Are fortified roofs worth the money?

For a Treasure Coast or Palm Beach County home, usually yes. The 10 to 20% upcharge for FORTIFIED (the IBHS hurricane-resilience certification) typically pays back in 5 to 8 years. The mechanism is a 5 to 25% wind insurance discount, depending on carrier. The bigger return is hurricane survival. A sealed roof deck cuts water intrusion by up to 95% if the cover blows off. That often saves the interior from total drywall and floor loss. The certification also transfers with a home sale, which most realtors note as a resale advantage in coastal Florida listings.