FORTIFIED Roof™ Protection for Wake Forest Homeowners
Wake Forest homeowners are choosing FORTIFIED Roof™ for hurricane-level protection and substantial insurance savings. K&D Roofing is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED evaluators and installers. From historic homes downtown to new construction in Heritage and The Reserve, we bring scientifically proven storm protection to every Wake Forest roof.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Wake Forest:
Heritage, The Reserve, Holding Village, Traditions, Falls River, Northridge
Zip Codes:
27587, 27588
Calculate Your FORTIFIED ROI
See how much you could save with FORTIFIED certification in Wake Forest. 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 Forest Needs FORTIFIED
Wake Forest experiences severe thunderstorms, high winds, and increasing hurricane impacts. Standard roofs often fail during severe weather, leading to costly interior damage. FORTIFIED roofs use sealed decks to prevent water intrusion and reinforced edges to stop blow-offs—protection that standard roofs can't match.
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 Forest
K&D owner Todd Kennedy is a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator trained by IBHS. We manage the entire FORTIFIED process for Wake Forest homeowners: project registration, sealed deck installation, evaluator inspection, and final certification. Wake Forest homeowners typically save $600–$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 Forest 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 Forest
Todd Kennedy is one of the Triangle's only IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluators. Our team has installed dozens of FORTIFIED roofs across Wake Forest and the Triangle.

Todd Kennedy
Owner / FORTIFIED Evaluator
IBHS-certified FORTIFIED Evaluator serving Wake Forest

Robert Copp
Team Lead
Expert FORTIFIED installations in Wake Forest

Isaac Klick
Team Lead
Quality control for Wake Forest FORTIFIED projects

Adam Curtis
Project Manager
Managing every Wake Forest FORTIFIED project

Dayani
Office Administrator
Coordinating your Wake Forest FORTIFIED project
FORTIFIED FAQs — Wake Forest
What is a FORTIFIED Roof™?
FORTIFIED Roof is an IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) designation certifying your roof meets hurricane-level standards. It includes sealed roof decks, ring-shank nails, and reinforced edges—construction methods proven through scientific testing.
Does FORTIFIED qualify for insurance discounts in Wake Forest?
Yes. Wake Forest homeowners with FORTIFIED certification save $500–$1,500+ per year on homeowners insurance. NC insurers offer 20–40% discounts on wind/hail premiums for FORTIFIED homes.
How much does FORTIFIED cost in Wake Forest?
FORTIFIED upgrades add $3,500–$6,500 to a standard Wake Forest roof replacement. Most homeowners recover this cost in 2–4 years through insurance savings, making FORTIFIED a smart long-term investment.
What's the difference between FORTIFIED Roof and regular roofing in Wake Forest?
Standard roofs meet minimum code. FORTIFIED roofs exceed code with sealed decks (peel-and-stick underlayment), ring-shank nails (4x holding power), and reinforced drip edge. A certified evaluator inspects the sealed deck BEFORE shingling—quality assurance unavailable with standard roofing.
Do Wake Forest HOAs approve FORTIFIED roofs?
Yes. FORTIFIED uses standard shingle colors and styles that meet HOA requirements. Many Wake Forest HOAs encourage FORTIFIED because it reduces storm damage and enhances property values.
What is the FOCUS 2.5 system?
FOCUS 2.5 is IBHS's project registration system. K&D registers your Wake Forest project, uploads documentation, schedules evaluator inspections, and manages certification—all included in your FORTIFIED upgrade.
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