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Roof Installation & FORTIFIED™ Roofing in Southeast Louisiana

A new roof in Louisiana isn’t just a curb-appeal project — it’s a resilience upgrade. Between tropical storms, long rain events, and temperature swings, your home needs a roofing system that does more than pass code. Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) installs code-plus systems and offers FORTIFIED™ upgrades that tighten the envelope, resist wind-driven rain, and help protect the rooms you live in every day.

This page explains our installation process, the materials and details that matter on the Gulf Coast, and how FORTIFIED™ brings it all together into a system engineered for severe weather. You’ll also find practical guidance on pricing factors, insurance documentation, and how to decide between standard and enhanced scopes. If you’re comparing bids, use this as a checklist of what should be included — not just shingles, but deck fastening, underlayments, flashing, edge securement, and balanced ventilation.

Two-story red-brick home with architectural shingle roof and bronze seamless gutters
Architectural shingle roof installation with seamless bronze gutters

Why Choose a FORTIFIED™ Roof in Louisiana

Typical building code focuses on minimum life-safety — not necessarily the performance you want when wind and rain push a roof to its limits. FORTIFIED™ adds a proven set of measures to control water where most failures start: the deck and the edges. Think of it as a system specification: sealed deck, upgraded fasteners, locked-down eaves and rakes, robust underlayments, and balanced ventilation. Each part is valuable; together they dramatically reduce loss.

Key outcomes homeowners care about

  • Roof stays attached and watertight longer under uplift and wind-driven rain.
  • Far less interior water damage if shingles are lost.
  • A documented spec that many insurers understand and may credit.

Tip: Your roof is a weather system, not just a shingle color. Investing in the hidden layers prevents the visible problems.

FORTIFIED™ levels and what we install

Most single-family projects target FORTIFIED Roof because it focuses on the deck, fasteners, edges, and underlayment — the highest-ROI pieces for wind and rain. We can also help plan toward Silver or Gold in new construction or major retrofits.

If you’ve experienced leaks after a storm, or you want your next reroof to be the last one for a long time, a FORTIFIED-inspired scope is the most practical way to buy peace of mind in our climate.

Our Roof Installation Process (Step by Step)

We plan, install, and document your roof like a system. Here’s how a standard reroof with optional FORTIFIED upgrades typically runs:

  1. Assessment & scope. We inspect decking exposure, slopes, valleys, penetrations, and attic ventilation. You’ll see material choices (architectural or Class 4 shingles, or metal) and line-item options for sealed deck, fastener upgrades, and edge securement.
  2. Protection & tear-off. Siding and landscaping are protected; existing materials are removed down to the deck for a reliable substrate — critical for long-term performance.
  3. Deck fastening & repair. Panels are re-nailed to embedment targets; deteriorated sections are replaced. This is where uplift resistance starts.
  4. Sealed roof deck. We apply peel-and-stick at all panel seams (or full coverage where required). The goal is simple: keep water out even if outer coverings are lost.
  5. Underlayment system. High-performance synthetic underlayment across the field; ice/water membranes at eaves, valleys, transitions, and penetrations per spec.
  6. Edge securement. Starter shingles with continuous adhesive, drip edge sized and fastened to resist uplift, tight rake details — the perimeter matters most.
  7. Shingle or panel install. Architectural or impact-rated shingles installed to manufacturer specs with enhanced nailing patterns where specified; or standing-seam metal assembled with coastal exposure in mind.
  8. Flashing & penetrations. New step/apron flashing, boots, and counter-flashing at chimneys and sidewalls; skylight kits as needed. This is the second major leak pathway we eliminate.
  9. Balanced ventilation. Ridge vents matched with soffit intake to remove attic heat and moisture, protect the deck, and help shingles last.
  10. Cleanup & documentation. Magnetic sweep, debris removal, and photo documentation for your records and (if applicable) insurer.

Note: If you’re filing a claim, we’ll align our scope with what’s covered and show sensible upgrades (like sealed deck) that reduce future losses and are often worth paying out-of-pocket.

Materials, Options & What We Recommend Here

Architectural shingles

Our standard baseline is a quality architectural shingle with algae-resistant granules and a robust manufacturer system warranty. For many homes this is the best cost-to-value choice when combined with sealed deck and edge securement.

  • Excellent appearance with layered profiles and popular coastal colors.
  • Manufacturer systems enable extended warranties when installed to spec.
  • When hail is a concern, consider upgrading to Class 4 impact-rated shingles.

Metal roofing

Standing seam and premium ribbed panels bring durability and reflectivity. In hurricane-prone areas, metal can offer superior uplift resistance when paired with correct fasteners and substrate prep.

  • Long service life and excellent heat reflectance.
  • Great for low debris zones or where homeowners want a distinctive look.
  • Requires disciplined detailing at transitions and penetrations.

Underlayments & hidden layers

Underlayments do the quiet work: managing water, providing temporary dry-in, and protecting the deck. We use high-performance synthetics in the field and peel-and-stick membranes at all vulnerable points. In upgraded scopes, seams are sealed, creating a continuous water barrier over the wood.

  • Self-adhered strips at panel seams or full-coverage membranes as specified.
  • Valley, eave, and transition membranes to stop concentrated water flow.
  • Proper laps and fastener placement to prevent telegraphed leaks.

The Sealed Roof Deck Advantage

Wind pries at edges, strips coverings, and drives rain into gaps. Once rain reaches the deck, it looks for a path into the attic and living spaces. A sealed roof deck interrupts that pathway. If a storm removes some shingles, the membrane over seams and vulnerable areas helps keep water out long enough to save drywall, insulation, and flooring.

  • Better than “felt only”. Synthetics alone are not a water seal at panel seams; sealing the seams is the game-changer.
  • Compatible with both shingle and metal. The sealed deck lives below the exterior covering and works with either system.
  • Long-term value. Many of the worst loss costs start with wet insulation and hidden mold after a storm. Sealed decks cut that risk.

Result: Even after shingle loss, your home has a second line of defense. That’s the core of FORTIFIED thinking.

Fasteners, Perimeter & Uplift Control

Uplift forces target the perimeter first. That’s why starter courses, drip edge sizing and fastening, and nailing schedules aren’t footnotes — they’re the heart of storm performance. We re-nail decking to spec, use enhanced shingle nailing patterns or ring-shank fasteners where called for, and build the eave and rake like a fortified rim.

  • Ring-shank or enhanced nail counts where specified; correct shank diameter and length.
  • Continuous starter adhesive at eaves and rakes for shingle systems.
  • Metal edge securement sized and fastened to resist coastal uplift demands.

Flashing Details & Balanced Ventilation

Most leaks trace to flashing and penetrations. We replace step and apron flashing at sidewalls and chimneys, set new boots at pipes, and add counter-flashing where masonry demands it. At the same time, we correct attic airflow with ridge vents paired with soffit intake. Balanced ventilation removes heat and moisture, protects the deck, reduces energy waste, and helps shingles keep their granules longer.

  • New flashing kits at skylights and complex transitions.
  • Continuous ridge vent with matched soffit intake for true cross-venting.
  • Code-plus details around dead-valleys and wall-to-roof intersections.

Insurance, Documentation & Potential Savings

We can’t promise a specific discount — that’s between you and your carrier — but we can make sure your installation has the elements they tend to credit: sealed deck, edge securement, enhanced fasteners, and documented materials. If you pursue a formal FORTIFIED verification, we’ll coordinate required photos and paperwork so you aren’t guessing what to submit.

  • Bid clarity: our proposals separate standard and FORTIFIED-inspired items so you can see what you’re buying.
  • Photo & material logs: we document hidden layers for your records and for conversations with your agent.
  • Practical advice: we’ll explain where upgrades deliver the most value in our parishes and counties.

Roof Pricing Factors (What Affects Your Investment)

Every roof is unique, but the same variables drive cost in Louisiana and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Use these to understand why bids differ and what’s worth upgrading:

  • Roof size & pitch. Steeper and larger roofs require more staging, safety, and labor hours.
  • Deck condition. Re-nailing and panel replacement add materials and time — and add reliability.
  • Underlayment strategy. Field synthetics vs. peel-and-stick at seams or as full coverage.
  • Exterior system. Architectural vs. Class 4 shingles, or standing-seam metal with accessories.
  • Flashing & penetrations. Chimneys, skylights, dead-valleys, and complex walls increase detail time.
  • Ventilation upgrades. Adding soffit intake and ridge vents is modest cost for meaningful benefit.
  • FORTIFIED™ scope. Sealed deck, enhanced fasteners, edge securement, and optional verification.

Good to know: Stronger scopes often cost a little more up front and a lot less after a storm. Avoid the “cheapest” bid that hides weak points you’ll pay for later.

Built for Local Codes — and Beyond

We install to local codes across Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, East Baton Rouge and neighboring parishes — and then go beyond code where it matters most in coastal exposures. Edges, fasteners, underlayments, and ventilation are tuned for real-world wind and rain, not just a plan check.

If you’re building an addition or planning a full exterior refresh, ask about aligning schedules so we can coordinate flashing with siding, gutters, and trim — a little planning here prevents leaks later.

Service Area — Southeast Louisiana & the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Louisiana

  • New Orleans (Orleans Parish)
  • Jefferson Parish — Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey, Marrero
  • St. Tammany Parish — Slidell, Mandeville, Covington
  • East Baton Rouge Parish — Baton Rouge & nearby

Mississippi Gulf Coast

  • Hancock County — Bay St. Louis, Waveland
  • Harrison County — Gulfport, Biloxi
  • Jackson County — Ocean Springs, Pascagoula
  • Picayune & surrounding communities

Ask about travel for projects outside these areas.

FAQs

Do I need a full replacement to get FORTIFIED™?

Usually, yes. The sealed deck, fasteners, and edge details are best implemented during a reroof. For certain conditions we can discuss retrofit paths.

Are Class 4 shingles worth it?

If hail or debris is a concern, Class 4 impact-rated shingles paired with sealed deck and proper nailing significantly improve performance.

Will my insurance premium go down?

Many carriers recognize mitigation or FORTIFIED measures but policies vary. We’ll document your scope and help you talk to your agent.

Get Your Free Roof Estimate

Ready to install a new roof — or upgrade to a FORTIFIED™ system built for Louisiana’s storms? Our licensed team will assess your roof, explain options, and provide a clear, written proposal with standard and enhanced scopes.

Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) — call your nearest office or request a free estimate online:

(985) 643-6611 · Slidell/Lacombe & Northshore | (504) 833-1835 · New Orleans/Jefferson | (985) 626-3755 · Mandeville/Covington | (225) 766-4244 · Baton Rouge | (228) 467-7484 · Mississippi Gulf Coast