# Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles For Your Strongest Roof
Have you ever wondered how to protect your home from severe weather damage? You’re not alone. After exploring numerous solutions, Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles offer the highest level of protection for roofing systems.
Considering your roof is a crucial element in protecting your home and family from the elements, it’s important not to neglect it. You’ll want to make sure to choose the best roofing material within your budget, perform regular roof inspections, and reach out to a professional when your roofing system is in need of quality care.
In this article, we’ll share insights on these shingles – what they are, their levels of resistance, and how to identify them.
What is Class 4 Impact Resistance, and Why is It Important?
Class 4 Impact Resistance is the highest level of protection against severe weather conditions. It is essential because it can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your roof, saving you money on repairs.
Increase in hail and severe weather
Hail storms and severe weather events have recently amplified, posing significant threats to our homes. Roofs are the first defense against these elements, so their fortitude becomes crucial.
Hail stones can range from pea-sized to as big as a baseball; imagine the damage that can inflict! An ordinary roof might not withstand this increasing ferocity, resulting in frequent, costly repairs.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles offer resilience amidst such challenging conditions. Their design explicitly tackles high winds and substantial hail impacts, enabling your home to brave destructive weather situations.
Benefits of impact-resistant shingles
Impact-resistant shingles provide several benefits that make them an ideal choice for homeowners. They offer superior durability, withstanding severe weather, and flying debris better than standard shingles.
This resilience translates into longevity, reducing the need for frequent roof repairs – a significant investment in any homeowner’s life. Additionally, these shingles stand up well to strong winds, making them suitable even in areas prone to storms.
Another appealing benefit is that owning a house with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can lead to discounts on insurance premiums due to their ability to resist damage.
Choosing impact-resistant shingles protects your home and saves you money in the long run.
The Classes of Impact Resistance
There are different classes of impact resistance for shingles, with Class 4 being the highest. The class rating indicates how well the shingles can withstand severe weather conditions.
Impact resistance testing, such as UL 2218 and FM 4473, helps determine the class rating of the shingles.
Explanation of different classes
Roofing materials are categorized into classes based on their impact resistance. Class 1 is the most basic level, offering minimal protection against impacts. It’s suitable for regions with mild weather conditions.
In contrast, Class 2 provides a middle ground of durability under moderate weather conditions. Then we have Class 3, which can tolerate larger hail up to one and a quarter inches in diameter without showing any damage.
The crown jewel of them all is Class 4 – this offers the highest rate of impact resistance. These shingles can withstand direct strikes from two-inch balls dropped twenty feet in height without visible harm, making them an excellent choice for areas prone to severe storms.
Impact resistance testing (UL 2218 and FM 4473)
UL 2218 and FM 4473 are the standardized tests used to measure the impact resistance of roofing shingles. UL 2218, also known as “the steel ball test,” is performed in a controlled environment.
It determines the shingle’s ability to withstand impact by dropping a steel ball from different heights. Class 4 is the highest level of impact resistance for roofing shingles, meaning they can withstand the result of a 2-inch diameter steel ball under testing conditions.
How to Identify Impact-Resistant Shingles
When looking to identify impact-resistant shingles, there are several characteristics to consider. Look for features such as reinforced layers, high-quality materials, and certification from reputable testing organizations.
Pay attention to the class rating of the shingles, which indicates their level of impact resistance. By examining these factors, homeowners can choose the right shingles to protect their roofs.
Characteristics to look for
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles have specific characteristics that make them highly durable. When choosing impact-resistant shingles, look for features such as a thick base mat, reinforced fiberglass, and unique adhesive technology.
These characteristics contribute to the shingle’s strength and ability to withstand hail or flying debris impacts. Class 4 shingles often have enhanced granule adhesion, which helps protect against UV damage and premature aging.
Underwriter Laboratories (UL) rigorously tested these shingles, ensuring their quality and performance. With Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, you can have peace of mind knowing that your roof is well-protected against severe weather conditions.
Recognizing the class rating
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are the highest-rated shingles for withstanding impacts. These shingles have undergone rigorous testing to ensure their durability.
To recognize Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, look for specific indicators such as the packaging’s UL 2218 or FM 4473 class rating labels. These labels will state that the shingles have achieved the highest level of impact resistance.
Some manufacturers may also include branding indicating that the shingles are Class 4 rated. By identifying these indicators, you can confidently choose high-quality, resilient roofing materials for a strong, protected roof.
Asphalt Shingles and Cedar Shakes
Asphalt shingles and cedar shakes are popular roofing materials for their performance in impact situations. They offer excellent protection against falling debris and can withstand strong winds, making them a great choice for homeowners.
Performance and Resilience in Impact Situations
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are designed to deliver outstanding performance and resilience in impact situations. These high-rated shingles offer superior protection against hail, falling debris, and severe weather conditions.
They have been extensively tested to withstand the harshest impacts without sustaining damage. With their durable construction, these shingles provide peace of mind for homeowners by preventing costly repairs.
Conclusion
With increased longevity, wind resistance, and better protection against falling debris, they are an intelligent investment for homeowners in areas prone to harsh weather.
Look for the UL 2218 Class 4 rating when identifying impact-resistant shingles. Even though they may cost slightly more than regular asphalt shingles, their added resilience and peace of mind make them worth it.
If you want Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles installed on your home, contact us today for a quote.