CertainTeed has revealed new details about its collaborative effort with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to offer a complete roofing system that meets the standards of the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof program.

FORTIFIED Roof is a nationally recognized above-code standard designed to strengthen homes against severe weather, including high winds, hail, and heavy rains. The system uses specific products and installation methods proven to increase a home's resilience and reduce potential damage.

As previously revealed during the International Roofing Expo, CertainTeed joined forces with IBHS as part of a commitment to bringing resilient solutions to customers. CertainTeed is introducing two new roofing components engineered to meet FORTIFIED Roof standards:

• CertaSeam Roof Tape: A roof deck joint tape designed to seal deck seams and prevent water intrusion during high-wind events.
• SwiftStart SA Starter Shingle: A self-adhering, water-resistant rolled starter that offers fast installation and weather-tight protection.

A range of CertainTeed roofing products meet the FORTIFIED Roof criteria. Each component is engineered to work together, providing a layered defense and high-performance protection in any climate. This comprehensive system includes: CertaSeam Roof Tape for sealing roof deck joints; waterproofing underlayments such as WinterGuard PRO, WinterGuard Sand/Granular; and water-resistant options like Grace Vycor Ice and Water Shield, Grace Vycor Ice and Water Shield HT, RoofRunner, and DiamondDeck. For edge protection, CertainTeed offers the SwiftStart SA Starter Shingle.

CertainTeed shingles that meet the FORTIFIED Roof Hurricane or High Wind include: Landmark TL, Landmark TL Solaris, Landmark Premium, Landmark PRO, Landmark, Belmont IR, Grand Manor, Carriage House and Presidential Shake IR. 

The Landmark ClimateFlex, NorthGate ClimateFlex shingles meet the criteria for an additional hail supplement to a FORTIFIED designation. For attic ventilation, CertainTeed offers 12-inch filtered and unfiltered ridge vents, as well as rolled ridge vents. 

Compatible hip and ridge caps include Shangle Ridge, Shadow Ridge ClimateFlex, and Cedar Crest IR.

Photo courtesy of CertainTeed

"CertainTeed is proud to align with the IBHS FORTIFIED standards, ensuring our roofing systems deliver long-term durability and unmatched performance for all homeowners," said James White, senior product manager, residential roofing at CertainTeed. "Our expanding portfolio of FORTIFIED-compliant products reflects our commitment to preventing avoidable storm-related losses and supporting homeowners in building more resilient homes to achieve our goal of making the world a better home."

FORTIFIED homes are scientifically proven to be more resilient than those built to standard codes. Whether building new, reroofing, or retrofitting, the FORTIFIED Roof standard helps ensure homes are better protected against both everyday weather and extreme storms. 

Homeowners in more than a dozen states may also benefit from financial incentives, including insurance discounts, grants, and tax credits. These benefits are currently available in Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. 

In other states — including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas — similar incentives may be available for homes with qualifying upgrades. 

Beginning Nov. 1, 2025, contractors must be FORTIFIED Certified to complete eligible installations in participating programs.

Please visit certainteed.com to learn more about its FORTIFIED products. For more information on IBHS FORTIFIED Roof, please visit FORTIFIEDHome.org.