If you’re one of the millions of American homeowners who reside in a region where severe storms damage, then the roofing shingles you choose will be crucial in preventing storm damage to your roof.

Your roof is vulnerable to damage during storms that bring hail, flying debris, and high winds; therefore, it may be wise to invest in impact-resistant shingles.

ROOF SHINGLES THAT ARE IMPACT-RESISTANT

Impact-resistant roofing shingles, often known as “IR” roofing shingles, are intended to lessen roof damage during a severe weather event and might even increase the lifespan of your roof. If you replace the roofing shingles on your house with impact-resistant ones, you can also be eligible for a homeowner’s insurance discount. Learn more by speaking with your insurance company.

What you need to know about Class 4 impact-resistant roofing shingles’ technology and advantages might help you choose the best roofing material for your house.

Design for Strength and Durability

In the event of a storm, non-impact-resistant roofing shingles may be more vulnerable to damage from hail or other flying debris.

Industry-leading roofing manufacturers have developed asphalt roofing shingles that can take a greater impact in order to potentially lessen the amount of storm-related roof damage, such as hail damage. This is made possible by innovations in shingle design and construction.

Continue reading: HOW TO DETERMINE WHICH COLOR SHINGLES WILL LOOK BEST ON YOUR HOME’S ROOF

Typically, impact-resistant shingles are created in one of two ways:

  • A typical asphalt shingle has a polymer-based mesh added to the back as reinforcement. The shingle is held together by this mesh, which is incorporated into the asphalt, and is kept from breaking when struck by hail or other objects.
  • The asphalt composition includes rubber-like polymers, such as SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene). A more flexible and resilient shingle is produced as a result of the rubberizing action created by the rubberizing of the SBS polymer blend with the asphalt.

What Constitutes Roofing Shingles as a Class 4 Rating?

After a series of devastating hailstorms ravaged the United States in the middle of the 1990s, the roofing industry created a test to gauge the impact resilience of its products. The Underwriters Laboratory 2218 (UL 2218) is the official name of this test, which is sometimes referred to as “the steel ball test.” A shingle is given one of four ratings by UL based on the outcomes of this test, with Class 4 being the highest grade that may be given.

In this testing procedure, a steel ball is repeatedly dropped from a predetermined height onto a roofing shingle that has been installed. After that, the shingle is flipped over and checked for any splits or cracks that would let water to seep in.

A roofing shingle must be able to withstand being repeatedly struck by a 2-inch steel ball from a height of 20 feet in order to achieve a Class 4 rating. For a better sense of scale, imagine performing the same test on a 4-inch concrete paver. The steel ball’s force would split the paver in half.

Although Class 4 is the highest rating for impact resistance, shingles can also earn lower ratings like Class 3 and Class 2. The distinction in the grades is that Class 3 shingles and Class 2 shingles both withstand a smaller steel ball dropped from a lower height.

Do Class 4 shingles offer more wind resistance?

Class 4 roofing shingles may or may not have greater wind resistance. Ratings for windfall under a different category. Class 4 roofing shingles and wind resistance are frequently mentioned in the same sentence since strong winds can cause debris to become airborne and contact roofs, resulting in damage.

When Should You Use Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roofing Shingles?

Every year, hailstorms and other severe weather events cost the roofs of thousands of houses across the nation. In 2018, there were 4,610 big hail incidents in the United States, and these storms cost billions of dollars in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Severe Storms database. In 2018, claims for wind and hail damage were more than $2.7 billion, according to State Farm, one insurer.

Hail is more likely to occur in some regions of the United States than others. The Insurance Information Institute identified the following five states as having the worst big hail incidents in 2018:

  • Texas experienced 508 hailstorms.
  • Kansas experienced 493 hailstorms.
  • Colorado experienced 332 hailstorms.
  • Nebraska experienced 309 hailstorms.
  • South Dakota had 309 hailstorms in 2016.

If you reside in a portion of the country where hail is common or in an area where severe weather events occur frequently, you may want to give putting Class 4 roofing shingles some serious thought.

Advantages of Class 4 Roofing Shingle Installation

As a premium product, Class 4 roofing shingles are sometimes more expensive than common, non-impact-resistant shingles. However, if you live in a region where hail and wind storms frequently occur, the higher upfront cost may be a fair investment due to the several advantages of Class 4, impact-resistant tiles.

Impact-resistant shingles in Class 4 could:

  • Eliminate the need for roof repairs or lessen their frequency. You may unwind a little more knowing that you’ve given your roof its best opportunity to withstand storms with shingles this durable. Fewer damage results in less unforeseen repair costs.
  • lengthen the roof’s useful life. The first line of protection for your roof is its shingles. Season after season, a roof with unbroken, undamaged shingles is better protected.
  • reduce your homeowner’s insurance costs and premiums. For homeowners whose roofs are coated in Class 4-rated shingles, several businesses provide discounts. To find out more, get in touch with your insurance company.
  • Avoid having your insurance deductibles and rates go up at renewal. Some insurance companies are transferring expenses on homeowners as a result of the rising costs of insuring homes vulnerable to hail. Installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles could help you maintain your current rates and stave off potential rate increases. To find out more, get in touch with your insurance company.

Impact-Resistant Class 4 Roofing Shingles from Wayne Roofing

Several shingles with a Class 4 rating are available from Wayne Roofing:

  • TruDefinition® Duration FLEX®: This SBS-modified asphalt shingle has built-in flexibility for simple installation, absorbs energy upon impact with hail or other debris, and withstands everyday pressures for increased longevity. Our industry-leading SureNail® Technology is featured in Duration FLEX.
  • Duration STORM® in TruDefinition®: These shingles are made to perform better against storms and resist cracking when they hit since they are supported by a polymer-based mesh.
  • TruDefinition® WeatherGuard® HP: These shingles, which are also supported by a polymer-based mesh, are intended for hail-prone areas where homeowners seek enhanced security without losing aesthetic appeal.

Our trademarked SureNail® Technology is used in both TruDefinition® Duration FLEX® and TruDefinition® Duration STORM®.

Find out which Wayne Roofing Class 4, impact-resistant roofing shingles are offered in your region by browsing our selection of roofing shingles.

Require a roofer? https://www.waynenjroofing.com/ will help you locate a local independent roofing contractor.