When replacing your roof, you need to think carefully about the type of roofing material you want to use. This is especially true in the Fort Lauderdale area due to the risk of tropical storms or hurricanes causing flying debris to smash into your roof and damage it.
Metal roofing is always the superior choice in terms of impact resistance, but many homeowners prefer shingles over metal for aesthetic reasons. Unfortunately, most shingles are relatively fragile and can easily get damaged during a storm. One solution is to install impact-resistant shingles.
You will have a much lower chance of your roof getting damaged, but they are more expensive than other shingles. Read this guide to impact-resistant roofing types to pick shingles that meet your expectation for durability, protection, and cost.
An Overview of Impact-Resistance Ratings and What They Mean
To qualify for an impact-resistance rating, shingles must meet the requirements of the UL 2218 test. This test involves dropping different-sized steel balls onto the shingles from varying heights. The purpose of this is to simulate the shingles getting struck by hail or flying debris to see how much of an impact they can withstand without breaking, cracking, or otherwise getting damaged.
Following the test, the shingles are then given a rating from 1 to 4. Class 1 shingles have the least impact resistance, and Class 4 shingles are the most resistant. To qualify for a Class 3 rating, the shingles must withstand repeated hits from a 1-3/4-inch steel ball dropped from a height of 17 feet. Class 4 shingles can withstand the impact of a 2-inch steel ball dropped from a height of 20 feet. Class 1 shingles, on the other hand, only have to withstand the impact of a 1-1/4-inch steel ball dropped from a height of 12 feet.
It’s important to note that the UL 2218 test is not a requirement. Instead, it’s something that manufacturers can voluntarily choose to do. That means many shingles on the market are either not impact resistant or haven’t been tested to see how resistant they are. Almost all older-style three-tab shingles are not impact-resistant and have relatively low wind-resistance ratings. A large percentage of architectural shingles are fairly impact and wind resistant, as they are quite a bit thicker than three-tab shingles.
The Science Behind Impact-Resistant Shingles
Asphalt shingles consist of a fiberglass mat that’s coated in a layer of asphalt. Ceramic-coated mineral granules are then embedded into the top layer of asphalt to create an additional protective layer and give the shingles their color.
Some impact-resistant shingles are made the same way, except that they contain additional layers of asphalt to increase their strength, durability, and flexibility. However, most are made by combining polymers with the asphalt or using SBS-modified bitumen, which is asphalt that has a type of synthetic rubber added to it. You can also find impact-resistant composite shingles, which consist of various polymers and other materials.
Benefits of Impact-Resistant Shingles for South Florida Homes
The biggest concern when living in South Florida is the potential damage a tropical storm or hurricane can do to your home. Tropical storm or hurricane winds will often tear at least some shingles off a roof, especially if the shingles weren’t installed properly and aren’t securely fastened to the roof. Flying debris is another concern, as it can act like a missile and cause significant damage to shingles on impact. This is where investing in impact-resistant shingles, especially Class 4 shingles, can pay off.
Impact-resistant shingles cost quite a bit more upfront, but they’re almost always a worthwhile investment for homes in our area. During a major storm, any flying debris that hits a roof will almost certainly cause standard shingles to crack or break. This then greatly increases the chances of those shingles getting torn off by the wind.
Once a few shingles are gone, the wind will typically tear off at least some of the remaining shingles in that area. This creates open areas where water can more easily seep in through the roof from heavy rains, potentially causing extensive damage to the inside of the house.
Even Class 4 shingles won’t be able to withstand the impact of much larger pieces of flying debris. Nonetheless, they will still hold up far better and be much less likely to get damaged than standard shingles. This is one of the main reasons why they’re a worthwhile investment, as they can help you avoid having to pay for extensive roof repairs or having to replace your entire roof after a storm. The fact that impact-resistant shingles are thicker, stronger, and more durable also means that they usually have a longer lifespan compared to standard shingles.
The increase in the number of yearly hurricanes and the frequency of major Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has led to the majority of insurance companies continually raising their rates or just leaving Florida and other hurricane-prone states altogether. The high rates you typically have to pay for homeowner’s insurance in our area is another reason why opting for impact-resistant shingles is a wise decision.
Insurance companies understand there’s a lower chance of them having to pay out for a storm damage claim to repair or replace a roof with impact-resistant shingles. This is precisely why many insurance companies in our area offer discounted premiums for houses with impact-resistant shingles. In many cases, you can reduce your premiums by somewhere between 10% and 30% by installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles on your roof.
Some companies also provide at least a small discount for homes with Class 3 shingles. Some companies now won’t even insure a home unless it has impact-resistant shingles and impact-resistant windows. When you consider the potential insurance discount, reduced repair needs, and longer lifespan, installing impact-resistant shingles will typically result in long-term savings.
Another factor to consider is the impact your choice of roofing material has on the value of your home. Replacing your roof always adds to your home’s value, but impact-resistant shingles will increase the value quite a bit more compared to standard shingles. That means you’ll get a better return on your investment with impact-resistant shingles if you decide to sell your house in the coming years.
Rely on the South Florida Experts
As the most-trusted roofing company in the Fort Lauderdale area, Action Roofing is the company to rely on for all your needs. With offices in Pompano Beach, Stuart, and Ocala, we’ve been serving home and business owners in South Florida since 1986 and have a reputation for thorough and honest roof inspections, excellent workmanship, and top-notch customer service.
We install and repair shingle roofs as well as metal, tile, and flat roofs. Our team brings an unmatched level of dedication and professionalism to every roofing project. If you need to replace your roof, we offer quality products from some of the best brands in the industry, including GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Westlake, and Eagle Roofing Products.
For more information on the range of impact-resistant shingles we offer, contact us today.
