From North Dallas to Frisco to the south side, our customers always ask if we have any hail-proof shingles. We always tell them the same thing: there is no such thing as a hail-proof shingle, but there are many options for impact-resistant ones.
What UL 2218 Actually Tests
Impact-resistant shingles are roofing products that have passed the UL 2218 test from Underwriters Laboratories. Products are rated in classes 1 through 4, with Class 4 being the highest. Most products that pass the test today are rated Class 4.
The test is conducted by dropping steel balls of various sizes from various heights onto shingles and examining the results. The Class 4 standard requires surviving a 2-inch steel ball dropped from a height of 20 feet, twice. The shingle is then examined front and back for tears, punctures, and cracks.
It is not a perfect replication of hail, but it replicates the destructive energy hail creates.
What the Test Does Not Prove
A few important caveats to keep in mind:
- The test is run on new shingles. Aged shingles perform differently. Shingles become brittle as they age, and older shingles are far more susceptible to hail damage than new ones.
- Slope affects damage. Steeper-pitched roofs are less susceptible than lower-pitched ones.
- The whole system matters. Underlayment, condition of the roof deck, tree coverage, and many other factors influence how much damage a roof sustains in a storm.
It is common in a small hail event for only the very aged roofs up and down a block to need replacement while the newer roofs come through fine.
How IR Shingles Really Perform
Impact-resistant shingles are not hail-proof, but they have a much higher survival rate than typical shingles. Over the years we have seen hail strong enough to break acrylic skylight domes and damage most shingles, while the IR roofs on the same block stayed in good shape.
The exception is the rare monster storm. The 2012 Lakewood hail event was large enough to wipe out almost everything in the area, including impact-resistant shingles and even tile roofs. What we tell customers is: an IR shingle will likely survive the typical once-every-ten-year storm most of us in Dallas experience, but not a once-in-a-generation event like 2012.
A Note on Tamko Exiting the IR Market
A few years back, Tamko sent out a memo through their reps stating they were exiting the impact-resistant shingle market. The reason cited was insurance-industry claims that a manufacturer should be responsible for hail damage to a UL 2218 Class 4 roof.
As explained above, IR simply means the shingle passed the UL 2218 test. It does not mean the shingle is warrantied against hail. Tamko, like most manufacturers, does not provide warranty coverage for any shingle, impact-resistant or not, against acts of God such as hail damage. Tamko cited the potential cost and risk of litigation as the primary reason for getting out of the category.
That decision affected which IR products we carry. Today we install IR shingles from manufacturers who remain committed to the category, including GAF (ArmorShield), CertainTeed (Climate Flex), and Owens Corning Duration Storm.
Choosing an IR Roof in Dallas
If you are considering impact-resistant shingles in the greater Dallas area, see our impact resistant shingles service page for the brand-by-brand comparison. For a free estimate, call us at 214-321-9341 or request an inspection online.
