Maine is backing FORTIFIED roofing as a higher standard for storm protection. Here’s what that means for homeowners, how the process works, and where the Leak-Proof Roof® System fits in.
UNITED HOME EXPERTS | JANUARY 15TH, 2026 (last updated May 15th, 2026)
Maine Resilience Initiative • 2026
The State of Maine has taken a clear position: IBHS FORTIFIED Roofing is the gold standard for protecting homes against severe weather. Through contractor certification requirements, public backing, and targeted funding support, Maine is validating what building scientists have known for years. Roofs built to FORTIFIED standards perform significantly better during storms.
United Home Experts developed the Leak-Proof Roof® System to meet or exceed FORTIFIED requirements using 28+ years of New England roofing experience. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we deliver premium roofing systems designed specifically for ice dams, wind uplift, and freeze-thaw cycles that Maine homeowners face.
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a research organization funded by the insurance industry. It is not a product brand. It is a set of building standards proven through full-scale testing to reduce damage during high winds, hail, and hurricanes.
A FORTIFIED Roof designation means the roof system meets specific requirements for:
Maine’s decision to endorse FORTIFIED roofing reflects a growing recognition that severe weather events are not slowing down. Wind, hail, and ice damage to roofs represent some of the most expensive and disruptive claims for both homeowners and insurers.
By supporting a third-party verified standard, Maine is:
This is not experimental. FORTIFIED homes have been tracked through hurricanes, ice storms, and severe wind events across the country. The data consistently shows dramatically lower damage rates compared to code-built homes.
The Leak-Proof Roof System was designed to address the same failure points FORTIFIED targets, with specific engineering for New England conditions. Here’s how our system maps to FORTIFIED requirements:
Maine’s endorsement of FORTIFIED roofing validates the standard. However, the formal FORTIFIED designation process requires a certified evaluator to inspect the work at multiple stages, and Maine currently has limited evaluator availability.
The Leak-Proof Roof System delivers the protection Maine homeowners need without waiting for the evaluator network to expand. Here’s why:
CUSTOM-EVALUATED FOR YOUR HOME
Before any material is ordered, our team walks your roof and determines exactly which components your home needs based on where it sits and how it was built.
BUILT FOR NEW ENGLAND
Designed specifically around ice dams, wind uplift, and freeze-thaw cycles. FORTIFIED is a national standard. LPR is a New England standard.
OWENS CORNING PLATINUM PREFERRED
OC’s highest level of contractor accreditation. Company-level certification, not dependent on a single individual.
Over 61% of the waterproofing your roof provides is hidden underneath the shingles. That’s why we developed the Leak-Proof Roof System using 28+ years of New England roofing experience to protect your home, worry-free.
Core System Components:
Optional components evaluated per home: High-Performance Baffle Ridge Vent, Soffit Vents, Rafter Vents, Aluminum Sidewall Flashing, Chimney Re-Leading, Skylight Flashing, Gutters & Downspouts.
Want to see the quality of our work? Visit: https://unitedhomeexperts.com/our-work/
Maine’s support for FORTIFIED roofing includes public endorsement, contractor certification requirements, and a limited grant program expected to launch in 2026 for eligible homeowners. The grant program involves an evaluator-first process with specific eligibility requirements that will be published by the state when the application portal opens.
Because the grant program is limited and the evaluator network is still expanding, most Maine homeowners interested in FORTIFIED-level protection will pursue it independently. The Leak-Proof Roof System is immediately available and delivers the same core protections without waiting for state program capacity.
Request a free Leak-Proof Roof System estimate from United Home Experts. We serve Maine homeowners from our Portsmouth, NH office with Owens Corning Platinum credentials and 28+ years of New England roofing experience.
Accuracy note: This page provides educational information about FORTIFIED roofing and Maine’s support for the standard. United Home Experts’ Leak-Proof Roof System is designed to meet or exceed FORTIFIED requirements but is not a formal FORTIFIED designation program. The formal FORTIFIED designation process requires independent evaluator verification, and Maine’s evaluator network is still expanding.
Understanding FORTIFIED
Getting FORTIFIED-level protection
