FORTIFIED Roof™ Protection for Durham Homeowners
Durham homeowners are protecting their homes—and saving on insurance—with FORTIFIED Roof™ upgrades. K&D Roofing is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED evaluators and installers. From historic bungalows in Trinity Park to modern homes near Southpoint, we bring hurricane-level protection to every Durham roof we install.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Durham:
Duke Park, Brightleaf, Trinity Park, Hope Valley, Southpoint, Woodcroft
Zip Codes:
27701, 27703, 27704, 27705, 27707
Calculate Your FORTIFIED ROI
See how much you could save with FORTIFIED certification in Durham. Adjust the sliders below to match your situation and see your personalized payback period and long-term savings.
🏠 Your Roof Details
💰 Your Savings
Cost vs. Savings Over Time
🛡️ Why FORTIFIED?
- 💨Wind resistance up to 130+ mph — built to withstand hurricane-force winds and severe storms
- 🌧️Sealed roof deck prevents water intrusion — even if shingles blow off, your home stays dry
- 🏡Transferable to new homeowners — adds resale value (3-7% potential increase) and makes your home more attractive to buyers
- 📋Required by some NC insurers for best rates — lock in the lowest premiums available in North Carolina
What is FORTIFIED Roof™?
Scientifically Proven
FORTIFIED is a designation from IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety)—a nonprofit that scientifically tests building methods. Not a brand, but a construction standard backed by research.
Hurricane-Level Protection
FORTIFIED roofs are engineered to withstand 130+ mph winds through sealed decks, ring-shank nails (4x holding power), and reinforced edges. Far exceeds building code minimums.
Insurance Savings
NC homeowners with FORTIFIED certification save $500–$1,500+ per year on insurance. Most recover the upgrade cost in 2–4 years, then pocket the savings for decades.
Three FORTIFIED Levels
FORTIFIED Roof
Roof only. Best ROI when re-roofing. Typical upgrade: $3,500–$6,500.
FORTIFIED Silver
Roof + gable ends. More expensive. Usually done during new construction.
FORTIFIED Gold
Roof + gables + openings. Full home protection. Highest cost.
Why Durham Needs FORTIFIED
Durham experiences severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and increasing hurricane impacts. Standard roofs often fail at edges and corners during high winds. FORTIFIED roofs use reinforced drip edge and ring-shank nails to prevent blow-offs, plus a sealed deck that stops wind-driven rain from penetrating your home.
What Makes a Roof FORTIFIED?
1. Sealed Roof Deck
We install peel-and-stick underlayment across your entire roof deck—not just valleys. This creates a waterproof barrier that prevents wind-driven rain from penetrating your home during storms.
- ✓100% deck coverage (code requires 10%)
- ✓Prevents water intrusion if shingles blow off
- ✓Inspected by evaluator BEFORE shingling
2. Ring-Shank Nails
Ring-shank nails have ridges that grip like threads—providing 4x the holding power of smooth-shank nails. This prevents shingles from blowing off during high winds.
- ✓4x holding power vs. standard nails
- ✓Prevents shingle blow-offs in high winds
- ✓Required for GAF WindProven™ ratings
3. Reinforced Drip Edge
FORTIFIED requires metal drip edge installed OVER the sealed deck at eaves and UNDER at rakes. This reinforces the roof's most vulnerable points where blow-offs typically start.
- ✓Prevents edge blow-offs (where failures start)
- ✓Proper installation sequence verified
- ✓Extends roof lifespan by protecting edges
4. Evaluator Inspection
A certified FORTIFIED Evaluator (Todd Kennedy) inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling. This ensures quality you can't see after the roof is complete—unlike standard roofing.
- ✓Independent quality verification
- ✓Photo documentation uploaded to IBHS
- ✓Certificate issued after final inspection
Why Choose K&D for FORTIFIED in Durham
K&D owner Todd Kennedy is a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator who passed IBHS's rigorous certification program. We manage the entire FORTIFIED process for Durham homeowners: project registration in FOCUS 2.5, sealed deck installation, pre-shingle inspection, and final certification. Most Durham homeowners recover the FORTIFIED upgrade cost in 2–4 years through insurance savings, then continue saving for the life of the roof.
Certified Evaluator
Todd Kennedy passed IBHS's rigorous FORTIFIED Evaluator exam—one of the few in NC.
GAF Master Elite
Top 2% of roofing contractors nationwide. Access to premium warranties and materials.
Full-Service
We handle FOCUS 2.5 registration, inspections, and certification. You handle nothing.
The FORTIFIED Process
Step 1: Free Inspection & Quote
We inspect your Durham roof, explain FORTIFIED benefits, and provide a detailed quote. No pressure, just honest information.
Step 2: Project Registration
We register your project in IBHS's FOCUS 2.5 system and handle all paperwork. You don't lift a finger.
Step 3: Sealed Deck Installation
Our crew installs peel-and-stick underlayment across 100% of your roof deck, ring-shank nails, and reinforced drip edge.
Step 4: Evaluator Inspection (Pre-Shingle)
Todd Kennedy inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling. Photos are uploaded to IBHS for verification. This is the quality control step standard roofs skip.
Step 5: Shingle Installation
Once the sealed deck passes inspection, we install GAF Timberline HDZ shingles (or your material of choice) using ring-shank nails throughout.
Step 6: Final Certification
After final inspection, IBHS issues your FORTIFIED certificate. You submit this to your insurance company for immediate discounts.
Your K&D FORTIFIED Team in Durham
Todd Kennedy is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluators. Our team has installed dozens of FORTIFIED roofs across Durham and the Triangle.
Todd Kennedy
Owner / FORTIFIED Evaluator
IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluator serving Durham
Robert Copp
Team Lead
Expert FORTIFIED installations in Durham
Isaac Klick
Team Lead
Quality control for Durham FORTIFIED projects
Adam Curtis
Project Manager
Managing every Durham FORTIFIED project
Dayani
Office Administrator
Coordinating your Durham FORTIFIED project
FORTIFIED FAQs — Durham
What is a FORTIFIED Roof™?
FORTIFIED Roof is a scientifically proven designation from IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) that certifies your roof can withstand hurricanes, high winds, and severe storms. It uses sealed roof decks, ring-shank nails, and reinforced edges—far exceeding Durham building code minimums.
Does FORTIFIED qualify for insurance discounts in Durham?
Yes. Durham homeowners with FORTIFIED Roof certification typically save $500–$1,500+ per year on homeowners insurance. Many NC insurers offer 20–40% discounts on wind/hail coverage. Contact your agent with your FORTIFIED certificate to claim savings.
How much does FORTIFIED cost in Durham?
FORTIFIED upgrades add $3,500–$6,500 to a standard roof replacement in Durham. Most homeowners recover this cost in 2–4 years through insurance discounts, making FORTIFIED a smart investment that pays for itself.
What's the difference between FORTIFIED Roof and regular roofing?
Standard roofs meet code. FORTIFIED roofs exceed code with sealed decks (peel-and-stick underlayment), ring-shank nails (4x stronger), and reinforced edges. A certified FORTIFIED Evaluator inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling—quality assurance you can't get with standard roofing.
Can K&D install FORTIFIED roofs on historic homes in Durham?
Absolutely. We've installed FORTIFIED roofs on historic homes in Trinity Park and Duke Park. FORTIFIED methods work with any architectural style and often qualify for preservation tax credits when combined with other upgrades.
What is the FOCUS 2.5 system?
FOCUS 2.5 is IBHS's online project registration and tracking system. K&D registers your Durham project, uploads documentation, schedules the evaluator inspection, and manages certification—all at no extra charge.
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