When a shingle or other roofing material is listed as having a Class 4 hail rating it means it has the highest impact resistance rating available. This is a classification that is given after the material has undergone rigorous testing as defined by UL, a global safety certification company that conducts performance tests on a wide variety of products, including roofing shingles.
Earning a Class 4 hail rating
The UL 2218 Class 4 designation is earned only after a shingle can withstand the test that simulates the impact of a two-inch sized hail stone. In the test, a steel ball is dropped onto the shingle two times in the same spot. The shingle is then closely examined for damage. If it shows any sign of cracking or breaking, or even granule loss, the shingle will fail the test.
Class 4 impact resistance isn’t just for asphalt shingles either. Other roofing materials must be able to perform as well, including metal, composites and commercial roofing systems like single-ply roofing.
Why it matters
A recent report released in fall 2021 showed that Texas is becoming more vulnerable to severe weather due to climate changes. Spectrum News reported that Texas is getting hotter, and “the severity and frequency of natural disasters are expected to increase, having an effect on everything from infrastructure to public health.”
Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, the report author and atmospheric sciences professor at Texas A&M University, told Spectrum News, “Extreme rainfall getting worse because of higher temperatures and changes in weather patterns, droughts getting worse because of greater evaporation, those all get connected to those temperature changes.”
Protecting your home or business
With more severe weather in the future, we are going to see more hailstorms. It’s important to consider the value of choosing a roofing material that can withstand the impacts and resist damage from hail. At Texas Traditions Roofing, we install a variety of product from different manufacturers that have received their Class 4 hail rating.
In some cases, insurance companies will provide discounts to property owners who install impact-resistant roofing systems. In fact, the Texas Department of Insurance publishes a list of approved manufacturers who offer products that qualify for insurance discounts. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see what discounts they may offer for these rugged roofing systems.
When it’s time to replace your roofing system, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted roof advisers who can review the available roofing systems and help you make the best choice for your new roof.