The FORTIFIED Factor

2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard: Windows and Skylights | The FORTIFIED Factor

What role do windows and skylights play in protecting a home from severe weather? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we take a closer look at the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and the topic of hurricane-designated windows and skylights.

Windows and skylights are important considerations when planning a storm-resilient home. Understanding how these components relate to hurricane protection and the FORTIFIED Home Standard can help builders, contractors, roofing professionals, and homeowners make informed decisions when constructing or improving a home.

Tune in to learn more about windows and skylights in the context of the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and why understanding the applicable requirements matters when preparing homes for severe weather.

Have questions about the FORTIFIED Home Standard? Contact the FORTIFIED team at (855) GOFORKO to learn more.

2025 FORTIFIED Drip Edge Standards | The FORTIFIED Factor

What do you need to know about drip edge requirements in the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we explore drip edge standards and their role in storm-resilient roofing systems.

Drip edge is an important roofing detail that helps manage water at the roof's edges. Understanding the applicable requirements of the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard can help builders, roofing contractors, and industry professionals better understand roofing details that support a durable, weather-resistant home.

Whether you're a roofing professional, builder, contractor, or industry partner, tune in to learn more about the 2025 FORTIFIED drip edge standards and their relevance to FORTIFIED roofing practices.

Listen to The FORTIFIED Factor on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.

Have questions about FORTIFIED Home requirements? Call (855) GOFORKO to learn more.

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In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we’re taking a closer look at the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and what the updated requirements mean for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. As solar becomes an increasingly important part of residential construction, understanding how these systems work alongside a storm-resilient roof is essential.

We’ll explore key requirements for solar panel structural support, wind loads, secure anchoring, and coordination between roofing and solar contractors. Whether you’re a roofing professional, solar installer, builder, or industry partner, tune in to learn how these updates help guide the proper design and installation of PV systems on FORTIFIED homes.

Join us as we break down the details and discuss what you need to know to help keep solar systems—and the homes they’re installed on—better prepared for severe weather.

When severe weather strikes, could your attic vents be putting your entire home at risk?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by the experienced FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections, explore an often-overlooked component of storm-ready homes: attic and gable end vent coverings.

While attic ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy home, these openings can become vulnerable entry points for wind-driven rain during hurricanes and severe storms. Without proper protection, water intrusion can lead to costly damage to insulation, ceilings, walls, and personal belongings.

We'll discuss why protecting attic and gable end vents matters, how vent coverings relate to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home™ standard, and what homeowners should understand about potential insurance implications, including FORTIFIED-related discounts and eligibility requirements.

Whether you're building a new home, upgrading your existing property, or pursuing a FORTIFIED designation, understanding these small but important details can make a big difference in your home's resilience.

Have questions about FORTIFIED requirements or protecting your home? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help!

📞 Call 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)
🌐 Visit fortifiedhome.com

A major change is coming to FORTIFIED Home™ re-designations—and if your home has asphalt shingles, you need to understand what it means.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, break down IBHS Technical Bulletin FH 2026-03 and the new re-designation eligibility requirements for homes with asphalt shingle roof systems.

Under the new requirements, a FORTIFIED Home with asphalt shingles can generally remain eligible for designation for up to 15 years from the applicable starting point. Because FORTIFIED designations are generally renewed every five years, that effectively limits a qualifying asphalt-shingle roof to the initial designation plus two five-year re-designations before roof replacement is needed to restart eligibility. For an existing roof with a known installation date, however, the 15-year period is measured from the documented roof installation date, not necessarily the initial FORTIFIED designation date. If the installation date is unknown, the home is eligible for a single initial designation term of up to five years and cannot be re-designated until the asphalt shingle roof covering is replaced. 

We also explain when the new rule takes effect, how it applies to FORTIFIED Roof™, Silver and Gold properties, what happens when an existing designation extends beyond the new eligibility limit, and how replacing an asphalt shingle roof can begin a new eligibility period.

One distinction is especially important: the new 15-year limit is a FORTIFIED re-designation eligibility requirement. It does not establish the service life of asphalt shingles or automatically mean a 15-year-old roof needs replacement for other purposes. 

If you own a FORTIFIED home, are planning to build or re-roof one, or work in roofing, insurance, real estate, construction, or home inspections, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.

Have questions about how the new requirements may apply to your home? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.

What does it take for a resilient construction standard to grow from a regional initiative into a movement with 100,000 designations nationwide?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, trace the remarkable rise of the FORTIFIED program—from roughly 100 designations in 2011 to surpassing 100,000 cumulative designations in May 2026.

We break down the journey in three distinct phases: the early slow burn, the years of accelerating adoption, and the explosive growth that followed. Along the way, we explore how grant programs, insurance incentives, increased contractor participation, and growing awareness helped create the momentum behind FORTIFIED’s rapid expansion.

You’ll also hear why the 100,000 milestone tells only part of the story. FORTIFIED designations expire after five years unless renewed, raising an important question for the years ahead: Can the incredible growth in new designations translate into equally strong long-term renewal and continued resilience?

Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, insurance professional, real estate professional, or simply interested in building homes that are better prepared for severe weather, this episode provides a fascinating look at how FORTIFIED went from a relatively small coastal initiative to a rapidly expanding approach to resilient construction.

Have questions about FORTIFIED or want to learn what it could mean for your home? Contact the in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.

A FORTIFIED Roof is designed to help protect your home against severe weather—but could it also provide benefits when it comes to your homeowners insurance?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, explore the supplemental insurance benefits that may be available to homeowners with a FORTIFIED Roof. We discuss how FORTIFIED designation can factor into insurance considerations, why documentation and certification matter, and what homeowners should know when talking with their insurance provider about potential discounts, credits, or other benefits.

Whether you already have a FORTIFIED Roof or you're considering upgrading your home, this episode will help you better understand how investing in resilience may have benefits beyond improved protection from severe weather.

Insurance benefits, eligibility, and discounts can vary by insurer, policy, location, and designation. Homeowners should confirm available benefits directly with their insurance provider.

Have questions about FORTIFIED? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help. Call 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.

What does it really take to become a certified FORTIFIED service provider—and what does it take to keep that certification?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, break down the requirements for FORTIFIED Evaluators, Roofing Contractors, and Professionals working within the FORTIFIED program.

We walk through the certification journey, from submitting a provider application and documenting eligibility requirements to completing role-specific training and passing the certification exam. We also discuss what happens after certification, including Provider IDs, technical resources, FOCUS for Evaluators, ongoing credential management, and the requirement to renew training and testing every three years.

You’ll also learn about ProfileGorilla’s role in maintaining the FORTIFIED Provider Directory and tracking the credentials providers need to remain current.

Whether you’re considering becoming a FORTIFIED Evaluator, roofer, or design professional—or you’re a homeowner wondering what “FORTIFIED certified” actually means—this episode provides a helpful look behind the certification.

🎧 Listen now to “FORTIFIED Provider Requirements” on The FORTIFIED Factor.

Have questions about FORTIFIED, the evaluation process, or your home? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help.

📞 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)
🌐 fortifiedhome.com

The FORTIFIED Factor is an AI-assisted and AI-hosted podcast from Knockout Inspections covering resilient, reliable, and severe-weather-ready homes.

Living near the coast comes with incredible views—but salt, moisture, and coastal air can be tough on the metal components holding a home together.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard requirements for corrosion protection of fasteners and connectors in coastal regions and explain why seemingly small pieces of hardware can play an important role in a home's long-term resilience.

The 2025 Standard requires installed hardware to comply with the FORTIFIED Fastener and Connector Corrosion Protection Requirements in Standard Detail F-G-1. The requirements vary based on the type of connection, its exposure, and its distance from a saltwater shoreline. The Standard also makes an important distinction between what is required for a FORTIFIED designation and what is considered a best practice.

We'll discuss the coastal exposure zones, corrosion-resistance categories, and why roof connections and exterior exposed connections deserve particular attention. We'll also look at documentation—because achieving a FORTIFIED designation isn't simply about using the right product. The 2025 Standard requires adequate, site-specific documentation to demonstrate that FORTIFIED requirements were followed, and that appropriately rated products were selected and properly installed. 

And corrosion doesn't stop mattering once a designation is earned. Earlier FORTIFIED guidance emphasizes inspecting visible connections during re-designation and addressing corroded connections when found. The 2025 Standard similarly states that when corrosion is observed in the connections covered by its corrosion-protection table at re-designation, the designation may not be renewed.

Whether you're a coastal homeowner, builder, roofer, or preparing for a FORTIFIED evaluation, this episode helps explain why coastal corrosion protection matters and how FORTIFIED addresses it.

Have questions about FORTIFIED requirements or your home? Knockout Inspections has a team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators ready to help. Call 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.

What does a Design Pressure (DP) rating actually tell you—and how do you know whether a window, door, garage door, or other opening is rated appropriately for a FORTIFIED Home™?

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down one of the more technical—but incredibly important—concepts in resilient construction: required design pressure versus a product’s design pressure rating.

Required design pressure represents the wind pressure a component of the home must be capable of resisting. That pressure isn't necessarily the same everywhere on a structure. Factors such as design wind speed, exposure category, building height, location on the building, and other site and building characteristics can affect the pressures a component must withstand.

A DP rating, on the other hand, represents the pressure a particular product or system has been tested and rated to resist. The key is matching the two: the product's documented capacity must meet or exceed the pressure required at its specific location on the home.

We'll discuss why simply seeing a DP number on a product isn't enough, why documentation and tested assemblies matter, and how installation can ultimately determine whether a rated system performs as intended.

The same principle highlighted in FORTIFIED guidance for roof coverings is essential to understanding design pressures throughout a resilient home: determine the required pressure, verify the tested rating, and install the system according to its approved requirements.

Whether you're a homeowner trying to understand FORTIFIED requirements, a contractor selecting products, or an industry professional working toward a FORTIFIED designation, this episode will help make the numbers behind wind resistance easier to understand.

Have questions about design pressures, opening protection, or the FORTIFIED Home™ program? Contact the team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.