When it comes to investing in new roofing material, it’s important to get your money’s worth regarding your peace of mind. This means you don’t just want to go with any type of asphalt shingles — you want to make sure you choose impact-resistant shingles.
These shingles are a homeowner’s dream as they hold up to not only the everyday elements but severe weather events and last longer than traditional asphalt shingles. Below, we’ll cover all the benefits associated with these shingles, plus other things homeowners should know about them.
Read on to learn more.
What Are Impact Resistant Shingles?
Impact-resistant shingles refer to roof shingles that are specifically designed to withstand the impact of:
- Hailstones
- Strong winds
- Debris that are thrown around during high winds and heavy storms
this type of shingle is typically made of rubberized asphalt. Rubberized asphalt provides the ultimate protection against any weather-related damages, which also works to help prolong the roofing system’s lifespan.
When it comes down to comparing asphalt shingles, impact-resistant shingles will always be categorized as Class 4 shingles (meaning they have a Class 4 impact rating.) This means that the roof shingles have been tested to meet the industry standards regarding ratings for hail stone impact and wind resistance.
Here’s what separates impact-resistant shingles from standard asphalt shingles:
- A reinforced, polymer-based mesh. This process involves adding reinforcing materials to the back of the standard asphalt shingles. The reinforcing materials in question are polymer-based mesh, which is designed to increase the strength and durability — and, therefore, the impact resistance — of the shingles.
- Added rubber-like polymers. These shingles are also made up of rubber-like polymers, like styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). The SBS is added right into the asphalt composition to ensure more flexibility for increased impact resistance. The SBS also helps to reduce the brittleness of the asphalt shingles for better resistance to wind, hail, and debris damage.
- A Class 4 impact rating. Impact-resistant shingles must also receive a class 4 impact-resistant rating. To receive this rating, the asphalt shingles with their additives must undergo a lab test known as “the steel ball test,” which measures the impact resistance by simply dropping a steel ball from 20 inches. If the shingles don’t sustain any damage during the test. The structural integrity is also determined by measuring tear and tensile strength to ensure reliability and the class 4 impact rating.
Generally speaking, these roof shingles give homeowners peace of mind by guaranteeing superior protection against weather-related damage. Ultimately, this reduces the need for unnecessary and costly repairs or the need for a replacement in the future.
The Benefits of Impact-Resistant Shingles
Having impact-resistant shingles installed is an excellent way to ensure your home is protected while also enhancing its overall value. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of having impact-resistant shingles installed with your next roofing system.
1. Enhanced Durability
Arguably the greatest benefit of impact-resistant shingles is the fact that they’re engineered using a rubberized asphalt that’s much thicker than the asphalt granule mixture used for traditional asphalt shingles. This is what makes impact-resistant shingles so much more durable and able to withstand intense situations that involve hailstones, tree branches, high winds, and heavy rains.
2. Increased Energy Efficiency
Impact-resistant shingles are also known to be more energy efficient compared to standard asphalt shingles. Thanks to their specialized coating, impact-resistant shingles are much better when it comes to reflecting sunlight, which significantly reduces the amount of heat that enters the home through the roof.
By reducing the heat that enters the home, you’ll be able to save money on your energy bills as the cost to maintain comfortable temperatures since your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep up.
3. Better Curb Appeal
Impact-resistant shingles come in a variety of styles and color options. This means you won’t have to compromise style for durability, and you can choose the shingles that are going to not only protect your home but give it a noticeable upgrade.
In addition to curb appeal, the roofing materials will also boost your home’s overall property value. So, if you’re looking to sell your home within the next few years, having impact-resistant shingles will give you the upper hand when it comes time to negotiate with the buyer.
4. Superior Insurance Coverage
Many homeowners insurance companies out there offer discounts or better premiums for homes that have impact-resistant roofing shingles installed. This is largely due to the shingles’ overall design that works to prevent damages from occurring to your roof, and insurance companies thrive on not having to pay for damages.
Whether you’re installing new impact-resistant shingles or buying a home with fairly new impact-resistant shingles, the odds will be more in your favor when it comes time to renew or sign up for a new insurance policy.
5. Reduced Instances of Roof Repairs
Impact-resistant shingles are preferred among homeowners as they extend the lifespan of the roofing system thanks to their durability. The fact that these shingles are more difficult to damage means there will be less of a need for future repairs due to storm damage.
Keep in mind that having to make frequent repairs on a roof ends up costing more than simply replacing the roof. Frequent repairs also shorten the lifespan of a roof, which means you’ll end up paying double in the long run.
Not only will impact-resistant shingles extend the life of your roof, but they’ll save you money throughout their lifetime as well.
Are Impact Resistant Shingles Worth the Cost?
The standard asphalt shingle costs between $ and $2 per square foot. This works out to an average of $2,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Compared to traditional shingles, impact shingles are a significant expense as they can cost between 10% to 25% more for the same-sized roof. Of course, it’s their overall impact resistance that adds to the price tag.
Of course, the additional cost of traditional shingles will show up in various ways, including:
- On your home insurance premium
- Any repairs your roof may eventually need due to storm damage or other kinds of impact damage
- Any repairs needed for your attic space or home’s interior spaces due to roof damage — such as water intrusion and structural damage.
- Having to replace your roof prematurely due to too many roof leaks or other kinds of damage that weaken the overall structure of your roofing system.
Essentially, the money you would spend on Class 4 impact resistant roofing shingles would undoubtedly save you money in the long run. This is especially true if you live in an area that sees its fair share of hail storms and hail damage — plus other extreme weather conditions.
Are You Ready For a New Roof?
Impact-resistant shingles are the best choice you can make for your roofing system as a homeowner. They’re guaranteed to extend the life of your roof and provide your home with an additional layer of protection, which means you won’t have to worry about your roof for a long time.
If you’re thinking about investing in impact-resistant shingle roofing, make sure you hire the right roofing contractor. The experts at Roof Troopers are specially trained and experienced when it comes to installing impact-resistant shingles and more.
Give us a call today to learn more about our roofing services and how impact-resistant shingles will benefit your home.
