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Qualify for a FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation | Owens Corning Roofing
Roof image with layers of the roof cut away to show the products underneath the shingles

The Total Protection Roofing System®: A Guide Designed to Help Qualify for a FORTIFIED Roof™

Written By Owens Corning Roofing•Date Published 2025-07-15

Your roof needs to do more than look beautiful. It must withstand temperature and humidity changes, repeated exposure to UV rays, and outside elements.

Owens Corning developed its Total Protection Roofing System® to help protect your home and its contents from the elements. Each component of the Total Protection Roofing System®^ performs a specific function that helps create a strong system of protection for the whole roof.

The Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System®^ can help you achieve a FORTIFIED Roof™ designation for your home. This certification from the Insurance Institute for Home and Business Safety (IBHS) means your home is designed for advanced protection. A FORTIFIED Roof™ designation may also qualify you for a discount on your homeowners' insurance. Consult your insurance agent for more information.

Understanding the Total Protection Roofing System®

If you ask a friend or neighbor about the parts of a residential roof, they might mention asphalt shingles and wood decking. And while these elements may be the most obvious, they’re just a part of the total package.

It takes much more than shingles and wood to create a watertight structure. You need specialized roofing products, like underlayment, ventilation, and hip and ridge shingles. You need expert installation techniques and durable hardware. And everything must work together seamlessly.

The Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System®^ helps provide protection for your home in three critical areas: SEAL. DEFEND. BREATHE.®

House with layers of the roof cut away to show the layers of system components in the Total Protection Roofing System.

SEAL

Water is the enemy of wood. Excess moisture can cause your roof deck to warp, decay, and become structurally unsound. Since water can infiltrate the tiniest of cracks, barriers underneath your shingles are necessary to help protect the roof deck. Combining the following sealing products gives you lines of defense against moisture.

  • Ice and water barriers, also known as self-adhered underlayments, help create a water resistant layer in places where water often gathers. They are typically applied in valleys, along eaves, and around penetrations like chimneys. You can also use them over the entire roof deck to create a single waterproof layer if you desire.
  • Synthetic Underlayments help shed water that may creep under shingles during heavy rains. They provide a secondary barrier over the roof deck and a slip-resistant surface for installers.

DEFEND

Your shingles handle the heavy work of all four seasons, designed to help protect against wind, rain, and storm debris. Owens Corning® Duration® series shingles have a triple-layer nailing zone strip to guide installers and firmly grip fasteners. This SureNail® Technology helps protect against shingle blow-through, pull-through, and delamination, designed to provide an outstanding sealant bond strength.

Shingles also provide the aesthetic beauty of your roof. Architectural asphalt shingles from Owens Corning have expertly blended colors and captivating shadow lines. The portfolio of color options provides extraordinary choices to coordinate any roof into the overall exterior design. (View our Shingle Gallery)

Some areas of the roof are more vulnerable to wind and water. To best protect your home, these areas need special shingles. Owens Corning offers starter, and hip and ridge shingles in its Total Protection Roofing System®^. These shingles not only give your roof a beautiful, finished look, but they also help provide protection.

BREATHE

The ventilation part of a roofing system is a critical but often overlooked component. A network of intake and exhaust vents ensures balanced airflow throughout the attic spaces, thereby regulating moisture and temperatures.

Your contractor can help you choose the right vent products. They will also verify you have enough ventilation for your roof's size and shape.

See a full list of Owens Corning products that qualify to be used for a FORTIFIED™ Roof Designation.

Specialized Total Protection Roofing System® Training for Roofing Contractors

Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network members have access to specialized training on its Total Protection Roofing System®^. These contractors can help you finalize your product choices to customize your roof to your preferences, budget, and climate-specific performance needs, such as Duration STORM® or Duration FLEX® shingles. They also know best-practice installation techniques for every component.

To locate a contractor trained to install the Total Protection Roofing System®^, use the Owens Corning Find a Contractor Tool and use the "TPRS Trained" filter option.1

What Are the Benefits of the Total Protection Roofing System®?

The components and installation techniques in Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System® provide homeowners with several advantages.

Durability and Protection

Roof damage can quickly lead to costly losses, as water intrusion can destroy walls, flooring, furniture, and treasured keepsakes. The Total Protection Roofing System®^ gives you peace of mind. It helps ensure your roof performs against outside elements.

Warranty Privileges

Roofing systems installed by a Platinum or Preferred Contractor may qualify for the Owens Corning® System Protection Limited Lifetime Warranty. * This warranty is one of the best in the industry. Depending on the network level of your chosen contractor, you may also receive extended Preferred Protection or Platinum Protection.

Help Homeowners Meet the Requirements for the FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation

Thanks to the durable components and installation techniques used in the Total Protection Roofing System®, your roof may qualify for FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation. With installation performed according to the FORTIFIED Roof™ specifications, your contractor may also be able to assist with the qualification process.

Understanding the FORTIFIED Home™ Program

Billion-dollar weather disasters are becoming more common. Records from NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information show steady growth over the last 40 years. Climate change can make storms worse. However, the growing population in coastal areas and the high value of homes are important for calculating losses.

To reduce disaster loss and insurance payouts, insurers are finding ways to help protect homes during storms. One way to do this is through the FORTIFIED Home program administered by the Insurance Institute for Home and Business Safety (IBHS), which offers three levels:

  • FORTIFIED ROOF™, which covers changes to roofing materials and installation methods.
  • FORTIFIED SILVER includes all roof modifications, along with extra bracing or straps for the gable ends of roofs, chimneys, and attached structures such as carports and porches. Additionally, windows and garage doors must have a minimum pressure rating.
  • FORTIFIED GOLD includes all the above but also puts together a continuous load path through the home by anchoring the roof, walls, and foundation.

While all levels benefit homeowners, we’ve compiled information specifically about the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ program and how it relates to the Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System®^.

What Is a FORTIFIED Roof™ Designation?

The FORTIFIED Roof™ designation is granted for residential roofs that have met the required guidelines and also passed a final inspection completed by a certified FORTIFIED evaluator. FORTIFIED designations on new roofs are valid for five years. After that, you must have your roof inspected and re-evaluated. If the roof is still up to guidelines, you’ll receive another five-year certificate for the existing roof.

The FORTIFIED Roof™ program requires products and methods that have repeatedly been tested under rigorous conditions. These tests ensure they can withstand strong winds, hail, and rain.** The standards vary depending on the region of the country and its most common weather events. The roofing components that require modification include:

FORTIFIED Roof Logo

  • Eaves: Since the area along the eaves is particularly vulnerable to wind gusts, FORTIFIED standards demand a wider drip edge installed over the underlayment using a staggered nail pattern. In addition, they require starter strips that are fully attached. These alterations help prevent strong winds from peeling back shingles and underlayment.
  • Sealed deck seams: Another essential upgrade involves covering all roof deck seams with specialized joint tape. Afterward, the underlayment is attached using the specified pattern and nails. An alternative solution to using seam tape is covering the full roof deck with a self-adhered underlayment or two layers of mechanically attached underlayments. Should high winds remove sections of your shingles and/or underlayment, the sealed seams help prevent water intrusion.
  • Specialized nails: To help prevent blow-through of shingles and underlayment, FORTIFIED Roof™ standards require a ring-shanked nail. IBHS research shows that using these types of nails and following the approved nailing pattern can almost double the strength of the roof.
  • Impact-Resistant shingles: Asphalt shingles used in FORTIFIED Roof™ systems must be rated “excellent” or “good” for impact resistance by the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

The IBHS developed the FORTIFIED Roof™ program is designed to prevent weather-related roof damage, saving homeowners and insurers billions of dollars in disaster recovery, and helping to safeguard your home and family. While a FORTIFIED Roof™ isn’t required, many regions, particularly those on the coast, have strict construction standards in place. Therefore, it makes sense to include FORTIFIED upgrades in your roof replacement plans.

Insurance and Tax Incentives

Since an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ certificate shows that your roof has additional coverage from storms, many home insurers offer a discount on wind coverage premiums and sometimes lower deductibles. Check with your home insurance provider for specific information and applicable discounts.

Tax credits and incentives are available for specific states, some based on the FORTIFIED Roof™ designation and others on roofing upgrades commonly found in the Total Protection Roofing System®^. Don’t miss out on any savings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Qualifying a FORTIFIED Roof™

1.      The logical first step in any roofing endeavor is finding a reliable, expert contractor. Since requirements differ based on coastal regions, a qualified local roofing contractor can help ensure you follow the proper guidelines.

Use the Owens Corning Find a Contractor Tool to search for an independent roofing contractor near you. Look for a Platinum or Preferred contractor with Total Protection Roofing System® Training. Once you have found a contractor, you can check if they have completed the necessary training on the FORTIFIED Home Directory.

2.      Build or reroof your home with the Total Protection Roofing System®^. Your contractor can help you choose the appropriate materials and inspect your roof deck for soundness. Occasionally, roof sheathing may need to be replaced or reinforced before going ahead with the FORTIFIED alterations.

3.      Work with a FORTIFIED evaluator to ensure all the needed documentation is gathered during the installation process and promptly submitted. Your roofing contractor may already have a relationship with an independent FORTIFIED evaluator, or you can connect with one on the IBHS website.

4.      Once your documentation has been reviewed, the IBHS sends the designation to your evaluator to share with you. Generally, your IBHS designation should be in the company’s database in less than a week. Be sure to notify your insurance company after you receive your designation to take advantage of any premium discounts.

You can learn more about the Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System® and how it can help you achieve a FORTIFIED Roof™ designation by visiting the company’s website.

In addition, check out the Owens Corning® Build Your Roof® Tool, where you can research and select each component, creating a customized roof that protects and beautifies your home.

Contact an OCCN Contractor to install the Total Protection Roofing System®
Learn More about the FORTIFIED Roof™ Program
1Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network members are independent contractors and not an affiliate of Owens Corning Roofing or its affiliated companies.
2Consult with your insurance agent and tax specialist for more information.
^Excludes non-Owens Corning® roofing products such as flashing, fasteners, pipe boots and wood decking.
**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.
*See actual warranty for complete details, limitations and requirements.
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