CertainTeed Announces FORTIFIED™ Roof Certification And Two New Products For Enhanced Performance And Durability
MALVERN, Pa., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CertainTeed®, a leading North American manufacturer of sustainable building materials, has announced a new collaborative effort with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), reinforcing its commitment to resilient and durable construction. As a result of this initiative, CertainTeed now offers a complete roofing system that meets the rigorous standards of the IBHS FORTIFIED™ Roof program.
FORTIFIED Roof is a nationally recognized standard designed to strengthen homes against severe weather, including high winds, hail, and heavy rains, and goes beyond typical building codes, providing a unified system of products and installation methods proven to increase a home's resilience and reduce potential damage.
As part of its commitment to innovation and home resilience, CertainTeed is also introducing two new roofing components engineered to meet FORTIFIED Roof standards:
- CertaSeam™ Roof Tape: A roof deck joint tape designed to seal deck seams and prevent water intrusion during high-wind events. This critical component plays a key role in a FORTIFIED Roof designation.
- SwiftStart® SA Starter Shingle: A self-adhering, water-resistant rolled starter that offers fast installation and dependable protection. It enhances the overall weather-tight integrity of CertainTeed's roofing systems.
A broad range of CertainTeed roofing products meet the FORTIFIED Roof criteria. Each component is engineered to work together, providing a layered defense and high-performance protection in any climate. This comprehensive system includes the newly introduced CertaSeam™ Roof Tape for sealing roof deck joints, along with a variety of waterproofing underlayments such as WinterGuard® PRO, WinterGuard® Sand/Granular, and water-resistant options like Grace Vycor™ Ice and Water Shield®, Grace Vycor™ Ice and Water Shield® HT, RoofRunner®, and DiamondDeck®. To ensure optimal edge protection, the SwiftStart® SA Starter Shingle adds another layer of defense.
A range of shingles can be used to meet the FORTIFIED Roof Hurricane or High Wind criteria as well, including Landmark® TL, Landmark® TL Solaris®, Landmark® Premium, Landmark® PRO, Landmark®, Belmont® IR, Grand Manor®, Carriage House®, and Presidential® Shake® IR. The Landmark® ClimateFlex®, NorthGate® ClimateFlex® meet the criteria for an additional Hail supplement to a FORTIFIED designation. For proper attic ventilation, CertainTeed offers 12" filtered and unfiltered ridge vents, as well as rolled ridge vents. To complete the system, compatible hip and ridge caps such as Shangle® Ridge, Shadow Ridge ClimateFlex®, and Cedar Crest® IR help ensure lasting performance and resilience.
"CertainTeed is proud to align with the IBHS FORTIFIED standards, ensuring our roofing systems deliver long-term durability and unmatched performance for all homeowners," said James White, Senior Product Manager, Residential Roofing at CertainTeed. "Our expanding portfolio of FORTIFIED-compliant products reflects our commitment to preventing avoidable storm-related losses and supporting homeowners in building more resilient homes to achieve our goal of making the world a better home."
FORTIFIED homes are scientifically proven to be more resilient than those built to standard codes. In addition to peace of mind, homeowners in more than a dozen states may also benefit from financial incentives, including insurance discounts, grants, and tax credits. These benefits are currently available in Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. In other states—including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas—similar incentives may be available for homes with qualifying upgrades. Beginning November 1, 2025, contractors must be FORTIFIED Certified to complete eligible installations in participating programs.
Whether building new, re-roofing, or retrofitting, the FORTIFIED Roof standard helps ensure homes are better protected against both everyday weather and extreme storms. CertainTeed's high-performance products make it easier for contractors and homeowners to meet these standards and build stronger, safer homes.
Please visit www.certainteed.com to learn more about CertainTeed's industry-leading solutions. For more information on IBHS FORTIFIED Roof, please visit FORTIFIEDHome.org.
About CertainTeed
With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home.
A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. www.certainteed.com
About Saint-Gobain
Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".
€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050
About FORTIFIED
FORTIFIED is a voluntary resilient construction and re-roofing program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to strengthen homes and businesses against severe weather, including high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Visit fortified.org to learn more about the program, including the designation process.
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SOURCE CertainTeed