The FORTIFIED Factor

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, the AI Experts informed by Knockout Inspections break down one of the most important topics in resilient construction: foundation requirements for FORTIFIED eligibility.

Listeners will learn which foundation types are eligible for FORTIFIED Roof, which foundation conditions can make a home ineligible, and why dry-stack foundations are a major concern. The episode also explains how eligibility changes between FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, and FORTIFIED Gold, including when positive anchorage to the foundation is required and what documentation evaluators need to verify compliance.

This episode is especially helpful for homeowners, builders, contractors, real estate professionals, and anyone exploring how to make a home more severe-weather ready, more reliable, and more resilient. It also highlights key distinctions for homes with slab-on-grade foundations, stem walls, piers or pilings, and HUD-Code manufactured homes. Based on the referenced technical bulletin, positive attachment to the foundation is no longer required for FORTIFIED Roof eligibility, but it remains required for FORTIFIED Silver and FORTIFIED Gold. The bulletin also states that homes on dry-stack masonry or stone foundations are not eligible unless properly retrofitted, and that evaluators must document foundation type and, in some cases, anchorage details. 

If you have questions about your home’s eligibility, foundation type, or next steps toward a FORTIFIED designation, contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.

When it’s time to replace a roof, what happens if the existing roof already has a self-adhered membrane installed on the deck? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, the AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the engineering guidance behind reroofing over self-adhered membranes and what homeowners, contractors, and inspectors need to know to stay FORTIFIED-compliant.

Self-adhered polymer-modified bitumen membranes are widely used in the FORTIFIED Roof™ sealed roof deck system because they adhere directly to the roof deck and can remain in place even if the roof covering is lost during severe weather.  But that durability can raise an important question: How do you reroof when the membrane is bonded to the decking?

In this episode, we cover:

• Why self-adhered membranes are a powerful defense against wind-driven rain
• The challenges of removing adhered underlayment during reroofing
• When installing a second layer of self-adhered membrane is allowed
• When a two-ply felt sealed roof deck system can be used instead
• Why closed-cell spray foam full-fill applications are not accepted for this scenario
• How inspectors verify the condition of the roof deck from the attic
• The documentation required for a FORTIFIED re-roof project

If you’re planning a reroof, working toward a FORTIFIED Home™ designation, or simply want to better understand how resilient roofing systems work, this episode explains the technical bulletin guidance in clear, practical terms.

A stronger roof means a stronger home—and better protection when severe weather strikes.

Have questions about FORTIFIED roofing or reroofing projects?
Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to learn more.

When it comes to resilient, reliable, and severe-weather-ready homes, every layer of your roof system matters — especially when unique materials like fiberglass resin deck coatings are involved.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the latest guidance from FORTIFIED Engineering Standards on the eligibility of existing fiberglass resin deck coatings as roof covers in FORTIFIED Home™ designations.

Based on FORTIFIED Product Advisory FH 2023-01 (released June 6, 2023) , we explore:

• ✅ When a fiberglass-covered roof deck does not impact your FORTIFIED designation
• ⚠️ When fiberglass coatings must be removed and replaced to qualify
• 🏠 The key difference between areas over living space vs. non-living space
• 📘 How the 2025 FORTIFIED Home™ Standard applies to low-slope roof covers

If your home has rooftop decks, walking surfaces, or fiberglass resin applications tied into the main roof system, this episode is a must-listen. Understanding these distinctions could mean the difference between qualifying — or not — for a FORTIFIED designation.

As always, we simplify the technical standards so homeowners can make confident, informed decisions about protecting their most important investment.

Accessory roof structures—like porches, carports, patio covers, sunrooms, and pergolas—can make or break your home’s FORTIFIED Roof™ designation.

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down IBHS Technical Bulletin FH 2023-03: Eligibility and Compliance of Accessory Roof Structures and explain how these structures impact your home’s ability to achieve a FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof or Existing Roof designation.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The difference between an accessory roof that is completely separate vs. tied into the main roof
• Why vertical separation and proper edge detailing matter
• What happens when an accessory roof meets the main roof at the eave or edge
• When BOTH roofs must meet FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof requirements
• How certain configurations may limit eligibility to Existing Roof designation only
• Documentation requirements and compliance verification steps
• Special considerations for Silver and Gold designations

One of the biggest takeaways? If any roof—low slope or accessory—is connected to the main roof cover, BOTH roof systems must meet FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof requirements with full documentation submitted to IBHS. If edge detail requirements cannot be properly installed or documented along the intersection, the home may not qualify for the New Roof designation.

Whether you're a homeowner planning a re-roof, a contractor evaluating project scope, or a FORTIFIED Evaluator navigating compliance, this episode helps you identify potential red flags before they delay or derail your designation.

Accessory structures may seem minor—but when it comes to high-wind resilience, they play a major role in protecting your most important investment: your home.

Have questions about your roof configuration or FORTIFIED eligibility?

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

Our team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators is ready to help you build resilient, reliable, and severe-weather ready.

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