Protect Your Home from Storm Damage with Impact-Resistant Roof Shingles
If you are a homeowner residing in an area that frequently experiences severe storms, picking the right type of roof shingles can significantly impact your home’s protection against storm damage.
Storms featuring hail, flying debris, and strong winds can threaten your roof’s integrity. Installing impact-resistant shingles might be a wise investment.
What Are Impact-Resistant Roof Shingles?
Impact-resistant roof shingles are also known as IR shingles. They are designed to minimize roof damage during severe weather conditions. Insurance companies offer lower renewal to homeowners who have class impact-resistant shingles.
For a better understanding of the technology and benefits behind Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, here’s what you need to know:
Enhanced Strength and Durability
Conventional roof shingles can be easily damaged by hail or storms. However, advancements in shingle design have led to asphalt shingles that can withstand more impact, reducing potential storm-related damage.
Impact-resistant shingles are designed in two main ways:
- Reinforcing Mesh: A polymer-based mesh is added to the back of standard asphalt shingles. This mesh supports the shingle, preventing it from splitting when hit by hail or other objects.
- Rubber-like Polymers: Certain rubber-like polymers, such as SBS, are blended with asphalt. This creates a more flexible shingle that can recover from the impact of hail.
Understanding Class 4 Ratings
In response to destructive hailstorms in the 1990s, the roofing industry took a test called the “steel ball test.” This standardized test evaluates a shingle’s resistance to impact. The shingles are assigned one of four ratings, with Class 4 being the highest. During the test, a steel ball is dropped onto a shingle from a specific height. The shingle is then examined for any cracks that could allow water leakage.
Are Class 4 Shingle Wind Resistant?
Class 4 shingles don’t necessarily have higher wind resistance. Wind ratings are a separate classification. However, people often link Class 4 shingles and wind resistance because strong winds can turn debris into projectiles that damage roofs.
When to Choose Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles
Numerous homeowners face costly roof damage every year due to hailstorms and extreme weather. In 2018 alone, the US experienced 4,610 major hail events, causing billions in damages. Insurers like State Farm paid over $2.7 billion in claims for wind and hail damage in the 2018.
Benefits of Class 4 Roofing Shingles
While Class 4 shingles may cost more initially, their benefits make them a valuable investment, especially if you live in a storm-prone area:
- Fewer Repairs: These durable shingles provide peace of mind, knowing your roof can better withstand storms.
- Extended Lifespan: Intact shingles are crucial for year-round protection. Class 4 shingles enhance your roof’s defense.
- Insurance Discounts: Many insurers offer discounts for homeowners with Class 4-rated shingles.
By opting for impact-resistant roof shingles, you can increase your home’s defense against storm damage and save on insurance costs. Get in touch with Big G Roofing at 305-800-2444 for reliable roofing services.