The FORTIFIED Factor

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 roofWhy vertical separation and proper edge detailing matterWhat happens when an accessory roof meets the main roof at the eave or edgeWhen BOTH roofs must meet FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof requirementsHow certain configurations may limit eligibility to Existing Roof designation onlyDocumentation requirements and compliance verification stepsSpecial considerations for Silver and Gold designationsOne 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.comOur team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators is ready to help you build resilient, reliable, and severe-weather ready.

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 systemsHow tile attachments must meet or exceed site-specific wind uplift pressuresApproved installation methods, fasteners, and adhesivesWhy mortar-set tiles are not permitted under the FORTIFIED standardSpecial considerations for hip and ridge boards, fasteners, and roof deckingWhether 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.

Leaf Gutters and Guards: What Homeowners Need to Know for a FORTIFIED RoofGutters 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 eventsHow existing gutters can impact New Roof vs. Existing Roof FORTIFIED designationsWhen leaf guards are allowed—and when they disrupt the roof’s load pathInstallation best practices that help protect against water intrusion and wind damageIf 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 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 spheresWhy granule loss and deformation matter just as much as visible cracksThe difference between “Good” and “Excellent” hail performance ratingsWhy not all “impact-resistant” shingles perform the same in real stormsWhat homeowners should know when choosing a roof in hail-prone areasIf 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

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, andWhen documentation from the shingle manufacturer may allow a diverter to remain installedWhether 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.

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.

Are you a roofing contractor or builder trying to stay ahead of the new 2025 FORTIFIED® Home Standard? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) break down the stricter requirements that now define what it means to be a truly resilient, storm-ready roofing professional. We cover why IBHS raised the bar for roof performance nationwide, what the November 1, 2025 cutoff means for your projects, and how to adapt your crews, materials, and documentation so your work still qualifies for FORTIFIED designations and homeowner insurance benefits.You’ll learn:The hard deadline: which projects must follow the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and which can still use the 2022 standardHow tighter nailing patterns, minimum sheathing thickness, and mandatory sealed roof decks change your day-to-day installsWhy IBHS-rated impact-resistant shingles are now required for FORTIFIED hail requirements (legacy “Class 4” isn’t enough)The new rules for roof-mounted equipment like solar panels, HVAC units, and satellite dishesWhat “no more sloppy documentation” really means: high-res, time-stamped, geo-tagged photo verification layer-by-layerThe mandatory contractor certification requirements to keep your roofs eligible for FORTIFIED designationsThe updated time-in-business requirement: lowered from 7 years to just 2 years, opening the door for high-performing newer companiesHow the online FORTIFIED Roof 2025 training and exam work (tight timelines, 85% passing score, 3 attempts)The step-by-step path to becoming a listed FORTIFIED service provider and turning compliance into a competitive edgeWhether you’re a seasoned roofing company or a fast-growing contractor, this episode helps you turn a looming standard into a market advantage—and avoid losing jobs, designations, or future insurability because your installs no longer qualify.🎧 Hosted by AI Experts (informed by Knockout Inspections) on The FORTIFIED Factor—your AI-assisted, AI-hosted guide to resilient, reliable, severe-weather-ready homes.👉 Have questions after the episode? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com to connect with a FORTIFIED Evaluator and get clarity on your next roofing project.