Roof Toughness : Why You Need Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles
How tough does your roof need to be?
First, consider the kind of climate youre dealing with year-round. Is hail ever an issue? Is it windy where you live? Harsh conditions often signal a need for impact resistant shingles.
If extreme weather conditions seem even a remote possibility , go for the tough stuff. You need a roofing shingle that has been lab tested by the roofing manufacturer and is proven to withstand hail and provide reliability in your building envelope. A Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingle will provide these benefits and more, including insurance discounts in some areas.
This is why you need NorthGate.
What Is The Best Roofing Option For Hail
When you think about a hail proof roof you need to consider the entire roof system.
This includes not only the roof covering material but the deck, valley metal, other metal flashing details, vent pipes and skylights.
Under typical hail-forming conditions, faster uplifting winds result in larger hailstones.
Those winds can cause the larger hailstones to travel with greater velocity.
In order to adequately protect the people beneath it, a hail-proof roof must be impact resistant and durable.
Each of the following roofs has its own level of impact resistance but you must also consider the substrate to which the roofing material is attached to.
Impact Resistant Roof Shingles: Are They Worth It
Can you think of a single person who enjoys repairing or replacing his or her homes roof? No one likes spending the time or money it takes to get an updated roof due to damage and wear.
Over time, your roof shingles experience damage and deterioration, and one of the largest factors for this destruction is the weather. Hail and wind are major weather factors that can cause extreme damage and leave your home defenseless.
Denver homes experience their fair share of winter storms involving, snow, ice, hail, and extreme winds. And with these storms, roof repair becomes inevitable. So, what if there was a roofing material that could help prevent damage from the storms and lessen your need for roof repair and replacement?
Many homeowners are replacing their old worn-out shingles for new, impact resistant shingles to help combat mother natures sting. But are IR shingles really worth the investment?
Our team at Refined Exteriors has compiled answers to some common questions about IR shingles to help you make the best decision for your home.
Recommended Reading: What Is An Asphalt Shingle Roof
Benefits Of Impact Resistant Shingles
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it? For many homeowners, the answer is yes. Class 4 impact resistant shingles offer many benefits, including:
- Meet building codes: Some local building codes at the city or country level may require you to install Class 4 impact resistant shingles when you get a new roof. Typically, these are in areas where hail is a common occurrence.
- Get insurance discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts on roofing materials that achieve a Class 4 impact resistance rating. For example, State Farms impact resistant shingle discount is available to select customers. These savings may be substantial, even 35% of your home insurance premiums, according to NBC News.
- Enjoy more benefits: Impact-resistant shingles may also meet other high standards for quality. At IKO, we call these performance shingles. For example, NordicTM shingles are designed to withstand high winds up to 110 mph.
- Achieve better durability: The most significant benefit of impact resistant shingles is that they will better withstand hailstorms. You can get peace of mind that in a hailstorm, your roof will be as safe as it can be.
Strength And Durability By Design
Non-impact resistant roofing shingles can be more easily damaged when struck by hail or other debris during a storm. Thanks to advancements in shingle design and construction, industry-leading roofing manufacturers have engineered asphalt roofing shingles that can withstand greater impact and therefore potentially reduce the amount of roof damage caused by a storm, such as hail damage.
Impact-resistant shingles are usuallyengineered in two ways:
- A reinforcing, polymer-based mesh is added to the back of a standard asphalt shingle. This mesh is embedded into the asphalt and helps holds the shingle together, preventing the shingle from splitting when impacted by a hailstone or other object.
- Rubber-like polymers, such as SBS , are added to the asphalt composition. The integration of the SBS polymer blend with the asphalt produces a rubberizing effect, creating a shingle that is more flexible and more capable of recovering from hail impact.
Read Also: How To Remove Lichen From Asphalt Roof Shingles
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.
How Thicker Metal Helps Protect From Hail Damage
Metals thickness plays a role in its durability.
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal. A metal roof in a 29-gauge metal is thinner and therefore more susceptible to dents than a roof in a 24-gauge. For more protection from hail and other elements, we recommend using a thicker gauge such as 24 gauge.
To learn more about metal roofing gauges, we recommend reading:
Read Also: Can You Do Roofing Yourself
Are Class 4 Shingles Worth The Extra Cost
Generally, installing Class 4 shingles is a wise investment if you live in a region that is frequented by severe weather and major roof damage is common.
In the US, a large number of residents lose their roofs due to hail and wind damage each year, but certain areas are more prone to hailstorms than others. Therefore, the higher the risk in your area, the more advisable it is to install Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.
Although their cost is 10-20% higher than the price of other types of shingles, the investment pays off in the long run. This is because the installation of such shingles lowers your maintenance costs, and may help you avoid an untimely roof replacement.
On top of that, many insurance companies provide discounts to households with Class 4 shingles, making up for the higher cost of their installation.
To help you understand how hail-prone some areas of the US are, heres the list of the states with the most hailstorms in 2019:
Texas 872 hail events South Dakota 302 hail events Colorado 294 hail events
If you live in one of these areas or in a location with other extreme weather conditions, installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles is your best course of action.
Its possible to install a relatively cheap metal roof that will cost either the same or be slightly more expensive that a good quality impact resistant asphalt roof.
Calgary Roofing Hail Proof Rubber Roofing
Rubber roofing is an excellent material to use and there are plenty of varieties and styles to choose from. Rubber roofing is a superior product for Calgary roofing. The material can live through multiple decades before showing any signs of wear and tear.
This solution is a great option for Calgary roofing because its highly resistant to Calgary hail roof damages, plus heat, wind, rain & snow that we experience every year. In fact, we install Euroshields products because the roof panels are warrantied against perforation or tear-through damage from hail 2 or less in diameter.
Read Also: Where To Get Roof Trusses
Reasons To Consider Impact
- Better resistance to impact from hail and flying debris than non-impact-resistant products
- Protection against fire most products are Class A fire rated
- You may be eligible for an annual discount on your homeowners premium,footnote 2 especially if your current roof is made of wood shinglesfootnote 3
- If you sell your home, the new owner may be eligible for a homeowners insurance discount, which can be a good selling point
- Less impact on the environment since fewer roofs will be damaged during a storm
To learn more about impact-resistant roofing materials, contact a State Farm agent today.
return to reference1 Underwriters Laboratories Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials or FM Global Specification Test Standard for Impact Resistant Testing of Rigid Roofing Materials by Impacting with Freezer Balls. Discount names, percentages, availability and eligibility may vary by state.
return to reference2 For qualifying metal products, an exclusion of certain damages to metal roof products will be a part of your policy. See your agent for details.
return to reference3 Reduction of your homeowners insurance premium depends on your state of residence.
Does A Metal Roof Lower Insurance
Insurance companies for metal roofing make your home more fire-resistant, which means they may be willing to lower residential insurance rates. However, there is no guarantee that youll receive a discount for having residential metal roofing since many factors affect how much impact the residential metal roof will have on lowering residential insurance premiums. If you want metal roofing that can reduce premiums, then residential 29 gauge residential metal roofs will be the most effective at doing so.
Read Also: Does Replacing A Roof Increase Home Value
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.
Stone Coated Steel Roofing And Hail
Stone coated steel roofing is usually certified as Class 4 Hail Resistant Impact Resistant UL2218. The DECRA website lists the following ratings for their product: Class 4 Impact Resistant. Qualifies for insurance discounts in many states. Warranted against hail penetration. Non-combustible , 120 mph wind warranty, Transferable 50-year limited warranty, Interlocking panels provide protection against the elements, Impact resistant Class 4 to UL 2218 by Underwriters Laboratories .
New Roof Plus is a big fan of DECRA, the leader in this beautiful stone coated steel metal roofing material. DECRAs roofing systems offer a beautiful, high performance, lightweight shingle truly unlike any other roofing products. DECRAs Stone Coated Steel System is ideal for new construction or for complete roof replacement in residential or commercial roof applications.
are of particular interest to home and building owners looking for new technology solutions to old roofing problems like wind damage, hail damage, wood shingle rot, HOA requirements for non-combustible roofing material, asphalt roofing shingle replacement, and more. Green roofing advocates are attracted to DECRA stone coated metal for many of its advantages over the long term. It is durable and does not use trees in its manufacturing.
Recommended Reading: How To Build A Living Roof
What Are Class 4 Shingles
Class 4 shingles, also known as impact resistant shingles, or IR shingles can withstand more powerful impacts than any other type of roof shingles. As a result, they are better able to protect your roof from severe leaks and various types of structural damage that require expensive repairs or early roof replacement.
Class 4 shingles are rated to resist hail impact and are designed to withstand winds of up to 110 mph. This is the highest class of IR or impact resistant shingles you can get.
To obtain this special classification, roofing shingles must undergo very rigorous testing. This test is carried out by the Underwriters Laboratory . The UL came up with the UL 2218 classification alongside the Institute of Business and Home Safety that works in conjunction with roof shingles class ratings.
The name of the test is the UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rating test. During the procedure, steel balls of different sizes are released onto shingles at 90 mph from heights ranging from 12 to 20 feet. The balls are dropped twice onto the same area.
If the shingles under-perform, i.e. get damaged, they receive a lower rating. Class 1 is reserved for the least resistant shingles.
This table summarizes the different classes of shingles based on the performance on the impact resistance test.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can be made using different roofing materials, such as asphalt, metal, or rubber. Here we will focus primarily of impact resistant asphalt shingles.
What Is The Best Roof Material To Prevent Hail
Facts About the Hail and Hailstorms
At American Roofing USA, were always amazed that the largest hailstone to ever fall happened in 2010, in Vivian South Dakota. This hailstone measured 8 inches in diameter, weighed 1.94 pounds and is now on display at the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. We also are amazed that the second highest number of hailstone-related claims in the United States took place in Colorado, from 2013 2015, totaling 182,591 hailstones. One more fact to consider is that a hailstone can fall up to 120 miles per hour.
In other words, hailstones can cause a lot of damage.
Knowing this and that roofs often take the hardest hits, which is expected as they were built with the intention of protecting you and your home, the likely question is, has a hail-proof roof ever been invented?
Hail-proof vs Hail-resistant
To begin with, using the words hail-proof, is misleading because no roof has ever been proven to be 100% resistant to the damaging effects of a treacherous storm, or other catastrophic event. So, the more accurate answer would be that there are varying degrees of incredibly hail-resistant roofs available. This includes a variety of roofing materials that do provide the greatest amount of protection while suffering the least amount of damage.
Hail-stone Resistant Roofing Materials
For instance, consider each of these products and their ability to resist pounding hailstones:
Read Also: How Much Roofing Cost Per Square Foot
What Is The Difference Between Class 3 And Class 4 Shingles
As mentioned earlier, the impact resistance of shingles refers to their ability to endure damage and impact caused by storms and hail. The steel ball test is used to measure this resistance. Based on the test results, its easy to set Class 4 shingles apart from Class 3 shingles .
In particular, shingles earn a Class 3 impact-resistance rating if they dont crack when the ball hits them twice in the same place. On the other hand, a Class 4 impact-resistance rating only goes to shingles that dont get damaged at all in the process.
If you get a Class 4 impact-resistant material, your home will receive the best protection. Nevertheless, during extreme weather conditions such as large, wind-driven hail, theres still some possibility of damage. The shingles will protect your roof during average hail storms, but if its an especially bad one, theres still some risk of damage.
Impact Resistant Shingles Vs Asphalt Shingles
When comparing the two, what are the pros to choosing the impact resistant shingles over the cheaper basic asphalt shingles?
- Protection: Impact resistant shingles are designed to handle whatever Mother Nature sends. They are flexible which keeps the shingles from cracking upon impact.
- Cost: Impact resistant shingles cost more to have installed, but the ROI is significant with fewer repairs, and the sturdiness during a hailstorm will save your insurance deductible. The Class 4 impact resistant shingles are a value add to any home, a bonus in the real estate market.
- Design: Impact resistant shingles come in different colors, designs, and styles to match any architectural design.
Want to get started on impact resistant shingles? Call today!
Read Also: How To Apply Roof Shingles
Can You Walk 29 Gauge Metal Roof
Yes! Metal roofing systems are not slippery, and they do not collapse underfoot. It is one of the most durable types of residential roofing available, so you dont have to worry about it giving out on you due to weight or other factors such as snowfall. If you want a metal roof that is safe for residential use, then 29 gauge is the way to go.
How To Tell If A Roof Has Hail Damage
If a hail storm is really intense, with something like 2 size hail balls, the damage will be obvious. Hail this size can easily break car windows. However, even less severe hail can cause damage that needs to be looked for.
If you are concerned that you may have roof damage from hail, check your gutters and siding first. These two areas can be good indicators of damage.
Also Check: How To Replace Asphalt Roof
What Are Ul 2218 Class 4 Shingles
The UL puts construction materials, like roofing shingles, through a rigorous series of tests set to determine how impact resistant they genuinely are. During this test, known as the UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rating test, steels balls in various sizes are dropped onto the roofing material at 90 mph from 12 to 20 feet high, two times in the same spot.
How the roofing or other construction material holds up under the impact of these steel balls will determine whether they will be classified as UL 2218 Class 4 shingles or a lower class. For a UL Class 4 impact resistant rating to be achieved, the sample roofing material should be able to withstand two hits by a steel ball that is two inches in diameter without cracking or showing signs of stress.
How Impact Resistance For Roofing Shingles Is Measured
To measure the impact resistance of roofing shingles, UL performs its UL 2218 test within a controlled environment. Results provide impact resistance data for the evaluation of prepared steep slope roofing materials like shingles.
During a Class 4 impact resistance test on asphalt shingles, a 2-inch diameter steel ball is dropped from 20 feet above a shingle to simulate the impact of hail. This is done twice in roughly the same spot. A shingle passes the test if the backside does not show any visible evidence of tearing, fracturing, cracking, splitting or other opening of the roof-covering layer.
According to UL, the 2218 test does not evaluate the effect of weathering, temperature, aging or similar effects on the impact resistance of prepared roof covering materials. These and other factors, including time, roof slope, roof system configuration and application influence the performance of roofing materials in the field.
You May Like: How To Waterproof A Flat Concrete Roof
