FORTIFIED Roof™ Protection for Raleigh Homeowners
Raleigh homeowners are discovering FORTIFIED Roof™—the scientifically proven way to protect your home from hurricanes, high winds, and severe storms. K&D Roofing is one of the only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED evaluators and installers in the Triangle. When you upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof in Raleigh, you're not just getting a new roof—you're getting hurricane-level protection AND $500–$1,500+ annual insurance savings.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Raleigh:
North Hills, Downtown, Brier Creek, Falls Lake, Midtown, Wakefield
Zip Codes:
27601, 27604, 27606, 27607, 27609, 27612, 27615
Calculate Your FORTIFIED ROI
See how much you could save with FORTIFIED certification in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh Needs FORTIFIED
Raleigh sits in a high-wind zone with increasing severe storm frequency. Hurricane Florence (2018), Hurricane Matthew (2016), and severe thunderstorms regularly cause roof damage across the Triangle. FORTIFIED roofs are engineered to withstand 130+ mph winds—far beyond standard roofing. The sealed deck prevents wind-driven rain intrusion, and reinforced edges stop blow-offs before they start.
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 Raleigh
K&D Roofing owner Todd Kennedy is a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator—one of the few in North Carolina who passed the rigorous IBHS certification exam. We've installed dozens of FORTIFIED roofs in Raleigh and across the Triangle. We handle the entire FORTIFIED process: FOCUS 2.5 system registration, sealed deck installation, evaluator inspection BEFORE shingling, and final certification. Most Raleigh homeowners see $800–$1,200/year insurance discounts—meaning FORTIFIED pays for itself in 2–4 years.
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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Todd Kennedy is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluators. Our team has installed dozens of FORTIFIED roofs across Raleigh and the Triangle.
Todd Kennedy
Owner / FORTIFIED Evaluator
IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluator serving Raleigh
Robert Copp
Team Lead
Expert FORTIFIED installations in Raleigh
Isaac Klick
Team Lead
Quality control for Raleigh FORTIFIED projects
Adam Curtis
Project Manager
Managing every Raleigh FORTIFIED project
Dayani
Office Administrator
Coordinating your Raleigh FORTIFIED project
FORTIFIED FAQs — Raleigh
What is a FORTIFIED Roof™?
FORTIFIED Roof is a designation from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)—a nonprofit research organization that scientifically tests building methods. A FORTIFIED roof is engineered to survive hurricanes, high winds, and severe storms through sealed roof decks, ring-shank nails, and reinforced edges. It's not a brand—it's a construction standard backed by science.
Does FORTIFIED qualify for insurance discounts in Raleigh?
Yes. North Carolina homeowners with FORTIFIED Roof designation typically save $500–$1,500+ per year on homeowners insurance. Many insurers offer 20–40% discounts on wind/hail premiums. Contact your insurance agent with your FORTIFIED certificate to claim your discount.
How much does FORTIFIED cost in Raleigh?
FORTIFIED upgrades typically add $3,500–$6,500 to a standard roof replacement, depending on roof size and complexity. For most Raleigh homes, this cost is recovered in 2–4 years through insurance savings. After that, you pocket the savings while enjoying hurricane-level protection.
What's the difference between FORTIFIED Roof and regular roofing in Raleigh?
Standard roofs meet building code minimums. FORTIFIED roofs exceed code with: (1) sealed roof deck using peel-and-stick underlayment, (2) ring-shank nails with 4x holding power, (3) reinforced drip edge to prevent blow-offs. A FORTIFIED Evaluator inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling—ensuring quality you can't see after completion.
What are the three FORTIFIED levels?
FORTIFIED Roof (roof only), FORTIFIED Silver (roof + gables), and FORTIFIED Gold (roof + gables + windows/doors). Most homeowners choose FORTIFIED Roof during re-roofing since it provides the best ROI. Upgrading gables and openings is more expensive and typically done during new construction.
Can I add FORTIFIED to my existing Raleigh roof?
No. FORTIFIED requires a sealed deck, which can only be installed during a full roof replacement. If you're planning to re-roof in Raleigh, now is the perfect time to upgrade to FORTIFIED for a fraction more than a standard roof.
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