Are Impact Resistant Shingle Worth the Cost

Met Description: Are impact resistant shingles worth the extra cost? Discover their benefits, durability, and whether they’re a smart investment for your roof.

Have you ever got home after an evening and stood on the roof after a storm and wondered whether it could withstand the next storm? It is the same question many homeowners pose when they begin contemplating the process of changing their roofing materials. A roof can be damaged by storms, hails, falling trees and very powerful winds. Owing to this fact, the concept of installing impact resistant shingles is being considered by more individuals.

The biggest question to most homeowners is this, are impact resistant shingles worth the additional money? Though they tend to be more expensive than the typical asphalt shingles, they are constructed to provide better resistance against storm damage and they can help to save on long run repair expenses.

Whether or not you are planning to upgrade or not upgrade your roof, this guide provides insight into how impact resistant shingles function, the difference between them and the traditional shingles, and whether they are a prudent investment to your home. 

Such companies as Northwest Roof usually suggest these shingles to the homeowners who would like to have the support of the additional coverage particularly in the places where storms and hail are frequently observed.

What Are Impact Resistant Shingles?

Impact resistant shingles are roofing shingles that are highly designed to withstand high impacts of hail, debris and other objects that may hit the roof in bad weather conditions. Although the conventional asphalt shingles offer excellent security to the majority houses, they break down, fracture or lose grains when hit by huge hails or the branches of trees.

Impact resistant shingles are made in a different design. They incorporate high grade materials and special construction engineering that assist them to absorb instead of cracking when pressure mounted on them. Most of these shingles contain polymer-modified asphalt, a fiberglass re-enforcing mat, or rubber-like substances to enable the shingle to bend, rather than break.

Large roofing manufacturers make impact resistance types of shingles. In most cases, homeowners may have the opportunity to use styles that appear almost identical to the conventional asphalt shingles yet obtain additional durability. This implies that you do not need to lose curb appeal in order to have superior protection.

To most of the homeowners that Northwest Roof deals with, it is not complicated: they choose to have a roofing system that is aesthetic and that is also designed to offer greater protection against extreme weather.

The Rating of Impact Resistance

In order to make the homeowners aware of the durability of roofing products, manufacturers also test the impact resistant shingles through a standard rating system. The most commonly known of the tests is the UL 2218 that determines the performance of roofing materials to simulated impacts.

This test involves the dropping of steel balls at various heights on the shingle. The idea is to imitate the type of effect that a storm would have, hailstones or falling debris.

Shingles would then be rated into four categories:

• Class 1 Basic light impact resistance.

• Class 2 -Moderate resistance to small impacts.

• Class 3 - Moderate storm resistance Strong resistance

• Class 4 -The maximum impact resistance possible.

Class 4 shingles have been thought of as the most durable. When they are subjected to a test process, they have to be able to resist repeated hits without breaking or letting the roofing material below them get damaged.

Besides UL testing, organizations like Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and FM Approvals also do real life storm-testing. The tests are effective in determining the ability of roofing products to withstand the conditions that are equivalent to the hailstorms and extreme weather.

When maximizing durability is the objective of designing a roofing upgrade to Northwest Roof, selecting a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle is frequently considered as a recommendation.Advantages of Impact Resistant Shingles.

The use of impact resistant shingles has a number of benefits against the conventional roofing materials. Although the initial investment is more unwieldy, several property owners believe that the benefit overrides the price gap in the long run.

Enhanced Safety in Regards to Hail and Debris

Among the greatest benefits of the impact resistant shingles is the fact that they can be used to manage hail and fallen debris better. Normal shingles can be hail damaged and its protective granules can be lost. Impact resistant shingles are constructed in such a way that they absorb the impact and stand.

This eliminates the possibility of unnoticed damage of the roof which may cause leakages or structural issues in the future. 

Improved Wind Resistance

There are also numerous impact resistant shingles that are designed to support the increased wind speed. They tend to be heavier and reinforced thus they are less prone to lift and blow off in case of strong winds.

This additional stability may particularly be useful in the case of severe storms when the roofing materials are exposed to the abrupt gusts of wind.

Longer Roof Lifespan

Impact resistant shingles are made to be resistant to damage and thus they tend to last longer compared to regular copies to shingles in adverse weather conditions. The shingles can be replaced after a while; however, durable ones have a possible advantage of prolonging the lifespan of the roof system.

This may translate to fewer repairs and extended periods without major storm damage roof repairs in case of home owners.

Reduced costs of Maintenance and Repair

Damages by the storm are extremely frequent causes of roof repairs by the house owners. The impact resistant shingles can potentially save on the maintenance expenses in the long run by minimizing the risk of broken roofing materials or shingles that are cracked.

Homeowners can have fewer problems with the roof in its life than they otherwise would due to the need to fix it regularly after each storm.

Potential Insurance Reductions

In other parts of the world, the insurance firms have provided lower premiums on homes with Class 4 impact resistant shingles. Insurance providers might find such roofs to be a less risky proposition given that they are less prone to storm damage.

Although not all insurance companies provide these discounts, homeowners are advised to contact their own insurance company about whether a roof upgrading would allow them to lower their premiums.

Better Materials and Construction

Impact resistant shingle tile repairs are reinforced with materials which assist them to resist the pressure and impact. There are products which are made of fiberglass mats combined with polymer-modified asphalt resulting in a shingle that is flexible and durable.

Such flexibility enables the shingle to take in the energy of falling hail or debris instead of breaking when pressure is applied.

To homeowners whom Northwest Roof will be doing business with, stronger materials would be an added assurance that the roof would still be there to cover the home even when weather was harsh. Contact us for tile and shingle repair services.

Pros and cons of Impact Resistant Shingles

Impact resistant shingles similar to any other upgrade of the home have both benefits and factors to consider. This is because knowing the two sides will aid the homeowners in making an informed decision.

Pros

• Durability is the greatest benefit of the impact resistant shingles. They are also made to manage storms, compared with the conventional roofing materials, which are likely to crack or leak, or even blow off the roofs.

• They also provide a potential long-term value, which is reduced maintenance costs and potentially increased roof life.

• In regions where there are storms, most of the homeowners perceive them as a convenient improvement which may save them the expense of expensive repairs.

  
  

Cons

• The biggest demerit with impact resistant shingles is the increased upkeep cost. These shingles may be very expensive as compared to simple asphalt shingles, particularly when they are fitted over a whole roof.

• The other factor is that not every house will really require them. In the areas where hailstorms and extreme weather are not common, the increased longevity might not be worth the increased cost in the long term.

• Asphalt shingles, which are of standard type, can still offer reliable protection at a reduced price to some of the homeowners.

  
  

Installation Requirement

Installation of impact resistant shingles cannot be done without proper methods and techniques. Even the most durable roofing materials may not be able to withstand when not put in place properly.

The manufacturers usually include certain guidelines on installation of their impact resistant goods. Such directions might involve demands related to underlayment, ventilation, nail installation, and patterns of fastening.

Due to this fact, it is always advisable that homeowners engage the experienced roofing contractors whenever installing these shingles. The correct installation will guarantee that the shingles work to the expectation and warranties are valid.

Contractors such as Northwest Roof are interested in adhering to the instructions of the manufacturers to ensure that the homeowners can enjoy the maximum advantages of the roofing system they settle on.

Learning Roofing Warranties

The majority of impact resistant shingles are designed with warranties issued by the manufacturers against some of the defects. Such warranty may differ according to the brand and the product line.

It should be noted though that homeowners should be aware of what is covered in the warranty. Other warranties can also encompass an extra cover to a material problem, whereas others just include manufacturing defects.

There may not be coverage of installation errors, ventilation problems or improper maintenance. This is the reason why it is important to install it professionally.

Homeowners need to enquire about warranty details, warranty duration and terms that may nullify the warranty before engaging in a roofing upgrade.

Do Impact Resistant Shingles Pay Back?

The value of impact resistant shingles is determined by one or more factors, such as the place, weather, and future intentions of the home.

The shingles can also be of great benefit to home owners residing in regions with a high incidence of hailstorms, strong winds or intense storms. The additional strength may assist in avoiding any damage and minimizing the chances of having to pay costly repair.

The upgrade is not as necessary to the homeowners, in the warmer climates, but it can also offer the homeowners peace of mind and durability.

Finally, it should be settled on the intensity of weather in your location and your general roofing cost.

Most of the homeowners are engaging roofing experts such as Northwest Roof to investigate on their existing roof, discuss the local weather conditions and whether impact resistant shingles are viable to their particular scenarios. Contact us to know about the types of asphalt shingles and its repair.

Selecting the Impact Resistant Roofing Materials

In case you consider installing impact resistant shingles, you need to select the correct product to be installed in your house. The various materials vary in the degree of durability, style and cost.

Impact resistant shingles made of asphalt are typically the cheapest and can be easily blended with the conventional roof structures. Shingles can also be synthetic or composite, which can be even more durable; however, the price of composite ones can be higher.

When making a choice, homeowners would have to look at:

• Total durability and impact rating

• Product looks and color specifications

• Manufacturer warranty

• Expected lifespan

• Installation requirement

An informed contractor would be of use in clarifying the variations of products and provide you with what shingles will work well in your local climate.

When You Should Hire a Roofing Contractor

You may need to consider a routine professional inspection in case your roof is worn out or it has been damaged recently by a storm. Missing tiles, curling sides, or cracks showing may mean that the roof is nearing the possibility of finishing its duty period.

A roofing expert will be able to examine the roof framework, examine flashing and ventilation and recognize concealed problems that may not be observed beneath the building.

Should they need to replace them, the contractor may also assist in deciding whether the impact resistant shingles can be a good addition to your home.

The common beginning of the relationship between Northwest Roof and homeowners is a simple inspection or consultation. This will enable them to know the roofing they can choose and have clear advice depending on the state of the current roof.

Final Thoughts

The impact resistant shingles are constructed to give better protection against hail, debris and extreme weather. They are more expensive than the standard asphalt shingles, but they are better in terms of durability, may result in insurance benefits, and can have fewer repairs over their life.

Investment in impact resistant shingles is a viable solution to homeowners living in storm prone regions in that this investment can help them secure their homes and save more money in terms of roofing expenditures.

The choice however all depends on where you are situated, weather risks and budget. Given that idea, it would be worth consulting expert roofing contractors such as Northwest Roof in order to find out whether changing to impact resistant shingles is the correct decision to make with your home.