowner’s insurance premium.
What Makes a Roof “Fortified”?
Breeze Roofing builds Fortified Roofs to IBHS standards, which include:
- Sealed roof deck (secondary water barrier)
- Enhanced roof-to-wall connections
- Hurricane-rated shingles or metal roofing
- Proper drip edge installation
- Fortified-rated underlayment
We Handle the Certification Paperwork
Once the roof is complete, IBHS-certified inspectors verify the installation. Breeze Roofing coordinates this process and handles the documentation needed to register your designation with IBHS and provide proof to your insurer.
The Bottom Line
A Fortified Roof costs somewhat more than a standard installation — typically 10-20% more. But when you factor in the insurance savings over 10-20 years, most homeowners find it pays for itself. And you get a better roof.
Ready to get started? Request a free estimate or call (910) 665-5277.
Areas We Serve
Breeze Roofing provides IBHS FORTIFIED roofing throughout Wilmington and the greater Cape Fear coast: Wilmington · Hampstead · Leland · Carolina Beach · Wrightsville Beach · Southport · Topsail Island · Surf City.
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Request a Free Estimate
Ready to get started? Request a free estimate or call (910) 665-5277 to speak with our team about your fortified roofing project.