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Fortified Roof™ System-Ready Roofing Materials | Owens Corning Roofing
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Your Roof Works Better
When It Works Together

At Owens Corning, we’ve always believed that a roofing system should be more than just the sum of its parts—it should be a fully integrated solution.

That’s why we’re proud to share that many of our trusted products already meet the rigorous standards of the FORTIFIED Roof™ program.*  Whether you're a homeowner seeking peace of mind or a contractor looking to deliver certified resilience, our materials are designed to help you build strong, safe, and resilient roofs.


*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.

What Is a Fortified Roof™ Designation?

Built for Resilience. Backed by Standards.

A FORTIFIED Roof™ is more than just a layer of shingles—it's a roofing system built to help protect your home against severe weather. Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the FORTIFIED Roof™ designation is the first and most essential level of the FORTIFIED Home™ program and is focused on areas vulnerable to storm damage.*

Whether you're in a coastal hurricane zone or an area prone to strong storms, a FORTIFIED Roof™ can offer protection that starts at the top of your home.

FORTIFIED Roof Logo

Why Choose a Fortified Roof™?

A Fortified Roof designation offers more than just peace of mind—it delivers real, measurable value. 
Here’s why homeowners and contractors alike are taking the extra steps:

Icon of wind blowing against a roof

Enhanced Storm Resilience

Fortified-designated roofs are designed with added layers of protection that help reduce the risk of damage from high winds and heavy rain.

Icon with dollar sign and arrow pointing down

Potential Insurance Incentives

Some insurance providers may offer discounts or incentives for homes with a Fortified Roof designation—check with your provider for eligibility.

Icon of an eyeball

Added Home Appeal

A Fortified designation can be an attractive feature for future buyers, signaling a commitment to quality and resilience.

Icon of a family inside a heart

Peace of Mind

Knowing your roof is built to meet a recognized standard, backed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), can offer added peace of mind during storm season.

Icon of hand holding a house

Long-Term Value

Using durable, high-performing materials may help reduce the need for frequent repairs and extend the life of your roofing system.

THE FORTIFIED ROOF™ PROGRAM
EMPHASIZES roof protection in critical areas:

STRONG ROOF EDGES

The roof edge is one of the most vulnerable areas during high winds. When wind lifts at this point, it can start a chain reaction that compromises the entire roof. To help guard against this, the FORTIFIED Roof™ standard includes specific enhancements—like a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip. These components work together to create a more secure edge, and when paired with Owens Corning roofing products, they become part of a complete system designed to help your roof stand strong when it matters most.

Starter strip being nailed to the roof edge over Weatherlock Specialty Tile & Metal.

SEALED ROOF DECK

If shingles or other roofing materials are torn away during a storm, the wood decking underneath can be left exposed—creating a path for water to enter your home. The FORTIFIED Roof™ standard helps address this risk by requiring the roof deck to be sealed. This added layer of protection is designed to help block water from seeping through the gaps between roof sheathing, reducing the chance of costly interior damage and helping your home stay dry—even when the outer layer is compromised.

Weatherlock underlayment being unrolled on a roof deck.

Applicable Underlayment Products

Filter

Seal.

Strong Roof Deck Attachment

& Applicable Shingles

When it comes to helping protect your home from high winds, how your roof is fastened matters. The FORTIFIED Roof™ standard upgrades traditional smooth nails to ring-shank nails, which are installed in a specific pattern to help hold the roof deck securely in place. This enhanced attachment method is designed to improve your roof’s resistance to wind uplift—helping your roofing system stay put when storms roll in.

With Owens Corning® Duration® Series shingles, you get added protection. The patented SureNail® Technology, exclusively on Duration® Series shingles, creates a highly visible line that not only enables consistent, quality installation, it creates Triple Layer Protection® for industry-leading performance. We’re talking up to 9x better at resisting nail blow through and up to 2x better delamination resistance.* Plus, Duration Series shingles have strong high wind performance with up to 2.5x better nail pull-through resistance.*

Learn more about Nailing Zone Performance

Duration Shingles being nailed to a roof deck with a yellow dewalt nail gun.
* Owens Corning testing against competing shingles with a wide single-layer nailing zone when following the manufacturer’s installation instructions and nailed through the middle of the allowable nail zone.


BALANCED Ventilation THAT HELPS PROTECT FROM WATER INTRUSION

Proper attic ventilation is a critical component of any roof. For an efficient roofing system, it’s essential that the attic stay dry and cool. A balanced system helps regulate temperature and moisture levels in your attic and is designed not only for comfort and efficiency, but for resilience.

Under the FORTIFIED Roof™ program, attic vents must be designed and installed to resist water intrusion and wind-driven rain. Ridge and off-ridge vents must be TAS 100(A) rated and anchored to the roof using the manufacturer installation instructions. The Owens Corning® VentSure® Balanced Air Ventilation System features a wide variety of intake and exhaust solutions as well as active and passive ventilation options. Below are the applicable VentSure® products.

Diagram of VentSure Ridge Vent showing air flowing through the attic and protecting from rain intrusion.

Added Protection in Hail-Prone Areas

If you live in a region where hail is common, the FORTIFIED Roof™ program offers an optional Hail Supplement for added protection.* To qualify, your roof must use impact-resistant shingles.

Shingles must earn a Good or Excellent rating from the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings, which go beyond traditional Class 4 standards. These shingles are tested against simulated hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter.

At Owens Corning, we offer shingles that meet these high performance standards.**

**Owens Corning TruDefinition® Duration STORM® and TruDefinition® Duration FLEX® shingles are tested in a laboratory setting and classified as a UL 2218 and FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant shingle. The results of this test do not guarantee that the shingle will resist all weather conditions. Hail damage is specifically excluded from coverage under the terms of its warranty.

Get Started

Find a Trusted Roofing Contractor

A stronger, safer roof starts with the right contractor. When you're ready to upgrade to a FORTIFIED Roof™, make sure your contractor is trained and experienced in meeting the program’s rigorous standards.

Get connected with a professional in the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network. These contractors are vetted, experienced, and knowledgeable about installing roofing systems that align with the FORTIFIED Roof™ program.

Ask the Right Questions

When speaking with your contractor, ask:

  • Are you familiar with the FORTIFIED Roof™ program, and have you installed roofs that meet its requirements?
  • Can you help me apply for a FORTIFIED designation?
  • Which Owens Corning products do you recommend for my home?
Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor shaking a homeowner's hand.

The Right Roofing Products
for Your FORTIFIED Home™ Designation

A FORTIFIED designation of any type has a FORTIFIED Roof designation at a minimum. There are three levels of designations (Roof, Silver, and Gold) in each of the following FORTIFIED Home™ designation categories: Hurricane, High Wind, Hurricane + Hail, and High Wind + Hail.*

If you're looking to go beyond roof upgrades, you can pursue a FORTIFIED Silver™ or FORTIFIED Gold™ designation. These advanced levels include additional improvements to areas like windows, doors, and the overall structure of your home. To learn more about what's included and how to qualify, visit the official FORTIFIED Home™ website.

FORTIFIED Home™ Hurricane*

This designation is designed to help reduce the risk of damage from hurricanes. It’s ideal for homeowners in coastal areas looking to strengthen their home’s resilience.

*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.
1 Product must be set in a bed of ASTM D4586 roof cement.
2 Drip edge should be primed with an ASTM D41 compliant primer prior to installation of the Starter Shingle Roll.
3 ImpactRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles are required to complete UL 2218 and/or FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roof System. Due to the variability in real storm conditions, a Class Rating on any product does not guarantee that it will withstand damage from hailstorms or other acts of God. Owens Corning shingles are not covered under a warranty for hail damage.
4 Products listed are compliant for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED™ designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard and documentation requirements at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents for details.

FORTIFIED Home™ High Wind*

Developed for regions prone to strong straight-line winds and tornadoes, this designation includes upgrades that may help a home better withstand high wind events.

*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.
1 Product must be set in a bed of ASTM D4586 roof cement.
2 Drip edge should be primed with an ASTM D41 compliant primer prior to installation of the Starter Shingle Roll.
3 ImpactRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles are required to complete UL 2218 and/or FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roof System. Due to the variability in real storm conditions, a Class Rating on any product does not guarantee that it will withstand damage from hailstorms or other acts of God. Owens Corning shingles are not covered under a warranty for hail damage.
4 Products listed are compliant for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED™ designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard and documentation requirements at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents for details.

FORTIFIED Home™ Hurricane + Hail*

Combining features from both hurricane and hail protection standards, this designation is intended for areas where both threats are common. It includes enhancements that address wind resistance and impact from hail.

*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.
1 Product must be set in a bed of ASTM D4586 roof cement.
2 Drip edge should be primed with an ASTM D41 compliant primer prior to installation of the Starter Shingle Roll.
3 ImpactRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles are tested in a laboratory setting and classified as a UL 2218 and FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant shingle. The results of this test do not guarantee that the shingle will resist all weather conditions. Hail damage is specifically excluded from coverage under the terms of its warranty.
4 Products listed are compliant for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED™ designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard and documentation requirements at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents for details.

FORTIFIED Home™ High Wind + Hail*

This designation is tailored for inland regions that experience both high winds and hail. It includes construction practices that aim to improve a home’s durability against these types of weather events.

*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.
1 Product must be set in a bed of ASTM D4586 roof cement.
2 Drip edge should be primed with an ASTM D41 compliant primer prior to installation of the Starter Shingle Roll.
3 ImpactRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles are tested in a laboratory setting and classified as a UL 2218 and FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant shingle. The results of this test do not guarantee that the shingle will resist all weather conditions. Hail damage is specifically excluded from coverage under the terms of its warranty.
4 Products listed are compliant for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED™ designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard and documentation requirements at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents for details.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS & HOME SAFETY (IBHS) FORTIFIED ROOF PROGRAM 

Everything you need to know about qualifying for a FORTIFIED Roof designation with Owens Corning roofing products.

FOR PROS

Ready to offer FORTIFIED Solutions to your homeowners?

The first step is to get certified. To become a certified service provider for the FORTIFIED Home program, complete the necessary requirements on their website.

Contractor using a nail gun to install Duration shingles.

RELATED ARTICLES

Ready to learn more? Explore related topics to the FORTIFIED Roof program, the Total Protection Roofing System, storms, and more! 

House diagram showing roof layers cut away to reveal underlayment

A System Approach to Qualifying for a FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation

Learn how to qualify for a FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation using applicable products from the Owens Corning® Total Protection Roofing System4

Read the Article
A house with layers of the roof cut away to reveal the product components that make up a roof.

The Anatomy of a Residential Roof

Learn about all the different components and layers that make up the anatomy of a roof.

Read the Article
House with a dark, stormy background

Asphalt Roofing Shingles & Wind Resistance

Learn how wind can damage a roof and how installing asphalt roofing shingles designed for wind resistance can minimize its effect.

Read the Article

FAQs

Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

Whether you're a homeowner exploring your options or a contractor looking to meet FORTIFIED standards, we’re here to help. Below are some of the most common questions about the FORTIFIED Roof™ program and how Owens Corning products fit in.

*The Fortified Roof program is independent of Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC and its affiliated companies. Owens Corning® shingles are not warranted for hail damage. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations, and requirements.
1 Product must be set in a bed of ASTM D4586 roof cement.
2 Drip edge should be primed with an ASTM D41 compliant primer prior to installation of the Starter Shingle Roll.
3 ImpactRidge® Hip & Ridge Shingles are required to complete UL 2218 and/or FM 4473 Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roof System. Due to the variability in real storm conditions, a Class Rating on any product does not guarantee that it will withstand damage from hailstorms or other acts of God. Owens Corning shingles are not covered under a warranty for hail damage.
4 Products listed are compliant for use as a component of a FORTIFIED-eligible roof system. Use of these products does not guarantee a FORTIFIED™ designation. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED designation, a complete roofing system (components and accessories) must meet the requirements detailed in the FORTIFIED Home™ Standard. Additional requirements, eligibility criteria and restrictions apply. See the current FORTIFIED Home standard and documentation requirements at https://fortifiedhome.org/technical-documents for details.


Contact Us

Even though we’re a global company, we’re always ready to answer your questions. Call to speak with an Owens Corning representative.