Can you use factory seconds or unlabeled building materials on a FORTIFIED Home™ project?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down IBHS Technical Bulletin FH 2023-04 and explain why factory seconds and unlabeled materials are not permitted in the FORTIFIED Home™ program.

According to the FORTIFIED Engineering Standards Technical Bulletin FH 2023-04, materials that do not meet a manufacturer’s quality assurance standards—whether for aesthetic or functional reasons—are often sold as “factory seconds” or bundled in unlabeled wraps. However, the bulletin clearly states that the use of factory seconds or unlabeled products is unacceptable in the FORTIFIED Home program.

Why does this matter?

The 2025 FORTIFIED Home™ Standard requires specific material testing and performance verification. For example, asphalt shingles must meet ASTM D3161 (Class F) or ASTM D7158 (Class H) wind resistance standards. Without proper labeling and documentation, compliance cannot be verified.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What qualifies as “factory seconds”
• Why unlabeled materials create compliance issues
• Documentation and photo verification requirements
• How IBHS verifies material compliance
• Best practices for contractors and homeowners pursuing FORTIFIED designation

We also cover the importance of photographing product labels on-site, with geolocation stamps or visible home addresses, to meet documentation requirements. If sufficient documentation is not provided, IBHS may request additional information.

If you're building or re-roofing to meet FORTIFIED Home™ – Hurricane or High Wind standards, this episode is essential listening.

Have questions about materials, documentation, or whether your home qualifies for FORTIFIED designation?

📞 Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)
🌐 Visit fortifiedhome.com.

Our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators are ready to help you build stronger, safer, and more resilient.

Clay and concrete roof tiles are a durable roofing option—but under the 2025 FORTIFIED Home™ Standard, they come with specific requirements that homeowners, roofers, and builders must understand.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down how the current 2025 FORTIFIED Standard applies to clay and concrete tile roof systems. The guidance discussed in this episode reflects existing requirements that continue to govern tile installation, attachment, and verification for homes pursuing a FORTIFIED Roof™ designation.

Topics covered include:

• Required design pressure reports for clay and concrete tile systems
• How tile attachments must meet or exceed site-specific wind uplift pressures
• Approved installation methods, fasteners, and adhesives
• Why mortar-set tiles are not permitted under the FORTIFIED standard
• Special considerations for hip and ridge boards, fasteners, and roof decking

Whether you’re planning a new roof, re-roofing with tile, or preparing for a FORTIFIED evaluation, this episode clarifies what the standard requires today to help ensure your roof is resilient, reliable, and severe-weather ready.

📞 Have questions after listening? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

This episode is informed by the 2025 FORTIFIED Home™ Standard, Section 4.7.2, which outlines requirements for clay and concrete tile roof systems.

Can a manufactured (HUD) home qualify for a FORTIFIED Home™ designation? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the often-misunderstood HUD Manufactured Housing Eligibility Requirements and what they mean for homeowners, buyers, and industry professionals.

We explain:

• What officially defines a HUD-manufactured home
• Why wind zones and the year of manufacture (post–July 1994) matter
• Which HUD homes are eligible—and ineligible—for FORTIFIED designation
• The importance of permanent foundations, proper anchoring, and reinforced masonry
• How to identify HUD labels, data plates, and common red flags during evaluations

If you own—or are considering purchasing—a manufactured home and want to improve its resilience, reliability, and severe-weather readiness, this episode is a must-listen.

📞 Have questions after listening? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

Leaf Gutters and Guards: What Homeowners Need to Know for a FORTIFIED Roof

Gutters and leaf guards may seem like simple add-ons, but when it comes to building a FORTIFIED Roof™, they can make or break your home’s ability to withstand high winds and severe weather. In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down how gutters and leaf guards interact with critical roof edge details—and why improper installation can jeopardize a FORTIFIED designation.

You’ll learn:

• Why roof edge details are one of the most vulnerable areas during high-wind events
• How existing gutters can impact New Roof vs. Existing Roof FORTIFIED designations
• When leaf guards are allowed—and when they disrupt the roof’s load path
• Installation best practices that help protect against water intrusion and wind damage

If you’re planning a re-roof, installing leaf guards, or aiming for a FORTIFIED designation, this episode explains what you need to know before work begins.

Have questions after listening? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

What’s happening beneath your shingles matters more than you might think. In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts—powered by the real-world experience of Knockout Inspections—break down excessive gaps in wood roof decking and why gaps greater than 1/8 inch can put your home at risk during high-wind events.

Using official FORTIFIED Home™ guidance, we explain:

• Why “solidly sheathed” roof decks are critical for wind resistance
• How excessive gaps impact asphalt shingle performance
• When manufacturer guidance applies—and when FORTIFIED Standard Detail F-RR-5 becomes the approved solution
• What homeowners, contractors, and evaluators need to know to stay compliant with FORTIFIED Home™ Hurricane and High Wind standards

Whether you’re upgrading an older home or planning a roof replacement, this episode helps you understand what inspectors look for and how proper corrections can protect your investment—and your peace of mind.

Have questions after listening?

 📞 Call Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

What does it really mean when a shingle is labeled “hail resistant”? In this updated episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts—powered by Knockout Inspections—break down the latest Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) hail impact resistance testing protocol and what it means for homeowners in hail-prone regions.

Using best-available science, IBHS now evaluates asphalt shingles with engineered ice spheres that replicate real hailstones—not steel balls—measuring damage such as granule loss, dents, cracks, and breaches. This new testing method goes far beyond pass/fail ratings, offering data-driven performance rankings that help distinguish truly resilient roofing products from the rest.

In this episode, we cover:

• How IBHS simulates real hail impacts using calibrated ice spheres
• Why granule loss and deformation matter just as much as visible cracks
• The difference between “Good” and “Excellent” hail performance ratings
• Why not all “impact-resistant” shingles perform the same in real storms
• What homeowners should know when choosing a roof in hail-prone areas

If you’re building, replacing a roof, or simply want to protect one of your biggest investments—your home—this episode gives you the clarity you need to make smarter, storm-ready decisions.

Have questions about hail-resistant shingles or FORTIFIED-ready roofing?
 📞 Call Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)
🌐 Visit fortifiedhome.com

Roof-mounted HVAC units are common in many regions—but when they’re not properly designed, attached, and evaluated, they can become a serious weak point during high-wind and hurricane events.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the official FORTIFIED Home™ requirements for elevated roof-mounted HVAC units, as outlined in the latest FORTIFIED Engineering Standards. You’ll learn why these systems pose elevated risks, what disqualifies a home from a FORTIFIED designation, and why a professional engineer is always required when roof-mounted HVAC equipment is present.

We cover:

• Why gravity-only and improperly attached HVAC platforms fail in severe weather
• What “positive anchorage” really means for elevated roof platforms
• Common issues with flashing, sealing, and deterioration at roof penetrations
• What’s required for re-roofing when HVAC units are elevated above the roof
• The documentation and compliance verification needed for FORTIFIED eligibility

If your home has a roof-mounted HVAC unit—or you’re planning upgrades, retrofits, or a FORTIFIED designation—this episode explains what inspectors, engineers, and homeowners need to know to reduce risk and protect the home envelope.

📞 Have questions after listening? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

Rain diverters may seem like a simple solution for keeping water off walkways—but on asphalt shingle roofs, they can create serious resilience concerns.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the latest FORTIFIED guidance on rain diverters and explain why they are not recommended on FORTIFIED asphalt shingle roofs. You’ll learn how inserting diverters between shingle courses can break the manufacturer’s seal, increasing vulnerability to wind damage and jeopardizing a home’s ability to qualify for a FORTIFIED Roof™ – New Roof designation.

We also walk through the two compliance pathways outlined by FORTIFIED:

• When rain diverters must be removed and shingles repaired and resealed, and
• When documentation from the shingle manufacturer may allow a diverter to remain installed

Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or preparing for a FORTIFIED evaluation, this episode helps you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions that protect both your roof and your designation.

Have questions about rain diverters, asphalt shingles, or FORTIFIED requirements?
 👉 Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

Dog doors may be convenient for your four-legged family members—but did you know they can impact your home’s FORTIFIED designation?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the latest IBHS Technical Bulletin (FH 2024-03) addressing dog doors in FORTIFIED Silver and Gold homes. Updated in November 2024, this bulletin clarifies how dog doors affect impact ratings, design pressure requirements, and long-term eligibility for FORTIFIED designations.

We cover:

• Why dog doors installed in doors, windows, or walls can create vulnerabilities
• The new Silver vs. Gold requirements for dog doors
• What’s allowed, what’s exempt, and what could downgrade your designation at renewal
• Documentation and verification requirements homeowners should understand
• Practical guidance for homeowners who want to stay storm-ready without sacrificing convenience

If you already have a dog door—or you’re considering adding one—this episode is a must-listen to help protect your investment and your FORTIFIED status.

📞 Have questions after listening? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to speak with our in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators.

In this episode, our AI experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) will discuss the ZIP System developed by Huber Engineering. The ZIP System takes high-grade plywood and tape materials that have been developed to meet the FORTIFIED standards and makes one strong home unit. 

Questions following the episode? Give Knockout Inspections a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO or visit fortifiedhome.com.