A FORTIFIED™ Roof is one designation of the FORTIFIED program focused on helping to protect roofs from severe weather like high winds, hail and hurricanes1
A FORTIFIED Roof designation may help you qualify for financial incentives2
Specific materials and installation methods, including a wider drip edge and a fully-adhered starter strip, are required to help reduce the risk of blow offs caused by wind getting underneath roof edges.
Sealed roof deck
Roof decks must be sealed in a particular manner to help prevent water from passing through gaps should wind manage to rip off the roof covering.
Better attachment
Specific ring-shank nails, installed in an enhanced pattern, are required to help keep the roof deck attached in high winds.
Strong roof vent
(Hurricane Standard Only)
All ridge and off-ridge roof vents must be tested in accordance with TAS 100 (A).
Impact-resistant shingles
(Optional Hail Supplement Only)
In hail-prone areas, homeowners are encouraged to opt for the Hail Supplement, which requires shingles with a score of Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings.
1 Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. See current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only.
2 Insurance discounts, grants, and other incentives are not guaranteed and may vary, if available. For more information, visit fortifiedhome.org/incentives.
3 Even if GAF products meet certain FORTIFIED requirements or are used in a FORTIFIED designated roof, GAF products are covered by GAF’s limited warranties, which provide your sole and exclusive remedy for any covered issues arising out of or related to qualifying GAF products. See gaf.com/Warranties for details.
Are you a contractor looking to become FORTIFIED™ Certified?
Talk to a GAF Master Elite® Contractor4 who is also IBHS Certified Fortified™5. These contractors are familiar with FORTIFIED™ Roof requirements and can offer some of GAF's strongest warranties on qualifying roofing systems.6
4 Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details. Always verify that your contractor is certified by GAF by visiting gaf.com/roofing-contractors.
5 FORTIFIED™ certified is a program of IBHS. Always verify that your contractor is FORTIFIED Certified with IBHS by visiting fortifiedproviders.com.
6 Eligibility requirements, terms and restrictions apply. Visit gaf.com/warranties for information.
FORTIFIED roofing requirements¹
Must be installed by a FORTIFIED certified roofer
Products and installation mustmeet FORTIFIED standards.
Must be verified by aCertified FORTIFIED Evaluator
1 Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. See current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only.
Warranties and financial benefits
Exclusive limited warranty coverage
A FORTIFIED Roof installed by a GAF Master Elite® Contractor may be eligible for a Golden Pledge® or President’s Club Limited Warranty as well as benefits from the FORTIFIED warranty addendum.7
2 Insurance discounts, grants, and other incentives are not guaranteed and may vary if available. For more information, visit fortifiedhome.org/incentives
7 See Golden Pledge Limited Warranty and President's Club Limited Warranty and Limited Fortified Addendum for complete coverage and restrictions.
Want more information about roofing restoration after a storm?
Must be Class F (ASTM D3161) or Class H (ASTM D7158) rated asphalt shingles.
Timberline® AS II
Timberline® AS II Shingles with UL 2218 Class 49 impact resistance give your roof a fighting chance in hail-prone areas and help protect it against wind and blue-green algae too.
Timberline HDZ® shingles offer industry-first technologies and powerful warranties. Plus, they provide two distinct color collections, delivering unrivaled beauty that demands a second look.
Timberline HDZ® RS shingles with EcoDark® granules can be used to comply with cool roof requirements while also enhancing the curb appeal of your home.
Made with our proprietary SBS modified asphalt formulation, Grand Sequoia® AS SBS Modified IR Shingles provide an excellent combination of UL 2218 Class 49 impact resistance and beauty.
9Testing performed under controlled laboratory conditions. GAF makes no express or implied warranty about the impact performance of these products against hail. Hail damage is not covered under the limited warranty. See GAF Shingle and Accessory Limited Warranty available at gaf.com/warranties for details.
If seeking the optional hail supplement under the FORTIFIED Home - High Wind designation, asphalt shingles must be rated Good or Excellent in the IBHS Hail Impact Standard Ratings.9
Timberline® AS II
Timberline® AS II Shingles with UL 2218 Class 49 impact resistance give your roof a fighting chance in hail-prone areas and help protect it against wind and blue-green algae too.
9Testing performed under controlled laboratory conditions. GAF makes no express or implied warranty about the impact performance of these products against hail. Hail damage is not covered under the limited warranty. See GAF Shingle and Accessory Limited Warranty available at gaf.com/warranties for details.
Asphalt shingles must meet ASTM D3161 (Class F) or ASTM D7158 (Class H)
TimberTex® Premium Ridge Cap Shingles
Double layer 12" (305 mm) width ridge cap shingles with large exposure provide a dimensional finished look.
MasterFlow™ Power Attic Vents - Roof Mount with Thermostat
Serious off-ridge ventilation power with advanced technology. Help pull heat and moisture from the attic. Thermostat included. Available in multiple colors.
Master Flow™ Power Attic Vents - Roof Mount with Humidistat/Thermostat
Serious off-ridge ventilation power with advanced technology. Help pull heat and moisture from the attic. Thermostat/Humidistat combo included. Available in multiple colors.
Master Flow™ GreenMachine™ High‑Power Solar Roof Vent - Dual‑Powered Model
Unique low-profile vent automatically switches between solar (up to 750 CFM airflow) and house power (900 CFM airflow) to reduce heat/moisture in the attic.
12" (305 mm) galvanized turbine with stainless dual-bearing system uses the wind to pull heat and moisture from the attic systems for extra durability.
Help protect your home against damaging leaks at one of the most vulnerable parts of new or existing roofs — penetrations — the place where plumbing pipes stick through your roof.
Low-slope roof system attachments must be installed in compliance with the requirements of the certified design pressure report and building code requirements.
LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Base/Ply Sheet
Durable membrane used as a base sheet for LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Cap Sheet or as a ply sheet in modified bitumen roofing systems.
8Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. See current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only. Even if GAF products meet certain FORTIFIED requirements or are used in a FORTIFIED designated roof, GAF products are covered by GAF’s limited warranties, which provide your sole and exclusive remedy for any covered issues arising out of or related to qualifying GAF products. See gaf.com/warranties for details.
The GAF and IBHS Alliance
GAF has joined IBHS in a first-of-its-kind alliance. GAF offers GAF Master Elite® contractors4 training to help them meet the requirements to become FORTIFIED Certified.6 Once certified, these contractors can offer an additional limited warranty addendum.
4 Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of 𠊊 minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of use for details. Always verify that your contractor is certified by GAF by visiting gaf.com/roofing-contractors.
6 FORTIFIED™ certified is a program of IBHS. Eligibility requirements, terms, and restrictions apply. For details, visit fortifiedhome.org/how-to-become-fortified-certified. Always verify that your contractor is FORTIFIED Certified with IBHS by visiting fortifiedproviders.com.
Hear from a contractor
“A FORTIFIED Roof has so many benefits for property owners, from mitigating the inside damage from major storms ... to sustaining much stronger wind lifts.”
Joe Singh, First United Roofing & Construction
FORTIFIED roofing FAQs⁷
GAF has manufactured high-quality roofing products for over 135 years. More homes and businesses in the U.S. are protected by a GAF roof than by any other product. GAF manufacturers certain products that can comply with FORTIFIED requirements.7 GAF also offers contractor training to meet the requirements to become FORTIFIED Certified with IBHS.6
Initial FORTIFIED designation certificates expire five years from the date they were issued. At the end of that period, a redesignation inspection is required to maintain the designation.
The FORTIFIED Standard requires roofs to be sealed in a particular manner to help reduce the risk of water passing through gaps if wind removes the roof covering.
A FORTIFIED Certified contractor can provide an itemized cost breakdown as part of your roofing estimate. Consider connecting with local GAF Master Elite® Contractors3 who are FORTIFIED Certified.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported solely by property insurers and reinsurers. IBHS’s building safety research leads to real-world solutions for home and business owners, helping to create more resilient communities.
As North America's largest roofing manufacturer, more homes and businesses in the U.S. are protected by a GAF roof than by any other product. Over 135 years in business, we've maintained a sustained focus on our customers.
A roofing contractor must become FORTIFIED certified to be eligible to install and receive a FORTIFIED Roof™ designation.
Once becoming FORTIFIED certified, a roofing contractor must install the roof on a qualifying home in accordance with the applicable FORTIFIED Standard.
A Certified FORTIFIED Evaluator must then independently verify that all requirements are satisfied before IBHS will award a designation.
A designation is valid for 5 years and an inspection is required to renew it.
GAF and IBHS have formed a strategic alliance to help make FORTIFIED Roofs more accessible to homeowners nationwide. Through this partnership, GAF is deploying its training expertise to help GAF Master Elite® Roofing Contractors3 meet the requirements to become FORTIFIED Certified.
3 Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details.
6 FORTIFIED™ certified is a program of IBHS. Eligibility requirements, terms, and restrictions apply. For details, visit fortifiedhome.org/how-to-become-fortified-certified. Always verify that your contractor is FORTIFIED Certified with IBHS by visiting fortifiedproviders.com.
7 Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. See current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only. Even if GAF products meet certain FORTIFIED requirements or are used in a FORTIFIED designated roof, GAF products are covered by GAF’s limited warranties, which provide your sole and exclusive remedy for any covered issues arising out of or related to qualifying GAF products. See gaf.com/warranties for details.
