GAF President's Club · GAF's Highest HonorFORTIFIED Roof vs Silver vs Gold, Compared
Three designation levels, one goal: keeping your home together when the wind comes. Here is a plain-English guide to what each level adds, and how to pick the right one for your coastal North Carolina home.
Licensed & InsuredNC #85568 · LA #562192
FORTIFIED comes in three levels: Roof, Silver, and Gold. FORTIFIED Roof is the foundation, hardening the roof itself against wind and water. Silver builds on Roof by protecting attached structures and openings. Gold ties the roof, walls, and foundation into one continuous load path so the whole home acts as a single unit in extreme wind.
What FORTIFIED Roof Covers
FORTIFIED Roof is the starting point, and for good reason. The roof is where wind damage almost always begins, so the IBHS standard focuses there first. It is the level most coastal re-roofs target, and the level the North Carolina grant most often supports.
- A fully sealed roof deck that keeps water out even if shingles are torn away.
- Stronger edges and ring-shank nailing that resist uplift at the perimeter.
- Better-attached shingles rated for higher wind speeds.
- A documented, inspected install that earns a FORTIFIED Roof designation.
How Silver and Gold Go Further
Silver and Gold are for homeowners who want protection beyond the roofline. Each level layers onto the one before it, so you never lose what FORTIFIED Roof already gave you.
- Silver adds protection against wind entering through attached structures like porches and carports, plus reinforced openings.
- Gold adds a continuous load path connecting roof to walls to foundation, so the structure resists extreme wind as one piece.
- Higher levels usually involve engineering and structural work, so they fit best during a larger renovation or new build.
Which Level Is Right for You?
Most homeowners re-roofing along the Outer Banks start at FORTIFIED Roof. It delivers the biggest jump in storm resilience for a standard re-roof and lines up with what the NC FORTIFIED grant typically funds. Silver and Gold make sense when you are already opening up the structure or want the deepest level of whole-home protection. As an IBHS FORTIFIED certified installer, we will walk your home and tell you honestly which level fits.
Roof, Silver, and Gold at a Glance
FORTIFIED Roof
A sealed deck, reinforced edges, ring-shank nails, and better-attached shingles. The roof resists uplift and keeps water out even if shingles are lost. The level most coastal re-roofs and NC grants target.
FORTIFIED Silver
Everything in Roof, plus protection against wind getting in through attached structures like porches and carports, and through openings. A strong choice when you want more than roofline protection.
FORTIFIED Gold
Everything in Silver, plus a continuous load path tying roof, walls, and foundation together. The whole home acts as one unit in extreme wind. Best paired with a major renovation or new build.
GAF President's ClubAward Winner
A Designation Is Only as Good as the Install
FORTIFIED is a verified standard, not a sticker. The deck has to be sealed correctly, the nails placed exactly, the edges fastened to spec, and every step documented for inspection. That is craftsmanship, and it is where our credentials show up.
- IBHS FORTIFIED certified installer, trained to the IBHS standard for all three levels.
- GAF Master Elite, the top 2 percent of roofers nationwide.
- GAF President's Club, the highest honor GAF awards, earned by fewer than half of Master Elite contractors.
- Fifth-generation, family-owned and building roofs since 1836.
How We Get You FORTIFIED
- Free home assessment. We inspect your roof and structure, then talk through Roof, Silver, and Gold so you understand the tradeoffs.
- Pick your level. We recommend the right designation for your home, your goals, and any grant or insurance angle you want to pursue.
- Detailed estimate. You get a clear, written scope with the FORTIFIED requirements spelled out, no surprises.
- Grant and insurance paperwork. If the NC FORTIFIED grant applies, we help you line up the documentation it requires.
- Certified install. Our crews build to the IBHS standard, sealing the deck, nailing to spec, and reinforcing the edges.
- Inspection and designation. An independent evaluator verifies the work and your home earns its FORTIFIED designation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FORTIFIED Roof, Silver, and Gold?
FORTIFIED Roof hardens the roof itself with a sealed deck, reinforced edges, ring-shank nailing, and better-attached shingles. Silver adds everything in Roof plus protection against wind entering through attached structures like porches and carports and through openings. Gold adds a continuous load path tying the roof, walls, and foundation together so the whole home resists extreme wind as one unit.
Which FORTIFIED level should I choose?
Most coastal re-roofing projects start at FORTIFIED Roof, since the roof is where wind damage usually begins and it delivers the biggest resilience gain for a standard re-roof. Silver and Gold fit homeowners doing larger renovations or new construction who want protection beyond the roofline. We will assess your home and recommend the right level during a free estimate.
Does the NC FORTIFIED grant cover all three levels?
The North Carolina grant most often supports the FORTIFIED Roof level, which is why most grant-funded re-roofs target it. We can review your eligibility and help with the documentation. See our NC FORTIFIED grant page for details.
Why does FORTIFIED Roof seal the deck?
A sealed roof deck acts as a secondary water barrier. If high winds tear off shingles during a storm, the sealed deck keeps rain from pouring into your home, which is where the most expensive interior damage usually comes from. It is one of the most valuable upgrades in the entire FORTIFIED standard.
Is Patriots’ Roofing certified to install FORTIFIED roofs?
Yes. We are an IBHS FORTIFIED certified installer, a GAF Master Elite contractor, and a GAF President’s Club award winner. We build to the IBHS standard for all three levels and document the work for the required independent inspection. Learn more on our FORTIFIED roofing page.
Not Sure Which FORTIFIED Level Fits?
We will walk your home, explain Roof, Silver, and Gold in plain terms, and recommend the right one. No pressure, just expert guidance.