FORTIFIED Roof Certification — St. Louis, MO

FORTIFIED Roof Certification in St. Louis, MO

Amy Vandevender is FORTIFIED certified — making St. Louis Roofing & Siding one of a small number of certified contractors in the entire state of Missouri.

What FORTIFIED Means for Your Roof

What Is FORTIFIED Roofing and Why Does It Matter in St. Louis?

FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It goes beyond standard building codes and requires specific installation techniques, enhanced fastening patterns, and qualifying roofing materials that make your roof significantly more resistant to hail and high winds — the two most common causes of severe roof damage in the St. Louis area. It’s not a marketing claim. It’s a tested and verified standard, and you can only receive FORTIFIED certification through a contractor who has been trained and approved by IBHS to install to those specifications.

Very few roofing contractors in Missouri are FORTIFIED certified. The certification process requires specific training, demonstrated competency, and ongoing compliance with IBHS standards. When we tell you we’re FORTIFIED certified, we mean that Amy Vandevender completed the full IBHS contractor training program and that our installations are eligible to receive the official FORTIFIED designation — not that we just say we build good roofs.

St. Louis consistently ranks among the most hail-prone cities in the United States. The metro sees multiple severe hail events every year — storms capable of producing hail large enough to crack shingles, dent metal, and compromise the roofing system on a standard installation. A FORTIFIED roof is built to significantly better withstand those events. In addition, many insurance carriers are increasingly recognizing FORTIFIED certification and offering premium discounts to homeowners who invest in it — making FORTIFIED a decision that can pay back over time.

What’s Included

  • FORTIFIED-certified installation techniques
  • Qualifying materials per IBHS standards
  • Certification documentation for your insurance company
  • FAA drone inspection pre and post installation
  • Written estimate
  • 5-year workmanship warranty
  • Owens Corning Preferred materials

Request a FORTIFIED Roofing Estimate

One of the few FORTIFIED certified contractors in Missouri. Free estimate and eligibility review.

How It Works

The FORTIFIED Certification Process

01

Assessment & Eligibility Review

We inspect your existing roof and assess your home’s eligibility for FORTIFIED certification. We review what deck condition, penetration types, and existing systems would need to be addressed to meet IBHS standards before installation begins.

02

Material Selection

FORTIFIED certification requires materials that meet IBHS qualifying criteria — not every shingle or underlayment makes the cut. We walk you through qualifying Owens Corning product options and help you choose a system that meets the standard and fits your budget.

03

FORTIFIED Installation

Installation follows IBHS-specified techniques: enhanced fastening patterns, sealed roof deck, qualifying drip edge, and proper flashing at all penetrations. Amy oversees the installation to ensure every detail meets the standard before the certification process begins.

04

Certification Documentation

After installation, we provide the full FORTIFIED certification documentation — including the official IBHS designation paperwork you submit to your insurance company. Our post-installation drone inspection documents the completed roof for your records and your insurer.

Common Questions

FORTIFIED Roofing FAQ

What exactly is FORTIFIED certification?
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) — an independent research organization supported by insurance companies that tests building materials and construction techniques under real storm conditions. The FORTIFIED standard specifies particular installation methods, fastening patterns, and materials that collectively make a roofing system significantly more resistant to hail and high wind than a standard code-compliant installation. When a certified contractor installs to FORTIFIED specs and the work is verified, the homeowner receives an official FORTIFIED designation they can provide to their insurance company.
Does FORTIFIED roofing cost more than a standard roof replacement?
Yes — FORTIFIED installation typically costs somewhat more than a standard replacement because it requires specific qualifying materials, enhanced fastening, and a sealed roof deck layer that standard installations don’t include. The additional cost varies by home size and current roof condition. For many St. Louis homeowners, the combination of reduced storm vulnerability and potential insurance premium savings makes the additional investment worth calculating carefully. We’ll give you a line-item estimate that separates standard replacement cost from the FORTIFIED upgrade so you can evaluate it clearly.
Will FORTIFIED certification lower my homeowners insurance premium?
A growing number of insurance carriers offer premium discounts for FORTIFIED certification — and in some states, that discount is significant. Missouri is not yet among the states with mandated discounts, but individual carriers are increasingly recognizing FORTIFIED voluntarily. We recommend calling your insurance agent directly before your replacement to ask whether your carrier offers a FORTIFIED discount and what documentation they require. We’ll provide the certification paperwork your insurer needs once the installation is complete.
How long does FORTIFIED certification last?
FORTIFIED designation is valid for five years from the date of certification. After five years, you can renew the designation through a re-inspection. If you have a claim for storm damage within the certification period and the roof is repaired or replaced, you’ll need to ensure the repair meets FORTIFIED standards to maintain your designation. We advise all our FORTIFIED clients to keep their certification documentation on file and contact us before any repair work to confirm the scope won’t affect their status.
Is FORTIFIED roofing worth it in Missouri?
For most St. Louis area homeowners who plan to stay in their home for ten or more years, yes. The argument is straightforward: St. Louis gets severe hail multiple times per year. A FORTIFIED roof is engineered to take that punishment better than a standard installation. If your current roof needs replacement anyway, the marginal additional cost of going FORTIFIED is often less than you’d expect — particularly if your insurer offers a discount that compounds over the years you own the home. Even without an insurance discount, reducing the likelihood of a major storm claim has real value in a city that deals with hail season every spring.
Get a FORTIFIED Roof in St. Louis, MO
One of the only FORTIFIED certified contractors in Missouri. Free estimate. Full certification documentation provided.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection Call (314) 598-2347