If you are getting a new roof in North Texas, someone will ask if you want Class 4 shingles. Here is what that means in plain words, and how to decide.
What "Class 4" means
Roofing is rated for hail with a lab test called UL 2218. Steel balls are dropped onto the shingle from a set height. The balls go from 1¼ inches up to 2 inches across. Class 4 is the top rating. It means the shingle took hits from the 2-inch ball without cracking or breaking through.
"Impact-rated" and "impact-resistant" mean the same thing. Most Class 4 shingles are made with a rubbery asphalt that bends when it is hit instead of cracking.
What Class 4 does not promise
- It is not hail-proof. Very large hail can still damage a Class 4 roof. North Texas sees hail bigger than 2 inches some years.
- It can still show marks. The test checks for cracks, not for dents or scuffs.
- It does not fix a bad install. A good shingle nailed in the wrong spot still fails early.
Why people in North Texas pick it anyway
- Most hail is small. Storms with hail under 2 inches are far more common than the giant ones. That everyday hail is what a Class 4 shingle is built to shrug off, while it can bruise a standard shingle.
- Fewer surprise repairs. A roof that takes small storms without damage means fewer leaks and fewer calls to a roofer.
- Your premium may change. Some insurance companies treat an impact-rated roof differently. Ask your agent what a Class 4 roof does to your premium, and get the answer for your own house before you count on it.
Who should pay more for one
Class 4 shingles cost more than standard ones. They are worth a hard look if:
- You plan to stay in the house for years.
- Your roof has been hit by hail before.
- You live out in the open, in places like Johnson or Parker County, where storms come in with nothing to slow them.
If you may sell soon, or the budget is tight, a standard architectural shingle is still a sound roof.
Want something tougher still? Many metal roofs also carry the Class 4 rating, and they last longer. Our post on metal vs. shingles compares them.
What to do next
Ask for two written prices on the same roof: a standard shingle and a Class 4 shingle. Then you can see the gap in writing and decide if it is worth it for your house. Legacy Roofing, based in Crowley, installs both. See our page on Class 4 roofing.
