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Tulsa FORTIFIED Roof™

Tulsa FORTIFIED Roof is a better way to protect your home against severe weather. After decades of studying weather-related damage, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed the FORTIFIED™ program—a voluntary construction and re-roofing program designed to help protect homes against specific types of severe weather, such as high winds, hail, and hurricanes.

Homes meeting the rigorous requirements of the FORTIFIED Home™ —High Wind & Hail Roof Standards —may receive discounts on their homeowner’s insurance premium. Contact your insurance agent for discount details. View the current discounts here.

A FORTIFIED roof includes the following enhancements:

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Tulsa FORTIFIED Roofing Contractor Since 2018

Whirlwind Roofing has been a FORTIFIED certified roofing contractor in Tulsa since 2018, helping Oklahoma homeowners strengthen their homes against severe weather. Choosing a FORTIFIED roof system during your next roof replacement adds an extra layer of protection where Oklahoma homes need it most. We are proud to be one of the eight original roofing contractors chosen for the OK Ready Strengthen Oklahoma Homes $10,000 grant program.

  • Dave Laizure, co-owner of Whirlwind Roofing, has been an approved FORTIFIED roofer since 2018.
  • Brooke Laizure, co-owner, became FORTIFIED certified in 2025 to help serve homeowners participating in the ever expanding OK Ready grant program.
  • Both currently hold certifications for FORTIFIED Hail and FORTIFIED High-Wind.

Get $10,000 Toward a FORTIFIED Roof Through Oklahoma’s Grant Program 

The OK Ready grant is a great way to reduce the cost of upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof, the strongest and most resilient roof available for Oklahoma homes. Whirlwind Roofing has been FORTIFIED certified since 2018, and we’re proud to one of the eight original approved contractors for the OK Ready grant program.
 
It’s important to understand that this is not a free roof program. The $10,000 grant is designed to offset the additional cost of upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof, which includes IBHS approved impact-resistant shingles and building improvements such as proper decking, ventilation, fascia, and chimney work—all required to meet the program’s extremely strict standards. 
 
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Apply for the grant at Strengthen Oklahoma Homes
Step 2: Hire a third-party evaluator. (Contractors are not allowed to do the evaluation.)
Step 3: Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a list of approved contractors. 
 
Due to the high volume of requests, we have selected only a few zip codes to service. However, if you would like us to provide a quote/inspection and you are in or near the Tulsa area, please call us at 918-366-3341 and we will temporarily open your zip code on our side so you can choose us.
 
Resources such as a list of FAQ’s, Homeowner’s checklist, and how to apply are available at the OK Ready website.

Why FORTIFIED Roof Bids Can Vary by Thousands of Dollars

A FORTIFIED roof is not just a roof replacement. It is a highly specific system that must meet strict engineering standards established by Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and verified by a third-party evaluator.

Because of that, two bids for a FORTIFIED roof can look similar on paper but differ significantly in materials, installation methods, and long-term performance.

Materials Included in the Bid Matter

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a FORTIFIED Roof more expensive than a traditional roof?
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.

Many insurers in Oklahoma offer discounts for homes meeting the FORTIFIED standards off the wind and hail portion of your homeowners premium. It is important to contact your insurance agent for discount details. View the current discounts here.

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?

If a homeowner expects to close on the home before the 6-month grant eligibility window, it is advised to remain in the home until the grant process is finalized or to not to apply.

For example, if the home has been roofed, but not completely closed out by OK Ready/Strengthen Oklahoma Homes, and goes to closing, the grant applicant may become responsible for the full grant portion of the payment to the roofing contractor as they would no longer qualify for grant funds.

There is no required window of occupancy as long as the homeowner has a homestead exemption for the current tax year and uses the home as their primary residence until the application is finalized. This would include being certified and submitting the new insurance declarations stages, a process that could take months.