FORTIFIED is a voluntary, beyond-code construction and re-roofing standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It is based on decades of scientific research and strengthens homes, multifamily buildings, and commercial properties against high winds, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Every FORTIFIED designation is third-party verified by a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator, ensuring construction materials and methods meet the required standard. That independent verification is what sets FORTIFIED apart from code-minimum construction with similar features but no accountability.
More than 90,000 properties across 31 states have earned a FORTIFIED designation. In 2025, for the first time in program history, more than 20,000 designations were issued in a single year.
What is FORTIFIED? - A two-minute overview of the standard and how it works.
Proven Performance
A 2025 peer-reviewed study by the University of Alabama confirmed what years of real-world storms had shown: FORTIFIED Roof homes had 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses during Hurricane Sally compared to conventionally built homes.
SHA is the leading FORTIFIED technical assistance provider in the country. We help communities, developers, housing agencies, and governments put FORTIFIED to work at scale.
FORTIFIED programs
- FORTIFIED Home — for single-family homes, townhomes, and duplexes
- FORTIFIED Multifamily — for apartments, condos, and other multifamily properties
- FORTIFIED Commercial — for businesses and commercial properties
For contractors and evaluators
- FORTIFIED Evaluator — become a certified third-party evaluator
- FORTIFIED Wise — professional certifications for the construction and insurance industries
FORTIFIED vs. Conventional Construction - See how the two perform side by side in severe weather conditions.