If you've had hail damage and are considering replacing your shingles, you might want to consider an impact resistant shingle. Impact resistant shingles are slightly more expensive than standard architectural shingles because they're thicker, heavier and come with longer warranty coverage.
Some insurance companies offer premium discounts if you install Class 4 impact resistant shingles, which may offset the added cost of the shingles, and lessen the risk of future roof hail damage. Check with your insurance company for details.
However, it is important to note that even though impact-resistant shingles can lessen the risk of hail damage, most manufacturer warranties do not cover hail damage even for shingles that pass the UL test.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has the most demanding standard for testing the impact resistance of shingles. The test determines the amount of stress a newly manufactured shingle can withstand without cracking. Here's how it works:
- Steel balls of various sizes are used to simulate the force of free-falling hailstones. The steel balls are usually dropped from 20 feet.
- The steel ball hits the shingle at 90mph and comes to an instant stop. This is a higher force than most hail that hits a roof.
- The shingles are struck twice in the same spot to test impact resistance.
- A rating is assigned to each shingle (Class 1, 2, 3, or 4) to signify resistance to a particular size steel ball; the higher the rating, the greater the impact resistance.
- Shingles that are assigned a rating of "Class 4" demonstrate the highest impact resistance (shingles show no evidence of cracks or ruptures on front or back). Compare to standard shingles which may have ruptures or cracks visible on the surface or back immediately after hail impact.
UL Impact Resistant Ratings
Class 1 = 1 ¼" steel ball dropped from 20 feet
Class 2 = 1 ½" steel ball dropped from 20 feet
Class 3 = 1 ¾" steel ball dropped from 20 feet
Class 4 = 2" steel ball dropped from 20 feet
CertainTeed Impact Resistant Shingles
- Presidential Shake Impact Resistant (Lifetime warranty; 110 MPH wind warranty)
- Landmark TL Impact Resistant (Lifetime warranty; 110 MPH wind warranty/130 MPH upgrade available)
- Landmark Special (50-year warranty; 90 MPH wind warranty/130 MPH upgrade available)
GAF Impact Resistant Shingles
- Timberline ArmorShield (Lifetime warranty; 130 MPH wind warranty)
- TruSlate (Lifetime warranty; 130 MPH wind warranty)
Owens Corning Impact Resistant Shingles
- WeatherGuard HP (Lifetime warranty; 130 MPH wind warranty)
TAMKO Impact Resistant Shingles
- Lamarite Shake Composite (50-year warranty; 90 MPH wind warranty)
- Lamarite Shake Composite (50-year warranty; 90 MPH wind warranty)
- AstonWood (steel shingles) (50-year warranty; 110 MPH wind warranty)
- StoneCrest Slate (steel shingles) (50-year warranty; 110 MPH wind warranty)
- StoneCrest Tile (steel shingles) (50-year warranty; 110 MPH wind warranty)
