Yes. The additional building materials, third-party inspections, and labor required to upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof is more expensive than a traditional roof system. Pricing depends on available material costs, size if your roof, and complexity of the project.

Third-party verification by a FORTIFIED Evaluator is required to make certain the upgraded construction materials and installation methods used on your home meet the standards required for a FORTIFIED designation certificate. This is a service the homeowner pays for separately from the roofing contractor. A list of evaluators can be found at https://fortifiedproviders.com/

No. Your roof will need to be re-inspected every 5 years to maintain its FORTIFIED certification. Also, if your home has been modified in the past 5 years―perhaps you enclosed an attached porch or added a new bedroom, the evaluator will work with you to determine whether your home still meets the FORTIFIED standards. Typically, this will involve discussing the changes with the contractor who made them and documenting the building materials and construction techniques used. Each situation is unique, and a certified evaluator will be able to provide an assessment specific to your home.

As of Jan 1, 2025, for all FORTIFIED Home designations, roofs must be installed by certified FORTIFIED Roofing Contractors. 

No. While lab and real-world experience has proven FORTIFIED to be remarkably effective at limiting storm damage, we do expect some FORTIFIED homes to experience damage during extreme weather.  Some elements of a home (like siding) are not addressed by the standards and may be damaged. Other components, even ones included in the standards, can be affected by age, climate and maintenance, and some simply have limitations that prevent 100% protection on 100% of the homes where they are installed.  Understanding that even a well-built home may suffer damage is key to FORTIFIED’s success.  Its multiple layers of defenses significantly reduce the chances of a cascade of damage.

Yes, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act (SOH) provides a limited amount of grants to Oklahoma residents for residential wind and hail mitigation on new and existing, owner-occupied, primary residence single-family homes beginning in 2025. Funding for this program comes from the insurance industry in Oklahoma and is not funded from the state’s general budget. To receive this grant, you must obtain an IBHS FORTIFIED Home – Roof™ – High Wind designation with the Hail Supplement. Visit the OKReady website for the latest grant information.

No, the SOH grant money cannot be used to pay your insurance deductible. It also cannot be used to pay your Evaluator.

Only Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) approved roofing contractors may be used. You will select three contractors from a list of SOH qualified and trained contractors to provide bids to the grant program. Whirlwind Roofing and Construction has been an approved roofing contractor since day one.

Some lower bids may reduce cost by using materials that meet minimum requirements but may not offer the same durability.

For example:

• Box vents instead of continuous ridge vent systems
  Box vents can lower cost initially, but they are more vulnerable to hail dents and do not provide the same balanced ventilation as a continuous ridge vent system.
• Different shingle choices
  Approved impact-resistant shingles vary in quality, warranty coverage, and long-term performance.
• Lower-grade accessories
  Flashings, starter materials, underlayments, and sealants all affect how well the roof performs in Oklahoma weather.

Installation Methods Can Greatly Affect Price

FORTIFIED roofing requires precise installation methods that often take more labor and attention to detail.

Examples include:

• Proper roof deck seam sealing
• Correct fastening patterns
• Enhanced drip edge installation
• Specialized flashing details around chimneys, valleys, and roof penetrations

Some contractors may choose faster methods that lower labor cost but may not provide the same long-term moisture control.

For example, applying full ice and water shield across the deck may seem efficient, but if ventilation is not carefully managed, it can create moisture concerns over time. In many cases, properly sealing deck seams is the better long-term solution.

Ask Every Contractor These Important Questions

• How many FORTIFIED roofs have you completed?
• How many have passed without correction?
• Who handles documentation for the evaluator?
• What ventilation system is included?
• How are roof deck seams sealed?