FORTIFIED Roof™ Protection for Wake County Homeowners
K&D Roofing serves all of Wake County with FORTIFIED Roof™ installation—the scientifically proven way to protect your home from hurricanes, high winds, and severe storms. As one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED evaluators and installers, we bring hurricane-level protection and $500–$1,500+ annual insurance savings to homeowners across Wake County.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Wake County:
Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon, Clayton, Willow Spring
Zip Codes:
27501, 27502, 27511, 27513, 27518, 27519, 27520, 27529, 27539, 27540, 27545, 27560, 27587, 27591, 27592, 27596, 27597, 27601, 27604, 27606, 27607, 27609, 27610, 27612, 27615
Calculate Your FORTIFIED ROI
See how much you could save with FORTIFIED certification in Wake County. 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 Wake County Needs FORTIFIED
Wake County experiences severe summer storms, high winds, occasional hail, and increasing hurricane impacts. Standard roofs often fail at edges and corners during severe weather. FORTIFIED roofs are engineered to withstand 130+ mph winds through sealed decks (preventing water intrusion), ring-shank nails (4x holding power), and reinforced edges (preventing blow-offs).
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 Wake County
K&D owner Todd Kennedy is a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator who passed IBHS's rigorous certification exam. We've installed over 100 FORTIFIED roofs across Wake County—from downtown Raleigh to rural areas near Willow Spring. We manage the entire FORTIFIED process: FOCUS 2.5 registration, sealed deck installation, evaluator inspection BEFORE shingling, and final certification. Wake County homeowners typically save $700–$1,300/year on insurance, recovering the FORTIFIED upgrade cost 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 Wake County 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 Wake County
Todd Kennedy is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluators. Our team has installed dozens of FORTIFIED roofs across Wake County and the Triangle.
Todd Kennedy
Owner / FORTIFIED Evaluator
IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluator serving Wake County
Robert Copp
Team Lead
Expert FORTIFIED installations in Wake County
Isaac Klick
Team Lead
Quality control for Wake County FORTIFIED projects
Adam Curtis
Project Manager
Managing every Wake County FORTIFIED project
Dayani
Office Administrator
Coordinating your Wake County FORTIFIED project
FORTIFIED FAQs — Wake County
What is a FORTIFIED Roof™?
FORTIFIED Roof is an IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) designation certifying your roof meets hurricane-level construction standards. It uses sealed roof decks, ring-shank nails (4x holding power), and reinforced edges—methods scientifically proven through testing to withstand hurricanes and severe storms.
Does FORTIFIED qualify for insurance discounts in Wake County?
Yes. Wake County homeowners with FORTIFIED certification save $500–$1,500+ per year on homeowners insurance. North Carolina insurers offer 20–40% discounts on wind/hail premiums for FORTIFIED homes. Contact your insurance agent with your FORTIFIED certificate to claim savings.
How much does FORTIFIED cost in Wake County?
FORTIFIED upgrades add $3,500–$6,500 to a standard Wake County roof replacement, depending on roof size and complexity. Most homeowners recover this cost in 2–4 years through insurance savings, then continue saving hundreds per year for the life of the roof.
What's the difference between FORTIFIED Roof and regular roofing in Wake County?
Standard roofs meet Wake County 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 certified FORTIFIED Evaluator inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling—quality assurance you can't get with standard roofing.
What are the three FORTIFIED levels?
FORTIFIED Roof (roof only), FORTIFIED Silver (roof + gables), FORTIFIED Gold (roof + gables + openings). Most Wake County homeowners choose FORTIFIED Roof during re-roofing since it provides the best return on investment. Upgrading gables and openings is more expensive and typically done during new construction.
Can I add FORTIFIED to my existing Wake County roof?
No. FORTIFIED requires a sealed deck, which can only be installed during a full roof replacement. If you're planning to re-roof anywhere in Wake County, now is the perfect time to upgrade to FORTIFIED for a fraction more than a standard roof.
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