Roof
Impact-Resistant Shingles for Round Rock Roofs
After a night of hail up to 4 inches across, the next roof is a fair place to ask for something tougher. Here is what Class 4 buys and what it does not.
The Plain Facts
Class 4 is the top rating in the standard impact test for roofing.
It means the shingle resists cracking from impact better than a standard one. It does not mean hail-proof.
Ask your insurer what it offers for a Class 4 roof, and get the answer in writing.
Impact ratings run from Class 1 to Class 4 under a test known as UL 2218, in which steel balls are dropped on the shingle. Class 4 is the highest. Shingles that earn it are typically made with a rubber-modified asphalt or a reinforced mat, so they flex under a hit.
A local roofing guide for Central Texas recommends Class 4 shingles for Williamson County and notes a possible insurance premium discount that the owner has to confirm with the carrier.
Source: The Roof Shepherd, roofing materials guide (a contractor's published guide).
What It Does Not Promise
The test is done with steel balls at set sizes. Real hail in Round Rock has reached 4 inches. No asphalt shingle is certain to come through that without marks.
Some policies treat cosmetic damage to an impact-rated roof differently from functional damage. That is a policy term, not a roofing term, and it is worth understanding before you sign anything.
The rating is on the shingle. The flashing, vents and ridge caps around it need to be chosen to match, or they become the weak points.
Deciding
- Ask the contractor for the price of the same roof in a standard architectural shingle and in Class 4, side by side.
- Ask your insurer for the premium with and without. Divide the price difference by the yearly saving.
- Ask how long you expect to own the house.
- Ask for the product's rating certificate so the insurer has what it needs.
Whatever shingle you choose, the installation is not inspected by the city. Use the owner's checklist.
Questions About Impact-Resistant Shingles
Are Class 4 shingles hail-proof?
No. They resist impact better than standard shingles. Very large hail can still damage them.
Do insurers in Texas discount for Class 4 roofs?
Some do. The amount and the conditions vary by company, so ask yours directly before choosing.
Do they look different?
Not much. Most Class 4 shingles are architectural shingles with the same look as standard ones.
Pricing a Tougher Roof?
Ask for both options in the estimate.
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