Fortified Roof

I had a new roof put on about 2 weeks ago, and upgrade it to Fortified. I'm currently waiting on the certificate to come back so I can file it with my insurance.

It was an insurance claim after hail, although they said I didn't have any hail damage but enough wind damage to replace it (Farm Bureau) I paid a relatively small upgrade charge to go with the fortified.

I've experienced 2 years of 50% increases with FB. My policy in Ascension jumped up to $6,200/year this past December. The fortified roof will bring my policy back down to $3375. Nearly a 50% savings that easily pays for the increase in a fraction of a year.

I wouldn't put a new roof on that wasn't fortified personally. For starters, knowing how contractors suck, having a 3rd party inspector come in after to certify their work is a nice peace of mind. Dude spent 20 minutes in my attic counting nails and assuring they hit the rafters. The roofing company had to provide over 600 photos along the way to the inspection company as well proving their work.

I opted for taped seams, but they actually ended up putting ice and water across 100% of my roof.

The inspector had a long chat with me and a benefit I hadn't thought of. He was saying how insurance companies love having fortified roofs on their books. It turns the property into a desirable asset to insure in risky areas.

The same inspector that came out post-installation was out there for a while during the work. He rolled up with a small toolbag and the nicest 24" bright yellow ruler I've ever seen. I talked to him and the roofing project manager and point blank asked him...

Who's job is it to make sure I pass? What happens if something fails inspection? Both agreed the onus was on the roofing company to make sure it passed.

I'm sure part of it is the nonsense built into the insurance money (one price for cash, a higher price for insurance claim) but my upcharge was under $1k. Partially because the roofing company, by default, used most of the fortified process. Fortified just added sealing the deck and the documentation mostly. I'm sure they had a few grand of slush money in their check from insurance.

I'd also shop around if you go that route. Buddy at work had a roof claim during the same weather event. His roofing company wanted $5k more to do fortified. However they did a "free" chimney rebuild for him.

Shady bastards...they did good work but I have learned to distrust pretty much all contractors.

Garcia is currently putting a new Fortified roof on my townhouse as part of the Grant program. They were the least expensive of the three quotes I got and a friend had a positive experience. So far looking pretty good.

metal roof is the only way to go.
I’m watching the dudes replace mine now…original roof lasted 45 years without a bit of trouble, that’s many hurricanes and hail storms.

expected useful life of a standard screw down R panel roof is 30-40 years, with fastener replacement every 10 or so. Standing seam is about the same but you don’t have to replace the fasteners.

I’m actually hoping to get a little discount from Safeco once I send them the new roof warranty (20 years). My old roof was original to the house but it’s been fine for the 20 years I’ve been here (except for fasteners). I was going to try and repair one last time but I got a screaming deal on the new roof plus they are replacing all the wood soffits and fascia and put new ice/water shield in place of the 1970’s tar paper

Read your policy if you have a metal roof. A lot of policies now exclude cosmetic damage to metal roofs. So if hail dents up the roof or a limb falls on the roof and the metal is bent up but not leaking. The claim will not be covered. You have to have structural damage (hole or opening in the metal roof) to be a covered a covered loss if the policy has the cosmetic damage to metal roof exclusion.

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Garcia

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Good luck with the eventual leak

Just for information my homeowners with USAA was discounted 35% from having a Fortified Roof.

I believe the grant is intended for low income homeowners .

We put on a new roof on spring of 2023. Top line OC Platinum warranty etc. It was not “fortified”. Can an existing roof be easily “fortified”? What would be fequired?