Class 4 Shingles Costs Pros & Cons Best Impact Resistant Shingles
If your roof lacks proper protection against hail and wind storms, youre bound to experience costly damage. Thats why installing Class 4 shingles is a must, especially if you live in an area with frequent extreme weather.
On average, you can install Class 4 impact resistant asphalt shingles on a 1,600 sq.ft. roof for $4,960 8,950. This is about 10-20% more expensive than classic 3 tab of architectural roof shingles.
But what exactly are Class 4 roof shingles and why are they more expensive than standard asphalt shingles? And which shingle brand should you choose to protect your house?
In this article, youll find out everything you need to know about Class 4 impact resistant shingles, how much they cost, and whether or not they are worth they extra money.
If you are ready to replace your old roof, contact quality roofing pros in your area for FREE estimates.
What Is Impact Resistant Roofing
Roofing materials are rated based on their ability to absorb high impact contact from hail or flying debris. The weakest material receives a rating of one, and the material that can absorb the most impact enjoys a 4 rating. Most roofing material with a class 4 impact rating is considered impact-resistant roofing. A soundly built roof with class 1 material will not last long in a hail prone or high weather area, no matter how much care and attention was put into its construction.
Is Hail Damage A Concern For Metal Roofs And Siding
Is metal more prone to hail damage than other roof types?
Hail damage is no larger of a concern for metal exteriors than it is for other materials. In fact, metal siding and roofing actually has better performance than most other exterior products. There are many factors that affect the degree of hail damage on a roof including:
- Gauge of metal
- Textured finish
- Size of hail
Obviously, thicker gauge panels will perform against hail better than thinner gauges. The more flat your roof is, the harder the hail will hit it, increasing the risk of damage. Ribs and striations help protect against damage more than a flat surface panel. Textured finishes help conceal any denting or scratching. And of course, the more severe the storm and hail, the higher the risk of damage.
Damage
That being said, a typical hail storm is not likely to cause any damage to a metal roof. However, a severe storm with large hailstones may start to produce perceivable denting. Dents may affect the aesthetic of the roof, but they wont compromise its performance. In a very severe storm, there is a risk of puncturing, although the risk for metal roofs is significantly less than other types. Even if the storm is severe enough to cause puncturing of a metal roof, it is still better to know about the damage and repair it right away. In asphalt roofs, the damage is often hard to detect, creating larger problems and more expensive repairs down the road.
Performance
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What Is The Best Roof Material To Prevent Hail
Which Roofing System Performs Best Against Hail? Spray foam – won’t cause a leak and most easily/affordably repaired Metal – very strong, but it can be pinched or crimped, creating leaks BUR – the roof is resistant to hail, the flashings are not Single-ply – thinnest roofing material provides the easiest exposure to cracks
What Is An Impact Resistant Roof
An impact resistant roof is designed to resist damage that results from hail or any flying debris that could potentially damage the roof puncturing, denting or scratching the roof material. These roofs are made from durable materials such as metal.
How resistant a roof is to impact is determined by a standardized test and ranking system.
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Insurance Companies Increasingly Deny Metal Roof Hail Damage Claims
As the storms seem to become more frequent and more intense, the state of Texas finds itself at the center of a crisis with regard to lawsuits for hail damage. It is estimated that lawsuits are filed every day claiming hail caused significant damage to a metal roof and, perhaps predictably, many insurance companies are trying to avoid paying claims by claiming the damage to the roof was cosmetic and did not affect the roofs function at all.
Many metal roof hail damage claims denials are bogus and unfair on their face. The idea that a metal roof cant be damaged by hail except cosmetically is ridiculous. Hail can cause cosmetic dents in the roof, but it can also reduce the lifespan of the roof, harm its water shedding capabilities, and damage seams between metal panels, leading to leaks, which can cause further damage. Therefore, what can sometimes seem to be cosmetic damage to a metal roof can often lead to losses down the road.
Standing Seam Vs Corrugated
The last factor in determining a good choice for a hail resistant roof is choosing the type of metal panel itself. In most cases, a corrugated panel is the best option for pure protection. The corrugation helps deflect and hide any deformities that may occur from a hail storm. Bridger Steel recommends our 7/8″ Structural Corrugated Panel if this is your chosen option. This is our strongest panel, and alongside obtaining a UL 2218 impact rating, it’s also our highest rated panel against wind uplifts .
For those interested in a standing seam panel, we would recommend the 2″ Structural Mechanical Lock with Striations, double-seamed for added protection. The double-seamed rib will provide the best possible protection from a seamed product. The Striations will help give the panel additional rigidity, and hides smaller imperfections better than a flat design.
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Checking Siding For Hail Damage
After a hailstorm, your siding should also be looked at. Substantial hail can cause dents and damage to the siding that indicates the roof should be checked.
Its important to not assume that damage from hail is purely cosmetic. Hail can result in functional damage to your roof and therefore is important to have inspected.
Best Factors To Consider With Hail Damage Waivers:
The cost of your metal roof If you have a large/expensive metal roof , its likely worth it to pay the extra insurance cost to protect it. and make sure it looks good and performs well for years to come. Insurance is intended to cover whats important to you, so if you have tens of thousands of dollars invested in a metal roof, you likely want to make sure its covered both cosmetically and structurally.
Where youre located and frequency of major hail events Again, your location significantly matters, as hail or wind storms are not prevalent in all areas of the United States. If you live in a place like Florida or California, hail damage waivers might not even come up in discussions with insurance providers. Or, if it does, you can feel more confident taking the cosmetic damage exclusion. However, if you live in places like Texas, Colorado, or Kansas, where the likelihood of cosmetic hail damage is higher, you might want to consider not signing a cosmetic hail exclusion waiver.
Roof exposure Every property has different features that might affect the likelihood of damage occurring from hail or wind. For example, if your home or building is beneath trees and could face cosmetic damage from falling branches during a wind event, you might want to avoid signing the exclusion. Or, if you live in an open area where hailstorms are relatively uncommon, signing the cosmetic damage waiver might make a little more sense.
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Are All Shingles And Metal Roofs Class 4 Roofs
Most shingles are not impact rated, and those that are Class 4 run 10-20% more expensive than those that are not Class 4 rated. Many metal roofs are impact resistant and will be rated Class four. McElroy Metal has over two dozen profiles in steel that are Class 4 rated in thicknesses all the way down to 29 gauge. Class 4 ratings in alternative metals such as aluminum and copper are also available .
Hail Damage Waiver & Insurance Coverage Definitions
Now that weve covered the design considerations of a metal roof as it applies to protection from hail damage, the next thing you should do is take a look at your insurance policy. We get hundreds of questions per year about homeowner/property insurance coverage and metal roofing. We understand that it can be a complicated subject that differs from policy to policy, but we think its critical to talk through the topics that we hear most often.
Lets go through some of the common phrases or words used by insurance providers.
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Hail Damage Your Metal Roof
So, if you have a metal roof and it gets hit by a hail storm, what should you do?
Work with the Right Roofing Professional
Again, regardless of what type of roof you have, if your neighborhood gets hit by hail, you will have lots of contractors knocking at your door and roaming around your neighborhood. Many will actually be from several hundred miles away though they will have often somehow obtained a local address that cleverly disguises that fact. Some may even tell you stories such as they were sent by the manufacturer of your roofing to come do an inspection. Dont believe them. No manufacturers do that. They may also push you to just sign a paper allowing them to make and settle an insurance claim on your behalf. Dont do it unless you know and trust the contractor very well and have verified they are local and experienced with your type of roof. You lose all control once that paper is signed, committing yourself to using them as your contractor.
Inspect Your Roof
If you have a metal roof that gets hit by hail, we first suggest that you perform a visual inspection. Walk around your home. If possible, look out of upstairs windows onto lower roofs. Do you have a ladder that will allow you to safely look down into the roof? We do not suggest getting on the roof but just inspect it the best you can. Use binoculars if those are helpful.
Cosmetic and Functional Hail Damage
Thicker Steel Protects Better
When it comes to protecting a roof, the thickness of the metal is a key factor to resisting large-sized hail stones. Bridger Steel recommends a minimum of a 26 gauge steel roofing panel to survive a harsh hail storm. A thicker metal panel will resist punctures and form stronger seams between panels.
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Read Your Insurance Policy Carefully: Look For Cosmetic Damage Exclusions
The problem of denial has become so acute that some insurance companies are writing exclusions for what they call cosmetic damage into their policy. And since their adjusters call virtually all hail damage to a metal roof cosmetic, they are effectively writing policies that cover nothing. In doing so, the insurance companies are claiming that, because minor dents dont allow leaks, reduce the service life of the roof in any significant way, they shouldnt be covered. Unfortunately, these policy exclusions may soon become the norm, especially in areas more prone to hail, such as the Midwest and large parts of Texas.
Insurance companies advertise themselves as protectors and promise to cover everyone when your business or your home is damaged, but in reality their main purpose is to collect as much money as possible and pay out as little as they can get away with. The latest wrinkle, when it comes to excluding cosmetic damage to metal roofs, is unfair and needs to be stopped. Insurance companies need to be held accountable for doing what they say they will do whenever you suffer damage to your property.
Is More Protection Really Better
When it comes to paying extra for a hail-resistant roof, there are some things to consider. While countless homeowners lose their roofs to hail and wind damage each year some areas are more affected by severe storms than others.
Colorado homes often experience strong, damaging storms that result in costly roof repairs and replacement. This is especially true of homes at higher altitudes. These properties can benefit greatly from impact-resistant shingles because they provide long-term roof protection an reduce costs associated with repair and replacement.
While they do cost more initially, impact-resistant shingles can pay for themselves in the long run. Typically, these materials cost 10% to 20% more than their traditional non-impact counterparts. That said, they reduce a homeowners maintenance costs and help prevent premature roof replacement.
Many insurers also provide discounts to homeowners who have a Class 4 roof. This discount can often help offset the increased cost of these shingles.
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What Is A Class Four Roof
Class four is an impact standard used to rate roofing materials like shingles and metal materials.
Underwriters Laboratories is a not-for-profit independent testing organization that delivers the verified information to help consumers make accurate decisions about products like impact-resistant roofing materials. UL developed a test to rate the strength of roofing materials called the UL 2218 Impact Rating, which is the test that determines if a roofing material is Class 1,2,3, or 4.
The hail standard UL 2218 essentially encompasses four different sized metal balls being dropped from different heights . The test is considered failed if there is tearing, fracturing, etc.
How Do Metal Roofs Hold Up To Hail
No doubt about it, choosing the best roofing material can be overwhelming. But for building owners in hail prone areas, it has grown difficult to deny the enhanced durability, longer life-expectancy and increased overall cost-effectiveness offered by metal roofing.
As urban sprawl continues, homes are being built in closer proximity to each other. And while lawn sizes are shrinking, storm related insurance claims are on the rise. Why? Because hail prone cities like Dallas, Denver, and Minneapolis simply have far more homes clustered together in a storms path than they did in the past. Not surprisingly, the damage caused by hail has been on the rise in the US with $8 to $10 billion in hail damage reported annually. Insurance carriers and homeowners alike have begun to look for ways to reduce hail-related claims. Since storms can’t be eliminated, roofing product selection seems to be taking center stage.
For decades, asphalt shingles dominated the residential roofing market simply because they were the cheapest option. But lately between the rise in asphalt shingle prices and homeowners desire for a truly long-term roof solution, consumers are considering different options. Today’s savvy buyers want a product that is recyclable , lasts longer AND holds up better to Mother Nature’s fury at a fair price. Enter the increase in popularity of metal roofing panels.
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Raizner Slania Handle Metal Roof Hail Damage Claims Nationally
If you have suffered damage to a metal roof and the agents for your insurance company are trying to label the damage cosmetic to avoid paying for it, contact the Texas Insurance Attorneys at Raizner Slania LLP as soon as possible, so that we can help you protect your rights. Our attorneys have a long history of fighting insurance companies and winning on hail damage cases and we know how to counter the tactics of insurance companies and get a resolution to your situation.
- 2402 Dunlavy St, Suite 300Houston, TX 77006
What Size Hail Will Damage A Metal Roof
Many metal roofing products have an impact resistance rating of Class 4, which is the highest possible rating. Class 4 products did not crack when they were hit twice in the same spot with a 2-inch ball. It can be different for every roof, but typically, extremely large hail can dent it, while normal-sized cannot.
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Insurance Discounts And Metal Roofing
Having a roof with the UL 2218 certification means that you might be eligible for discounts on your homeowners insurance premiums. However, many insurers will require that you sign a cosmetic damage waiver in exchange for the discount. This waiver means that, if you have a severe storm that causes cosmetic damage to your roof but does not make the panels break open in some way, they will not replace your roof. This would be similar to signing a waiver for your car stating that your insurance would not cover hail damage unless it prevented the car from operating. Our usual suggestion is to not sign the waiver and, therefore, not take the insurance premium discount.
You can rest assured knowing that you have a hail resistant roof, but also that the roof will be replaced if a storm hits that is severe enough to cause cosmetic damage. We feel that giving up compensation for cosmetic damage is not worth the insurance premium discount in most cases.
And, from the insurance companies standpoint, we understand this. They like metal roofs for their hail resistance but they also know that, if they must replace a metal roof, it will be at a higher cost than standard roofing. We appreciate the insurance companies reasoning behind the cosmetic waiver. However, it may not always be in the homeowners best interest, especially in areas prone to frequent severe hail.
How Much Do Impact Resistant Shingles Cost
You may be surprised to learn that Class 4 IR shingles are not a lot more expensive than regular architectural shingles. They are even cheaper than many luxury or premium quality asphalt roof shingles.
On average, for materials only, impact resistant shingles cost $42-50+ per bundle The price varies based on manufacturer, as well as your location. For example, Atlas and Owens Corning IR shingles will be in the $40 per bundle range, where as GAF, and CertainTeed Class 4 shingles will be in the $50+ per bundle range.
Thus, per 100 sq.ft. you are looking to spend $136-150 for materials only. There is also waste of about 10% as well as any applicable taxes in your state. So on a 1,600 sq.ft. simple cape or ranch style roof, you are looking to spend $2,400 2,650 for shingles themselves.
Additionally, you need to add $40-50 per square for roof underlayment, nails, flashing, lead, ridge and hip caps, vents, etc. For a 1,600 sq.ft. roof this ends up being $460-800. This covers all your materials needed to complete the install.
When it comes to professional installation, there really should not be much difference in the cost to install regular vs IR shingles. This should be between $125-300+ per square installed. Most jobs are typically somewhere in the middle: $175-200 per square, average. This includes tear off of one layer of shingles. For a 16 square job this is $2,000-4,800 Typical labor for this job will be around $3,000.
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| $4,960 8,950 |
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