What is an Impact Resistant shingle?
An impact resistant shingle has met the test criteria to achieve a class rating from 1 to 4 with 1 having the least impact resistance and 4 having the greatest resistance to impact. Hail damage to asphalt shingles may include severe granule loss, material loss at shingle edges, and penetration. Wind can also create serious roof damage-it is documented that roof material failure was the most widespread type of damage from Hurricane Hugo (Manning, Billy R. and Gary G. Nichols. 1991. “Hugo Lessons Learned.” In Hurricane Hugo One Year Later, Benjamin A. Sill and Peter R. Sparks, Editors. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers). New shingle products are designed to resist damage from impact and high winds. They meet the most stringent standards for impact resistance (Class 4) set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and wind resistance set by UL and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International). Several manufacturers offer asphalt shingles designed to resist the e
