Living on the coast of North Carolina is unmatched—you get the beaches, the breeze, and a one-of-a-kind coastal lifestyle. But you also get hurricanes, tropical storms, nor’easters, and wind-driven rain. Around here, your roof isn’t just a roof—it’s your home’s primary defense system.

And when it comes to storm resilience and long-term protection, not all roofs are created equal.

At Fortitude Roofing, we specialize in roofing systems engineered for Eastern North Carolina’s harsh wind and weather conditions. Below, we break down in clear, homeowner-friendly language what a FORTIFIED Roof™ is, why it outperforms a standard roof, and why it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make for your home.

What Is a FORTIFIED Roof™? (Plain-English Explanation)

A FORTIFIED Roof™ is a roofing system built to standards above and beyond basic building code. Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), its purpose is simple:

Make homes significantly stronger against hurricanes, high winds, and wind-driven rain.

Here’s what sets a FORTIFIED Roof apart:

Built to stricter engineering-backed standards
Verified by a certified independent evaluator
Comes with an official FORTIFIED certificate for insurance and resale

This is not a marketing term. A FORTIFIED Roof is a proven, science-based system designed to help your home perform better during severe weather—and give you real, documentable peace of mind.

Why FORTIFIED Roofs Matter in Coastal North Carolina

If you live in Wilmington, Hampstead, Topsail, Swansboro, Morehead City, Leland, New Bern, or any surrounding coastal community, you know storms escalate fast—and your roof takes the brunt of it.

Common roofing failures we see include:

Shingle blow-off from high coastal winds
Leaks around edges, flashing, and penetrations
Poor installation showing up only after a storm
Homeowners stuck in insurance disputes

A FORTIFIED Roof addresses the weakest points in traditional roofing, especially:

Roof deck attachment
Waterproof underlayment
Roof edges and drip protection

And when installed by Fortitude Roofing’s coastal-focused, high-performance installation team, your roof becomes a true defense system—not just a code-minimum covering.

Standard Roof vs. a Fortitude FORTIFIED Roof: What’s the Difference?

A lot of homeowners assume a roof is a roof. But when storms hit, the details, materials, and craftsmanship make all the difference.

Here’s how our systems compare.

1. Fasteners & Nailing Technique

Most roofs:

Pneumatic nail guns
Smooth shank nails
Inconsistent placement

Fortitude Roofing:

Hand-nailed installation for maximum precision
Ring-shank nails with superior holding strength
Installed to exceed FORTIFIED + manufacturer standards

Why it matters:
Nails are often the first point of failure in high winds. Better nails + proper installation = dramatically better wind performance.

2. Underlayment & Waterproofing

Most roofs:

Basic synthetic felt or standard deck tape
Granulated Ice & Water barrier

Fortitude Roofing:

High-temp Ice & Water membrane (GAF StormGuard)
Built-in bond break for easier future repairs
Better traction for installer safety

Why it matters:
If shingles blow off, your underlayment becomes the last barrier between your home and water intrusion.

3. Shingle Quality & Weight

Most roofs:

Standard-weight shingles (210–220 lbs per square)
Commonly big-box store quality

Fortitude Roofing:

CertainTeed Landmark Pro as our minimum standard
~250 lbs per square for superior wind resistance

Why it matters:
Heavier shingles resist tearing and blow-off during hurricanes—extending the life of your roof.

4. Roof Edges & Vulnerable Penetrations

Most roofs:

Basic F5 drip edge
Pipe boots that crack in 5–7 years

Fortitude Roofing:

Custom F8 drip edge with 6″ coverage
Lifetime pipe boots rated for 30+ years

Why it matters:
Most leaks start at edges and penetrations, not the main field of shingles.

5. Project Oversight & Documentation

Most roofs:

Little supervision
Minimal communication
No documentation

Fortitude Roofing:

Dedicated on-site project manager
Real-time photo documentation
Coordination with FORTIFIED evaluators

Why it matters:
Accountability, transparency, and documentation protect you during insurance claims and future resale.

Does a FORTIFIED Roof Cost More?

Yes—upfront. But the long-term savings and protection make it one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make.

You’re paying for:

Premium coastal-grade materials
Hand-nailed precision installation
Extra documentation & evaluation
A roof engineered to outlast severe weather

A standard roof is cheaper up front—but far more expensive in repairs, headaches, and storm season stress.

How a FORTIFIED Roof Saves You Money

1. Insurance Discounts

Many North Carolina carriers offer wind and hail premium discounts for FORTIFIED Roofs—especially with Class 4 impact-rated shingles.

2. Fewer Storm-Related Repairs

Better materials + better installation = fewer emergency repairs after hurricanes.

3. Better Resale Appeal

Buyers trust documentation:

FORTIFIED certificate
Photo records
Installation by a leading local roofing company

4. Priceless Peace of Mind

Knowing your home is built for the environment it lives in is an unmatched benefit for coastal families.

Financing, Grants & Insurance Support

We help make high-quality roofing accessible:

Financing through partners like Enhancify
Support with Strengthen Your Roof grants
Detailed reports for insurance
Expertise in both retail and insurance restoration

We make the process clear, supportive, and stress-free.

Our 6-Step High-Performance Roofing Process

1. Pre-Job Planning

Customized checklist, material confirmation, roof review.

2. Roof Deck & Attic Inspection

We inspect the attic to ensure structural integrity.

3. Dedicated On-Site Project Management

Your PM oversees installation, quality, and documentation.

4. Internal Final Inspection

Our team verifies every detail before closing out your project.

5. Third-Party FORTIFIED Evaluation

Independent verification for official IBHS certification.

6. Ongoing Support & Maintenance

Annual inspections, storm checkups, and maintenance plans.

Why Coastal Homeowners Choose Fortitude Roofing

Homeowners across Carteret, Craven, Onslow, Pender, New Hanover, Brunswick, Jones, and Beaufort counties choose us for:

Integrity & Trust

No scare tactics. No shortcuts. No disappearing acts.

Craftsmanship That Exceeds Code

Hand-nailing. Ring-shank fasteners. Landmark Pro shingles. Custom F8 metalwork.

Community Impact

Every job supports:

NC Autism Society
Local youth sports
Sheriffs’ Associations
First responder programs

Clear, Proactive Communication

Photos. Education. Honest guidance—never pressure.

We’re not storm chasers. We’re a licensed North Carolina roofing contractor (GC License #99344) with offices in Swansboro & Leland.

Is a FORTIFIED Roof Right for You?

A FORTIFIED Roof is ideal if:

You live in a coastal or wind-prone area
Your roof is aging or frequently repaired
You want fewer storm emergencies
You want long-term protection—not a bare-minimum roof
You value quality over the cheapest bid

If you’re not sure, we’ll help you decide.

Schedule Your FORTIFIED-Focused Roof Inspection

Get a detailed professional inspection with:

Photo documentation
Honest recommendations
Guidance on FORTIFIED roofing
Help with financing & grants
A team that treats your home like our own

Contact our Swansboro or Leland office or request an inspection at Fortitude Roofing online. We’ll walk your roof with you, show you what we see, and help you make a confident long-term decision for your home and family.