Impact Resistant Roofing and Why You Need It
If you’ve ever had a car or roof damaged by hail, you probably wished for a hail resistant roof. That product now exists for homes, called impact resistant roofing, and Borders Construction can install one for you year around.
Hail Does Serious Damage
In the past decade, hailstorms resulted in almost $1.7 billion in just the US region referred to as “Hail Alley.” You can reduce the potential damage to your home by installing a hail resistant roof. Since the most damaging hail storms happen during mid-May to late July, replacing your roof in winter prepares you for the summer storms well in advance.
What Makes Impact Resistant Roofing Work?
Several aspects of a roof’s design contribute to its hail resistance. One key factor is the shingles used. Another factor is the manner of installation.
- Polymer-modified (SBS) asphalt shingles provide a greater hail resistance than oxidized asphalt shingles. SBS shingles also prove more crack resistant in temperatures as low as 0°F.
- Removing old shingles, then replacing them with new shingles improves hail resistance. Adding new shingles on top of the old ones increases hail damage potential.
- A roof pitch of 6:12 or greater improves hail resistance.
- A single, thin layer of underlayment under the shingles also increases resistance.
- Using rubber matting lets the roof seal almost instantly – even in zero degree weather.
- Install rigid roof decking, either well-supported plywood sheathing or tongue and groove decking.
- Use Class 3 or 4 impact resistant shingles. These don’t just reduce hail damage, but also wind damage. They also experience less granule loss, so you’ll find less granules in your gutters.
Class 3 and 4 shingles withstand the greatest impacts. To obtain a Class 4 rating, a shingle must withstand an impact from steel balls from various heights in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories’ Test Standard UL 2218 which simulates a hailstorm.
Costs and Benefits of an Impact Resistant Roof
An impact resistant roof does cost more. Class 4 shingles cost about $2,500, adding about $700 to the average cost of shingles. If you’re building a new home in the Chicago metropolitan area, consider a starting with a hardy 6:12 pitched roof of Class 4 shingles you’re in an older home, consider this option for your roof replacement. While the initial investment is more, you’ll earn some of your investment back annually via a homeowners insurance discount. You’ll also make more money when you re-sell your home.
Some insurance companies offer incentives up to $500 to customers who have an impact resistant roof installed. They do it to save money. In heavy storm years, hail can cause a staggering impact. During the period from 1991 to 1995, insurance companies paid out an annual average of $8 billion in hail and wind damages.
Take advantage of the insurance company savings to install the best roof possible. Contact us at Borders Construction to obtain a free estimate on the new roof or replacement. Ask about our financing plans. We can help make the best roof possible easier to afford.