All you need to know about Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roofing Shingles

Minnesota homes get hit with a lot of hail. In fact, in 2019, Minnesota ranked fifth for claims made against hail damage. Dealing with hail damage is a hassle, one you’d like to avoid as much as possible. What can you do to improve your odds against hail damage? Installing Class 4 Impact-Resistant roofing shingles does just that.

How strong are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles?

Developed in the 1990s following several catastrophic hail storms, the testing of Class 4 shingles is rigorous. In the Underwriters Laboratory 2218 test, steel balls are dropped onto installed shingles. Only shingles that can withstand having a 2-inch steel ball dropped multiple times from 20 feet can receive the Class 4 rating. Lower classes of impact-resistant shingles can withstand the impact of smaller balls.

What gives them their strength?

There are two ways to engineer impact-resistant shingles. One is to add rubber-like polymers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) to the asphalt shingle. This rubberizes the shingles, making them more flexible and, thus, able to handle hail impact better. A reinforcing polymer-based mesh can also be added to the back of a standard asphalt shingle to hold it together and protect against splitting when hail or a flying object impacts it.

How expensive are these shingles?

Increasing the strength and durability of shingles comes with a cost, but it may not be as much as you think. Typically, Class 4 shingles cost 10 to 25% more than regular asphalt shingles, though that cost can be offset in a number of ways (more on that later). The good news is that installation of these shingles does not cost more than installation of regular asphalt shingles.

Are they worth the expense?

In Minnesota, with the frequency and severity of damaging storms, the answer is a resounding yes. The upfront expense is offset by many benefits:

• Class 4 shingles reduce the frequency of roof repairs and replacement. 
• Increase the life expectancy of your roof. Without storm damage, shingles can last up to 50 years. Class 4 shingles protect against that damage.
• Many insurance companies offer discounts for homeowners who install them because they can last longer and save them money in the long run. 
• Class 4 shingles may prevent your insurance premiums and deductibles from increasing. It’s not uncommon for insurers to pass on the costs associated with hail storms to homeowners, but having Class 4 shingles may keep that from happening to you. 

Note: Contact your insurer to learn if they incentivize the installation of Class 4 shingles in any way.

Does Keyprime recommend Class 4 shingles?

Keyprime prides itself on installing the best quality materials. If you want the best shingles on the market, you want Class 4 shingles. If you want the best warranty in the industry, you want Keyprime’s True Lifetime Warranty™. Learn more about it here and contact us today if you’re ready to experience the quality and customer service you deserve.