Fortified Roofs: Built to Withstand Nature’s Worst
When severe weather threatens your home, the roof is the first and most critical line of defense. A failed roof can lead to catastrophic interior damage, ruined belongings, and displacement from your home for months. That’s exactly why F&M Services Group Inc is proud to be a Certified FORTIFIED Roof™ Contractor—an elite designation held by less than 1% of roofing firms nationwide—as well as a GAF Certified Residential Contractor and a verified partner of the NC Roof Program. We offer homeowners across the Nags Head and Outer Banks regions access to one of the most advanced roofing standards available today.
As a Veteran Owned Company with more than 26 years of experience in storm damage restoration, insurance claims consulting, and exterior construction, we bring a unique blend of military discipline and industry expertise to every Fortified Roof project we take on. Our team provides personal and professional service from start to finish, using superior building products that meet the rigorous standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
What Is a Fortified Roof?
The FORTIFIED Roof program is a voluntary construction and re-roofing standard developed by IBHS to strengthen homes against high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes. More than 100,000 families nationwide have already chosen FORTIFIED, and the program has gained significant traction in coastal and storm-prone areas like Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Colington, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, Duck, Corolla, and the Outer Banks, NC where hurricane threats are an annual reality.
A FORTIFIED Roof isn’t just a marketing label. It’s a science-backed system built around three foundational upgrades that work together to keep wind and water out. When installed correctly by a certified roofer like our team at F&M Services Group Inc, these upgrades can dramatically reduce or eliminate the storm damage that typically devastates conventionally built roofs.
Get Up to $10,000 with the NC “Strengthen Your Roof” Grant Program
Upgrading to the ultimate standard in coastal storm protection is more affordable than ever for North Carolina homeowners. If you carry an active homeowners policy written through the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) on the Outer Banks or Barrier Islands, you may qualify for a state-backed mitigation grant:
- Up to $10,000 in Funding: Eligible NCIUA policyholders can receive a grant of up to $10,000 to heavily offset or completely cover the cost of upgrading to a certified FORTIFIED Roof standard.
- No Income Restrictions: This rolling resilience program is open to all qualifying coastal property owners regardless of household income level.
- Mandatory Insurance Discounts: Once F&M Services Group Inc installs and secures your official IBHS certification, you will unlock mandatory premium discounts on the wind/hail portion of your property insurance.
The Three Core FORTIFIED Roof Requirements
Every Fortified Roof we install must meet specific structural and installation requirements. Here are the key elements that define the standard:
- Stronger Edges: Roof damage often begins at the edges, where wind gets underneath and peels the covering away from the home. FORTIFIED requires a wider drip edge combined with a fully adhered starter strip to create a locked-down edge system that resists uplift.
- Sealed Roof Deck: If wind tears off shingles or panels, the exposed wood deck becomes a gateway for water intrusion. Just one inch of rain on an exposed deck can let in the equivalent of nine bathtubs of water. Sealing the deck seams reduces water intrusion by up to 95%.
- Better Attachment: Instead of using common smooth nails, FORTIFIED requires 8D ring-shank nails installed in an enhanced pattern. This nearly doubles the uplift strength of your roof deck, helping keep the structure attached during extreme winds.
Roof Cover Options That Qualify
One of the great benefits of choosing a Fortified Roof through F&M Services Group Inc is flexibility. The FORTIFIED standard accommodates nearly every type of roof cover, including asphalt shingles, metal panels, tile, and low-slope systems. Each material has its own pros and cons related to cost, weathering, and longevity, and our team helps homeowners select the option that best matches their architecture, climate exposure, and long-term goals.
Asphalt shingles used on a Fortified Roof must meet the highest wind ratings, ASTM D3161 Class F or ASTM D7158 Class H. If a homeowner is also pursuing the optional Hail Supplement, the shingles must be rated Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings, which outperform standard Class 4 shingles when tested against realistic hailstones up to two inches in diameter. Metal panels and tile systems must be tested for site-specific design pressures, and for hail-prone areas, they must also meet the UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.
Why a Fortified Roof Is a Smart Investment
A Fortified Roof isn’t just about peace of mind during the next storm. It often comes with tangible financial benefits, including potential insurance premium discounts in many states, increased home resale value, and reduced out-of-pocket costs after weather events. Many insurance carriers actively reward homeowners who upgrade because the data overwhelmingly shows that Fortified homes survive storms with significantly less damage than conventionally built homes.
Typical roof construction leaves homes vulnerable to even moderate storms. By contrast, a Fortified Roof is engineered to handle hurricane-force conditions, which is precisely why so many homeowners along the Atlantic coast and Outer Banks are upgrading.
Why Choose F&M Services Group Inc for Your Fortified Roof
As Loss Consultants and contractors with deep experience navigating insurance claims, we’re uniquely positioned to handle Fortified Roof installations as part of a broader storm damage restoration project. Whether your roof is being replaced after hurricane damage, hail impact, or simply because you want a stronger, more resilient home, our certified team manages every detail.
We coordinate directly with insurance carriers, mortgage companies, and independent evaluators to ensure your project meets the full FORTIFIED standard and receives the official designation upon completion. Our motto, “One Call Does It All,” reflects our commitment to being your single, trusted resource throughout the entire process. Contact F&M Services Group Inc today to learn how a Fortified Roof and the NC Roof Grant can protect your home for decades to come.
