Is an upgrade worth exploring?
Start with your own situation rather than a sales pitch.
- IfYou plan to stay in the home for many hail seasonsThenAn upgrade has more years to prove its value. Ask for the difference in cost between the standard and impact-rated product in writing.
- IfYour insurer offers a premium credit for impact-rated roofsThenAsk what documentation they need, such as the product label or a certificate, and how long the credit lasts.
- IfYour HOA restricts colors or profilesThenCheck the approved list first. Some impact-rated lines come in fewer colors.
- IfYou are selling soonThenThe upgrade may still help a listing, but recovering the extra cost is less certain.
- IfThe insurer will only pay for like-kind materialsThenYou would usually pay the difference yourself. Get both quotes before deciding.
What Class 4 means
Class 4 refers to the highest rating in a widely used laboratory impact test, in which steel balls of increasing size are dropped on a shingle sample. A Class 4 product withstood the largest ball without cracking in that test. It is a useful comparison between products, but it is not a promise that a roof will survive every storm. Very large hail, repeated storms or damage at vents and flashing can still require repairs.
Impact-rated asphalt shingles generally use a modified asphalt that stays more flexible, or a reinforced backing, so the mat dents rather than fractures. They often weigh more than standard architectural shingles and may handle downslope wind better because the shingle is tougher at the edges, though wind ratings are listed separately and are worth checking on their own.
Standard architectural versus impact-rated
Standard architectural shingles
- Usually what a like-kind claim covers
- Widest choice of colors and profiles
- Familiar to every roofer in the area
- More likely to fracture in moderate to large hail
Class 4 impact-rated shingles
- Extra cost is usually the owner's unless the existing roof was already rated
- Possible insurance premium credit; ask your carrier
- Fewer color options in some lines
- Better odds of surviving moderate hail without functional damage
Details to pin down before signing
- Exact product name
- Write the manufacturer and product line into the contract, not just 'Class 4'
- Rating proof
- Ask for the wrapper label or a product data sheet showing the impact class
- Accessories
- Ridge caps and starter strips should come from a compatible line
- Permit
- Reroofing in most of El Paso County requires a permit through the regional building department
Questions for your insurer and roofer
- Does my policy already list my roof as impact-rated, and will this replacement change that?
- Is there a premium credit for a Class 4 roof, and what paperwork do you need?
- What is the line-item difference between the like-kind shingle and the upgrade?
- Will the upgrade change the ventilation or underlayment plan?
- Does the HOA need to approve the specific product before work starts?
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.