Information For Home Buyers
Why Buy a fortified home?
Safety, Savings, & Smarter Investing.
SAFETY
FORTIFIED Home Program was created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety(IBHS). It is a voluntary construction and re-roofing Program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against specific types of severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes and even tornados. By choosing FORTIFIED, you are getting protection that goes beyond even the strictest code.
SAVINGS
Insurance companies agree: FORTIFIED protects homes and reduces damage. When you purchase a FORTIFIED Home at any level of certification (Roof, Silver or Gold), you will be eligible to receive insurance discounts from most carriers. Discounts will depend on the state and carrier, but will typically average between 30-50% reduced payments.
SMARTER INVESTING
The risk of resale dramatically reduces with a FORTIFIED Home. As long as you renew your FORTIFIED certification every 5 years, the value of your home will remain high and desirable due to the benefits of safety and insurance discounts. Knockout’s team of FORTIFIED Evaluators will be here to make sure your renewal inspections go smoothly when the time comes.
MAKE SURE IT’S FORTIFIED
It’s important to note that just because a listing description says a home is FORTIFIED, it’s still worth confirming before committing. There are several ‘Caveat Emptor’ states in the US (including Alabama), which basically means it is the buyer’s responsibility to ask for information before purchasing the home.
levels of FORTIFIED certification
You’ve probably heard the term “FORTIFIED,” but what does it mean? We’ve broken down the three levels of certification (Gold, Silver & Roof) to make things clear.
The National Standard of Resilience | FORTIFIED Roof | FORTIFIED Silver | FORTIFIED Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
Enhanced Roof Deck Attachment | YES | YES | YES |
Sealed Roof Deck | YES | YES | YES |
Locked Down Roof Edges | YES | YES | YES |
Impact-Resistant Shingles Rated by IBHS** | YES | YES | YES |
Wind and Rain-Resistant Attic Vents | YES | YES | YES |
Impact Protection for Windows & Doors* | YES | YES | |
Impact* & Pressure-Rated Garage Doors | YES | YES | |
Chimney Bracing | YES | YES | |
Reinforced Soffits* | YES | YES | |
Anchored Attached Structures | YES | YES | |
Gable End Bracing | YES | YES | |
Pressure-Rated Windows & Doors* | YES | ||
Stronger Exterior Sheathing* | YES | ||
Engineered Roof-to-Wall Connections | YES | ||
Engineered Story-to-Story Connections | YES | ||
Engineered Wall-to-Foundation Connections | YES | ||
*Required in Hurricane Prone Areas Only **Required in Hail Prone Areas Only |