The FORTIFIED Factor

Knockout Inspections

5.0 (3)
Education
Weekly

An AI assisted podcast discussing all things resilient, reliable and severe-weather ready as it pertains to one of of your most important investments: YOUR HOME! This is a work product of Knockout Inspections. Our company has a team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators ready to answer any and all of your questions. Give us a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO, or visit fortifiedhome.com.

4d ago

Windows and Skylights (Hurricane Designation)

2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard: Windows and Skylights | The FORTIFIED Factor What role do windows and skylights play in protecting a home from severe weather? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we take a closer look at the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and the topic of hurricane-designated windows and skylights. Windows and skylights are important considerations when planning a storm-resilient home. Understanding how these components relate to hurricane protection and the FORTIFIED Home Standard can help builders, contractors, roofing professionals, and homeowners make informed decisions when constructing or improving a home. Tune in to learn more about windows and skylights in the context of the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and why understanding the applicable requirements matters when preparing homes for severe weather. Have questions about the FORTIFIED Home Standard? Contact the FORTIFIED team at (855) GOFORKO to learn more.
Oct 23

FORTIFIED Drip Edge Standard

2025 FORTIFIED Drip Edge Standards | The FORTIFIED Factor What do you need to know about drip edge requirements in the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we explore drip edge standards and their role in storm-resilient roofing systems. Drip edge is an important roofing detail that helps manage water at the roof's edges. Understanding the applicable requirements of the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard can help builders, roofing contractors, and industry professionals better understand roofing details that support a durable, weather-resistant home. Whether you're a roofing professional, builder, contractor, or industry partner, tune in to learn more about the 2025 FORTIFIED drip edge standards and their relevance to FORTIFIED roofing practices. Listen to The FORTIFIED Factor on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms. Have questions about FORTIFIED Home requirements? Call (855) GOFORKO to learn more. #TheFORTIFIEDFactor #FORTIFIEDHome #FORTIFIEDRoof #DripEdge #RoofingStandards #StormResistantRoofing #RoofingContractors #BuildingStandards
Oct 16

Securing Solar: Key Changes to the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard

In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, we’re taking a closer look at the 2025 FORTIFIED Home Standard and what the updated requirements mean for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. As solar becomes an increasingly important part of residential construction, understanding how these systems work alongside a storm-resilient roof is essential. We’ll explore key requirements for solar panel structural support, wind loads, secure anchoring, and coordination between roofing and solar contractors. Whether you’re a roofing professional, solar installer, builder, or industry partner, tune in to learn how these updates help guide the proper design and installation of PV systems on FORTIFIED homes. Join us as we break down the details and discuss what you need to know to help keep solar systems—and the homes they’re installed on—better prepared for severe weather.
Oct 9

Attic and Gable End Vent Covers

When severe weather strikes, could your attic vents be putting your entire home at risk? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by the experienced FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections, explore an often-overlooked component of storm-ready homes: attic and gable end vent coverings. While attic ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy home, these openings can become vulnerable entry points for wind-driven rain during hurricanes and severe storms. Without proper protection, water intrusion can lead to costly damage to insulation, ceilings, walls, and personal belongings. We'll discuss why protecting attic and gable end vents matters, how vent coverings relate to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home™ standard, and what homeowners should understand about potential insurance implications, including FORTIFIED-related discounts and eligibility requirements. Whether you're building a new home, upgrading your existing property, or pursuing a FORTIFIED designation, understanding these small but important details can make a big difference in your home's resilience. Have questions about FORTIFIED requirements or protecting your home? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help! 📞 Call 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)🌐 Visit fortifiedhome.com
Oct 2

Asphalt Shingles - 15 Year Redesignation Eligibility

A major change is coming to FORTIFIED Home™ re-designations—and if your home has asphalt shingles, you need to understand what it means. In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, break down IBHS Technical Bulletin FH 2026-03 and the new re-designation eligibility requirements for homes with asphalt shingle roof systems. Under the new requirements, a FORTIFIED Home with asphalt shingles can generally remain eligible for designation for up to 15 years from the applicable starting point. Because FORTIFIED designations are generally renewed every five years, that effectively limits a qualifying asphalt-shingle roof to the initial designation plus two five-year re-designations before roof replacement is needed to restart eligibility. For an existing roof with a known installation date, however, the 15-year period is measured from the documented roof installation date, not necessarily the initial FORTIFIED designation date. If the installation date is unknown, the home is eligible for a single initial designation term of up to five years and cannot be re-designated until the asphalt shingle roof covering is replaced. We also explain when the new rule takes effect, how it applies to FORTIFIED Roof™, Silver and Gold properties, what happens when an existing designation extends beyond the new eligibility limit, and how replacing an asphalt shingle roof can begin a new eligibility period. One distinction is especially important: the new 15-year limit is a FORTIFIED re-designation eligibility requirement. It does not establish the service life of asphalt shingles or automatically mean a 15-year-old roof needs replacement for other purposes. If you own a FORTIFIED home, are planning to build or re-roof one, or work in roofing, insurance, real estate, construction, or home inspections, this is an episode you’ll want to hear. Have questions about how the new requirements may apply to your home? Contact Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.
Sep 25

The Journey to 100,000 FORTIFIED Designations

What does it take for a resilient construction standard to grow from a regional initiative into a movement with 100,000 designations nationwide? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, trace the remarkable rise of the FORTIFIED program—from roughly 100 designations in 2011 to surpassing 100,000 cumulative designations in May 2026. We break down the journey in three distinct phases: the early slow burn, the years of accelerating adoption, and the explosive growth that followed. Along the way, we explore how grant programs, insurance incentives, increased contractor participation, and growing awareness helped create the momentum behind FORTIFIED’s rapid expansion. You’ll also hear why the 100,000 milestone tells only part of the story. FORTIFIED designations expire after five years unless renewed, raising an important question for the years ahead: Can the incredible growth in new designations translate into equally strong long-term renewal and continued resilience? Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, insurance professional, real estate professional, or simply interested in building homes that are better prepared for severe weather, this episode provides a fascinating look at how FORTIFIED went from a relatively small coastal initiative to a rapidly expanding approach to resilient construction. Have questions about FORTIFIED or want to learn what it could mean for your home? Contact the in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections at 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.
Sep 18

Supplemental Insurance Benefits of FORTIFIED Roofs

A FORTIFIED Roof is designed to help protect your home against severe weather—but could it also provide benefits when it comes to your homeowners insurance? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, explore the supplemental insurance benefits that may be available to homeowners with a FORTIFIED Roof. We discuss how FORTIFIED designation can factor into insurance considerations, why documentation and certification matter, and what homeowners should know when talking with their insurance provider about potential discounts, credits, or other benefits. Whether you already have a FORTIFIED Roof or you're considering upgrading your home, this episode will help you better understand how investing in resilience may have benefits beyond improved protection from severe weather. Insurance benefits, eligibility, and discounts can vary by insurer, policy, location, and designation. Homeowners should confirm available benefits directly with their insurance provider. Have questions about FORTIFIED? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help. Call 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756) or visit fortifiedhome.com.
Sep 11

FORTIFIED Provider Requirements

What does it really take to become a certified FORTIFIED service provider—and what does it take to keep that certification? In this episode of The FORTIFIED Factor, our AI Experts, informed by Knockout Inspections, break down the requirements for FORTIFIED Evaluators, Roofing Contractors, and Professionals working within the FORTIFIED program. We walk through the certification journey, from submitting a provider application and documenting eligibility requirements to completing role-specific training and passing the certification exam. We also discuss what happens after certification, including Provider IDs, technical resources, FOCUS for Evaluators, ongoing credential management, and the requirement to renew training and testing every three years. You’ll also learn about ProfileGorilla’s role in maintaining the FORTIFIED Provider Directory and tracking the credentials providers need to remain current. Whether you’re considering becoming a FORTIFIED Evaluator, roofer, or design professional—or you’re a homeowner wondering what “FORTIFIED certified” actually means—this episode provides a helpful look behind the certification. 🎧 Listen now to “FORTIFIED Provider Requirements” on The FORTIFIED Factor. Have questions about FORTIFIED, the evaluation process, or your home? The in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators at Knockout Inspections are ready to help. 📞 855-GO-FOR-KO (855-463-6756)🌐 fortifiedhome.com The FORTIFIED Factor is an AI-assisted and AI-hosted podcast from Knockout Inspections covering resilient, reliable, and severe-weather-ready homes.

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

An AI assisted podcast discussing all things resilient, reliable and severe-weather ready as it pertains to one of of your most important investments: YOUR HOME! This is a work product of Knockout Inspections. Our company has a team of in-house FORTIFIED Evaluators ready to answer any and all of your questions. Give us a call at 855-GO-FOR-KO, or visit fortifiedhome.com.

Creator

Knockout Inspections
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

85
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Knockout Inspections
Show Website

The FORTIFIED Factor