What are Hail Resistant Shingles?
As hailstorms become more frequent across North America, safeguarding your property, particularly your roof, is important! Opting for impact-resistant (IR) shingles, rated on a Class 4 scale for their ability to withstand hail, is becoming common practice. These shingles not only shield your home from hail damage but may also qualify you for insurance discounts.
Understanding Hail Damage and its Impact
Hail damage manifests as dips and cracks in shingles, potentially leading to water penetration. Even small hailstones can cause significant harm, while larger ones can rupture shingles entirely. This damage weakens the roof's integrity, making it susceptible to further environmental stressors.
Testing and Classifications of Impact Resistance
Impact-resistant shingles undergo rigorous testing to simulate hail impact. Two primary standards, UL 2218 and FM 4473, assess a shingle's ability to withstand steel or ice balls of increasing sizes. The steel or ice balls are dropped on the shingles from 20 feet and the damages are measured accordingly. Based on how the singles perform, or their ability to resist damage from the ice balls, they are broken down into the following class ratings:
Class 1 shingles can withstand steel balls that are 31.8 mm or 1.25 inches in diameter.
Class 2 shingles can withstand steel balls that are 38.1 mm or 1.5 inches in diameter.
Class 3 shingles can withstand steel balls that are 44 mm or 1.75 inches in diameter.
Class 4 shingles can withstand steel balls that are 50.8 mm or 2 inches in diameter.
Class 4 Shingles
Class 4 is the most common classification rating for a hail resistant shingle. Class 4 shingles can withstand 2-inch balls dropped from 20 feet, or "large hail stones”
Benefits of Impact-Resistant Shingles Investing in Class 4 IR shingles offers several advantages:
Compliance with building codes in hail-prone regions.
Eligibility for insurance discounts, potentially reducing premiums.
Enhanced durability against hailstorms and other weather extremes.
Assurance of quality and performance, meeting high industry standards.
How do impact resistant shingles work?
Class 4 shingles often incorporate advanced materials such as polymer-modified asphalt. This asphalt is mixed with polymers like styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), which enhances flexibility and resilience. These materials make the shingles more resistant to cracking and splitting upon impact. Basically, rubber is added to the asphalt to absorb the hail impact.
Cost of upgrading to a hail resistant shingle :
On average the cost to upgrade to a class 4 shingle is $1 per square foot. This additional cost can usually be offset in 3-4 years from the annual premium discount received from insurance. Unfortunately, when replacing a standard architectural shingle roof from and insurance claim, the cost to upgrade to class 4 will have to come out of pocket.
Conclusion
Hopefully this crash course in hail resistant shingles will help you have an informed discussion with your contractor at the time of your next roof replacement!