
The class 4 rating is given if the shingle does not crack when the 2′ ball is dropped twice onto the same spot from the 20 feet height. The shingles interior layers, backing, and exterior surfaces must not show any signs of splitting, fractures, tearing, any signs of cracking, or other sign of the integrity of the material being compromised.
What is a Class 4 shingle?
In a Class 4 UL 2218 Impact Resistance test, a 2-inch steel ball is dropped from 20 feet to see if the shingles will fracture. With a regular shingle (most of our competitors’ impact resistant shingles are only Class 3), cracks and ruptures will appear from that kind of impact. With Class 4 shingles, there are no splits or tears.
How do I know if my roofing material is Class 4?
These test results help determine if a roofing material is Class 1,2,3 or 4. As the chart below depicts, UL 2218 testing is completed by dropping four different-sized metal balls from various heights (to simulate hail). If the test product tears or fractures, it is considered a failed test. Are all shingles and metal roofs class 4 roofs?
How do you know if you have shingles?
Another way of diagnosing shingles is a history of pain on one side of your body, together with the telltale rash and blisters. Your doctor may decide to take a culture or tissue scraping of the blisters for examination in the laboratory. What is shingles, and how is it treated?
How can I tell what brand of roofing shingles I have?
You may have receipts, warranties, bills of sales, or brochures that identify the brand. If there were any shingles left over when the roof was installed, see if the package provides information. Roofery says if you can get the lot number as well, that will enable an even more precise match.

How can I tell if my shingles are Class 4?
To receive a Class 4 rating, a roofing shingle must withstand having a 2-inch steel ball dropped multiple times from a height of 20 feet. For more perspective, if this same test is repeated on a 4-inch concrete paver, the force of the steel ball would crack the paver in half.
How do I know what kind of shingles I have?
Check the purchase or repair documents for the roof. You may have receipts, warranties, bills of sales, or brochures that identify the brand. If there were any shingles left over when the roof was installed, see if the package provides information.
How long does Class 4 shingles last?
between twenty and thirty yearsSeveral factors, such as weather in your area, workmanship, and materials used to make shingles determine the lifespan of your roof. Unless a tree lands on your roof or a major storm hits your area, most roofs can last between 15 and 50 years. Class 4 shingles are rubberized and last between twenty and thirty years.
Are Class 4 shingles thicker?
However, the additional thickness and durability of a Class 4 shingle also increases the longevity of the roof, add resistance to falling or scraping tree branches, and help protect from flying debris (especially here in Kansas with our famous wind).
What is the difference between Class 3 and Class 4 shingles?
Class 3 shingles can withstand ice balls that are 44 mm or 1.75 inches in diameter. Class 4 shingles can withstand ice balls that are 50.8 mm or 2 inches in diameter.
Are Class 4 shingles worth the cost?
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles typically are 10 to 20% more expensive than regular asphalt shingles. However, impact-resistant shingles can reduce long-term maintenance costs and prevent premature roof replacement, so homeowners can quickly recoup the higher initial costs.
Are thicker shingles better?
Increased durability Their composition makes them more flexible–and affordable–than most other types of shingles and able to better withstand snow and light hailstorms.
How can I tell what color my shingles are?
3:099:09How to pick Shingle Colors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to make sure that the shingle matches or blends well or contrasts well well black obviouslyMoreYou want to make sure that the shingle matches or blends well or contrasts well well black obviously everybody knows black goes with anything right then you come to another black.
How much more is a Class 4 roof?
SBS Class 4 impact-resistant shingles cost from 10-25 percent more than regular asphalt shingles. However, because impact-resistant shingles reduce long-term maintenance costs and prevent premature roof replacement, homeowners can quickly make up the higher initial costs.
What shingles do roofers recommend?
Ultimately, the test revealed that the top 10 shingle brands were:Atlas – Pinnacle Pristine.GAF-Elk – Royal Sovereign.CertainTeed – XT 25.Atlas – StormMaster Slate.Tamko – Heritage.Owens Corning – Oakridge.Owens Corning – Duration.Owens Corning – Berkshire Collection.More items...
What is the most hail resistant roof?
Rubber roofing – rubber roofing is the sturdiest product, when it comes to hailstones. Made from recycled materials and low maintenance, rubber roofing is the most hail-resistant roofing available.
Does GAF make a Class 4 shingle?
Timberline® AS II Shingles with UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance give your roof a fighting chance in hail prone areas1 and help protect it against wind and blue-green algae too.
What class is Owens Corning Duration shingles?
Patented WeatherGuard® Technology helps Duration STORM® Shingles achieve a UL 2218 Class 4 rating, the highest rating for impact resistance, by integrating a polymeric backing material on the shingle.
What class is a 30 year shingle?
class 430 year impact resistant shingles vary in strength from class 1 to class 4. The type of class determines the material and the resistance of the shingle. Generally class 4 is the highest level of protection making the shingle less susceptible to hail damage or damage from other storms or weather debris.
Is a metal roof class 4?
In contrast, most metal roofs are impact-resistant and rated Class four.
How much do impact resistant shingles save on insurance?
3% to 15%While highly rated impact resistant roofing products are more costly, they can translate to significant insurance savings. We see insurance premium savings ranging from 3% to 15% from all major insurance companies when new roofing projects are completed with impact resistant roofing.
Are Timberline HD shingles Class 4?
Timberline ArmorShield II Shingles provide an excellent combination of protection, beauty, and potential insurance savings. Made with a proprietary SBS modified asphalt formulation, these shingles pass the industry's toughest impact-resistance test: UL 2218 Class 4.
What is the best impact resistant shingle?
Slate is considered one of the best roof shingles for hail as well as other types of extreme weather. This material can last up to 80-100 years.
Are 50 year shingles hail resistant?
Although 50-year roof shingles can withstand hail, strong winds, and heavy rain, asphalt architectural shingles aren't built to withstand a hurricane-prone area or areas where the weather fluctuates regularly.
What are the three types of asphalt shingles?
There are three major categories of asphalt roofing shingle products available today - strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles. It is important to understand the differences between each type of roofing shingle in order to pick the right product for your home.
What does mild shingles look like?
It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox.
What are the three types of shingles?
There are three major categories of asphalt roofing shingle products available today - strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles. It is important to understand the differences between each type of roofing shingle in order to pick the right product for your home.
Will shingles go away if left untreated?
Generally, a case of shingles rash resolves within 3 to 4 weeks. It can resolve without treatment, but antiviral treatment can shorten both the duration and severity of the rash.
How long do you feel unwell with shingles?
How long does shingles last? Most cases of shingles last three to five weeks. The first sign is often burning or tingling pain; sometimes it includes numbness or itching on one side of the body.
When Are Class 4, Impact-Resistant Roofing Shingles the Right Choice?
Every year, thousands of homeowners across the country suffer costly damage to their roofs during hailstorms and other extreme weather events. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Severe Storms database, 4,610 major hail events occurred in the U.S. in 2018, and these storms caused billions of dollars in damage. One insurer alone, State Farm, reported paying out more than $2.7 billion in claims related to wind and hail damage in 2018.
What is impact resistant shingle?
Impact-resistant shingles are usually engineered in two ways: A reinforcing, polymer-based mesh is added to the back of a standard asphalt shingle. This mesh is embedded into the asphalt and helps holds the shingle together, preventing the shingle from splitting when impacted by a hailstone or other object.
How high can a steel ball drop a shingle?
To receive a Class 4 rating, a roofing shingle must withstand having a 2-inch steel ball dropped multiple times from a height of 20 feet. For more perspective, if this same test is repeated on a 4-inch concrete paver, the force of the steel ball would crack the paver in half.
Do Class 4 shingles have wind resistance?
Class 4 roofing shingles do not necessarily feature a higher wind resistance. Wind ratings are a separate classification. People often talk about Class 4 roofing shingles and wind resistance together because high winds may cause debris to go airborne, impacting roofs and causing damage.
Is Class 4 roofing a premium product?
Benefits of Installing Class 4 Roofing Shingles. Class 4 roofing shingles are considered to be a premium product and, therefore, may cost more than standard, non-impact resistant shingles. However, due to the various benefits of Class 4, impact-resistant shingles, the extra cost upfront may be a worthwhile investment if you live in an area ...
Is a roof with intact shingles better protected?
A roof with intact, undamaged shingles is better protected season after season. Save you money on homeowner’s insurance and premiums. Many companies offer discounts for homeowners whose roofs are covered in Class 4-rated shingles. Contact your insurance provider to learn more.
Can a hail storm damage a non-impact shingle roof?
Non-impact resistant roofing shingles can be more easily damaged when struck by hail or other debris during a storm. Thanks to advancements in shingle design and construction, industry-leading roofing manufacturers have engineered asphalt roofing shingles that can withstand greater impact and therefore potentially reduce the amount of roof damage caused by a storm, such as hail damage.
What is the impact resistance test for UL 2218?
In a Class 4 UL 2218 Impact Resistance test, a 2-inch steel ball is dropped from 20 feet to see if the shingles will fracture. With a regular shingle (most of our competitors’ impact resistant shingles are only Class 3), cracks and ruptures will appear from that kind of impact. With Class 4 shingles, there are no splits or tears.
Is Northgate a fiberglass shingle?
In layman’s terms, NorthGate’s two-piece laminated fiberglass-based shingles are tougher with a stickier surface than a standard asphalt shingle. If you put NorthGate side by side with a non-modified asphalt shingle and pressed each against a pipe, you’d see the other shingle break while the NorthGate bent back against the pipe. The SBS composition helps keep the shingle from cracking, even in temps as low as 0°F. This is a shingle that was designed to withstand whatever Mother Nature’s throwing at it.
Is Northgate asphalt shingle SBS?
Our NorthGate asphalt shingle is SBS-modified. An SBS-modified shingle is manufactured with special polymers that give it “rubberized” characteristics. The benefits of NorthGate ’s SBS-modified formula include a Class 4 Impact Resistance rating (the industry’s highest), superior weatherability and improved granule adhesion, which make this, arguably, the most durable shingle in the industry. If you live in an area that’s prone to hail, this is the shingle you need.
Do you need impact resistant shingles?
Harsh conditions often signal a need for impact resistant shingles. If extreme weather conditions seem even a remote possibility (and considering the effects of climate change, they’re truly a greater threat than ever before, no matter where you live), go for the tough stuff.
What are Class 4 shingles?
Class 4 shingles, also known as impact resistant shingles, or IR shingles can withstand more powerful impacts than any other type of roof shingles . As a result, they are better able to protect your roof from severe leaks and various types of structural damage that require expensive repairs or early roof replacement.
What is the difference between class 3 and class 4 shingles?
The steel ball test is used to measure this resistance. Based on the test results, it’s easy to set Class 4 shingles apart from Class 3 shingles (and the remaining two types).
What are the different grades of roof shingles?
When it comes to selecting asphalt roofing shingles, you can choose from three grades of products. They are divided into lower-priced, mid-range, and high-end shingles. Several factors determine this division. The main ones are durability, warranty, longevity, design and cost.
How much does impact resistant roof shingles cost?
They are even cheaper than many luxury or premium quality asphalt roof shingles. On average, for materials only, impact resistant shingles cost $42-50+ per bundle (1 bundle = 33.3 sq.ft. of roofing) The price varies based on manufacturer, as well as your location.
What is a 3 tab shingle?
3-tab shingles are the lowest-quality shingles on the market. Their name comes from the design that consists of three tabs. Even though they’ve been used for decades in the roofing industry, they have the shortest warranties and feature minimal thickness.
How much does it cost to install Class 4 asphalt shingles?
On average, you can install Class 4 impact resistant asphalt shingles on a 1,600 sq.ft. roof for $4,960 – 8,950. This is about 10-20% more expensive than classic 3 tab of architectural roof shingles.
What class of shingles do not crack?
Class 4. Shingle did not crack when hit twice in the same spot by a steel ball 2.00 in. diameter. Building codes that mandate the class of impact-resistant shingles vary in each state. This largely depends on weather conditions the shingles have to resist.
