As homeowners grow more conscious of the benefits of long-lasting and storm-resistant roofs, contractors who obtain FORTIFIED certification will likely see an increase in business. Becoming a FORTIFIED service provider can grant you and your company many benefits, from improving your credibility to differentiating yourself in competitive markets and beyond.
GAF has partnered with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), which manages the FORTIFIED program, and is using its training resources to make it easier for contractors, like you, to become certified. Learn everything you need to know about the FORTIFIED certification below.
What Is a FORTIFIED Certification?
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and reroofing program with a set standard created and managed by IBHS. IBHS sets requirements that home and roof builders must follow to help protect against severe weather-related damage.
For contractors, becoming a FORTIFIED-certified service provider means you've undergone training and examination to build roofs that reach standards beyond the local building codes. As a contractor who installs a FORTIFIED Roof™, you'll use specific installation techniques with high-quality materials, so a roof can hold up against potential damage caused by hurricanes and harsh thunderstorms.
Benefits of Becoming FORTIFIED Certified
In competitive markets across the United States, a FORTIFIED certification can help you differentiate. With the growing number of roofing companies, standing out to customers is the best way to win over their business. A FORTIFIED certification shows that you've received specialized training to build weather-resistant roofs and that homeowners won't need to worry about a poorly installed roof that will require repairs anytime soon.
You can also grow your company's reach by expanding into a growing market of homeowners who are aware of how harsh weather conditions can impact their roof's lifespan. New roofs and roofing repairs can be disruptive, so some homeowners are willing to pay extra for a more weather-resistant roof. This is a growing market where you'll find less budget-conscious clients and more customers willing to make investments in their roofing system that pay off in the long term.
There's also no better way to increase your trust and credibility than to display it with a certification by a third party. A FORTIFIED accreditation shows that you care about the durability of a roof and are willing to go beyond the standards of local building codes. Whether you're working with homeowners who want to keep their families protected or commercial clients who want to avoid disruptions to their businesses, a FORTIFIED certification can show them you're committed to building quality roofing systems.
Homeowners who are on the fence about a new roof may also be persuaded by the benefits they may receive when installing a FORTIFIED Roof™. There are insurance discounts, tax credits, and grants they may qualify for when they install this type of roof.
When you build roofs that use premium materials and are designed to resist damage, you help elevate your reputation as a reliable contractor. As a result, getting referrals from satisfied customers to local insurance companies in your area can become much easier. The certification is a way to support your long-term business growth, strengthen relationships with current and future customers, and help your company align with the latest practices in resilient construction.
How GAF Can Help You Meet the FORTIFIED Standard
GAF has established a one-of-a-kind alliance with IBHS to help homeowners install a FORTIFIED Roof™ and help contractors get a FORTIFIED certification.
GAF has several materials built to deliver code-plus, storm-resilient solutions that can help contractors meet the standards for a FORTIFIED Roof™ Program and beyond. High-quality roofing shingles like the Timberline HDZ® and the TimberTex® Premium Ridge Cap Shingles meet the Class F (ASTM D3161) and Class H (ASTM D7158) requirements of the FORTIFIED Roof™ Standard. The WeatherWatch® Ice & Water Leak Barrier complies with the ASTM D1970 standards, the FeltBuster® Synthetic Roofing Felt meets the ASTM D8257 standard, and the GAF Roof Deck Seam Tape meets the standard of ASTM D1970. By choosing GAF materials for your projects, you're already taking steps toward ensuring your customers have a longer-lasting roof.
GAF is also providing contractors with specialized training to help them learn about the materials they need and installation methods for a FORTIFIED Roof™. GAF offers classes at the CARE Contractor Training Center to help GAF Master Elite® contractors become FORTIFIED certified, recently having celebrated the milestone of training 613 individuals from 335 GAF Master Elite® Companies.
If you're a contractor wanting to become FORTIFIED-certified and don't know where to start, GAF can help you along every step of the process.
