Choosing the Right Roofing Material for Hail Resistance

Hail damage can diminish a roof’s life span by up to 10 years. So, if you are planning to tackle roof replacement in the future, make sure that you consider roofing materials that can resist hail impact. Although some of the common ones used today can be modified to increase impact resistance, the features that make them so vary depending on the type of material.

Impact Resistance Ratings

To meet the standards of an impact-resistant roofing system, see to it that your chosen roof covering has a rating of Class 3 or 4 when tested under two performance standards. These are UL 2218 and FM 4473. Both performance tests utilize a 3’x3’ specimen of a newly-manufactured roof covering product and then subjected to impacts from materials at standard laboratory conditions to represent hail’s kinetic energy.

The difference between the two, however, lies on the roof covering specimens and the material used to simulate hail. Steel balls of varying sizes are dropped on asphalt shingles, metal, wood, and tile roofing in UL 2218 tests, while pre-molded ice balls of defined sizes are dropped on clay and concrete tile and slate in FM 4473 tests.

Roofing Materials That Meet Impact Resistance Standards

Various roofing materials available on the market today are classified under Class 3 or 4 in terms of impact resistance. Asphalt shingles, for instance, are likely to perform moderately well to hailstorms, but every roofing contractor makes sure that each piece is hand-nailed for better accuracy and performance.

Metal panels can dimple permanently when hit by hail, but they can withstand the impact without causing functional damage. Despite a high price point, slate can last thrice as long as shingles and can truly stand up against hail impact. Attaching them requires flathead copper wire slating nails for better weather performance.

Turn to Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. for your roof repair and replacement as well as storm damage restoration. As a GAF Master Elite® roofing contractor, you can be sure that our asphalt shingles are not just durable and affordable but are also covered by exclusive, worry-free warranties that protect your new roof for decades. You can also count on us to install metal roofs that are fabricated in-house.

Call (731) 589-7663 or (901) 430-1974 to get started. You may also fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.