At Ridgeway Roofing Co LLC, we help homeowners across the Savannah, GA, area choose between a standard roof and a FORTIFIED roofing system. This decision can have a lasting impact on your home's safety and long-term costs. Here is what Richmond Hill and Savannah area homeowners should know before hiring a roofing company for Savannah, GA. Call us today at
912-777-2339 to schedule your free inspection.
What Is a FORTIFIED Roof and How Does It Differ from a Standard Roof?
A FORTIFIED roof is built to a higher performance standard than a conventional code-compliant roof. Standard roofing systems meet local building codes using standard-grade asphalt shingles, basic underlayment, and conventional fastening patterns. They perform adequately under normal conditions but may be more vulnerable to the high wind and hail events that coastal Georgia regularly sees.
FORTIFIED is a voluntary program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) that requires upgraded construction methods and materials beyond code. Key differences include a fully sealed roof deck to block water intrusion, ring-shank nails in an enhanced pattern, reinforced roof edges, and third-party verification by a certified FORTIFIED evaluator. Standard roofs require none of these. When selecting a roofing company for Savannah, GA, verifying that your contractor holds FORTIFIED certification is an important first step.
How Does Wind and Hail Performance Compare in Coastal Georgia?
FORTIFIED roofs significantly outperform standard roofs in coastal storm conditions. Research following Hurricane Sally found that homes with a FORTIFIED roof experienced up to 73% fewer insurance claims compared to homes built to standard code. That is a measurable real-world difference for homeowners in Bryan County and coastal Georgia who face named storms from June through November.
Standard shingles rated to minimum code may hold up in mild wind events, but they are not engineered to resist the water intrusion and wind-lift combination that coastal storms produce. As a trusted roofer serving Savannah, GA, our team builds to address exactly those failure points.
Insurance Discounts and Warranty Coverage
Insurance savings are a practical reason many homeowners consider upgrading. The Georgia Underwriting Association Mitigation Program specifies discounts for FORTIFIED construction, and some insurers offer additional savings when the IBHS standard is met. We always recommend checking directly with your insurer, as savings vary by carrier and coverage type.
FORTIFIED certified installations may also access stronger manufacturer warranties than standard installs. A FORTIFIED designation is valid for five years and requires a re-inspection to maintain. We walk every homeowner through both the re-inspection timeline and warranty terms before work begins.
Ready to Upgrade Your Roof in Savannah, GA?
As one of the first FORTIFIED certified roofing companies in the Savannah area, Ridgeway Roofing Co LLC proudly serves Richmond Hill and surrounding coastal communities. As a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster and CertainTeed Certified FORTIFIED Roofing contractor, we bring the technical credentials and local knowledge your home deserves.
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