If you live in an area prone to severe hailstorms, investing in a hail damage roof that is resistant to the impact of hail can spare you from stress and reduce the damage these weather conditions can cause.
Hailstorms can wreak considerable havoc on properties that aren’t properly equipped to resist the force of nature.
As the home’s first line of defense, the roof is where homeowners’ weather-proofing efforts should begin.
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What Is A Hail Damage Roof?
A roof that can protect your home from hail is made from durable materials that can withstand a considerable force of impact and wind.
Roofing materials are tested by an independent organization called the Underwriters Laboratories to determine their resistance and durability.
To be regarded as hail resistant, the material needs to receive the highest classification, Class 4 qualification, according to the UL2218 standard.
Homeowners need to remember that hail-resistant does not mean hail-proof.
Even the best roofing materials can’t guarantee 100% protection from violent storms. Nevertheless, your property will have a much better chance of remaining unscathed if your roof is covered by specially engineered Class 4 shingles.
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Cost Of A Hail Proof Roof
Hail resistant roofing typically costs homeowners 10%-20% more than just going one class lower.
Compared to regular shingles, the price of Class 4 materials can be twice as much. With installation, hail resistant roofing costs between $3.50 and $15 per square foot.
The installation of a hail proof roof is not on the low end of roof installation averages.
Here are the prices you can expect depending on the size of your roof.
| Roof Size (In Square Feet) | Total Cost of Hail-Resistant Roofing |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $3,500-$15,000 |
| 1,200 | $4,200-$18,000 |
| 1,500 | $5,250-$22,500 |
| 2,000 | $7,000-$30,000 |
| 2,250 | $7,875-$33,750 |
Hail Resistant Roof Cost Breakdown
The total cost of a hail resistant roof installation includes the impact-resistant shingles, the roofing accessories, the labor, as well as the removal of the previous roof, if necessary.
Here’s a cost breakdown.
Cost per sq. ft.
Roof Size:
Roofing Material:
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Cost of Roofing Materials
Materials come in a massive price range.
Class 4 shingles cost more than many other roofing types. You’ll find hail resistant roofing from about $3 per square foot. Roofing materials are often sold in squares containing 100 square feet of materials, so a square will cost at least $300.
Cost of Labor
Labor can cost from $1.50-$5.00 per square foot, with the typical price being between $3-$4.
Contractors might quote you based on roofing squares, in which case you can expect a number between $100-$500. Naturally, this number varies from place to place.
The roofing material and the roof’s pitch also play a role in the final price.
Cost of Roofing Accessories
Roofing accessories like nails, flashing, and underlayment can cost an additional $400-$800.
Depending on the contractor, this may be included in the labor cost.
Cost of Tear-Off
While some types of shingles can be secured over previous layers, others require the tear-off of the existing roofing before they can be installed. Removing the roofing costs $1-$2 per square foot or $100-$200 per square.
Permits
Depending on where you live, special permits may be necessary before you can begin a roof construction project. This can cost a few hundred dollars.
Again, your contractors will usually take care of this.
Pro Tip: Figure out how much material you will need by estimating the size of your roof. As a rule of thumb, the square footage of the roof is about 1.5 times the square footage of your home.
This means that an 800-square-foot one-story house will have a roof of about 1,200 square feet. The pitch of your roof and the home’s architecture can affect this number.
Effects Of Hail Damage
Hailstorms are no joking matter. Although these storms are typically short, they can injure people and cause catastrophic damage to properties and crops.
Hailstones can range from 0.25 inches in diameter (pea- or marble-size) to more than 3 inches (lumps of ice as big as a baseball, softball, or even a grapefruit). Anything above 0.75 inches is considered severe.
Large hailstones can damage even the strongest roofs.
You might find the following types of damage when checking your property after a hailstorm.
- Cracked, broken, or dented shingles
- Granules from broken shingles accumulating in your gutters
- Bruises on the roof
- Missing shingles
- Damaged flashing, vents, and gutters
Hail Resistance Of Popular Roofing Materials
Each roofing material comes in numerous types, some of which are more resistant to hailstorms than others. Whichever roofing material you choose, making sure it has a Class 4 impact resistance is key.
Here are some of the best hail resistant roof options for hailstorm-prone areas and the price you can expect.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles have always been popular since they are affordable and versatile.
Although not the most hail resistant material out there, there are Class 3 and Class 4 asphalt shingles on the market that are more durable than the regular variety and will hold up against hailstorms.
Asphalt shingles of this quality cost between $3.50-$5.50.
EPDM Rubber Roofing
EPDM rubber is easily one of the best, if not the best, roofing materials for areas prone to hailstorms.
Thick rubber roofing with a 75-90 mil membrane can absorb the impact of incoming hailstones without cracking like some other materials.
EPDM rubber is also pretty long-lasting and is on the more affordable side, costing between $4-$8..
TPO Roofing
Often used for flat roofs, TPO roofing isn’t the most hail resistant material on our list.
Fully adhered TPO roofs still hold up fairly well against hailstorms. This material is more affordable and costs between $3.50 and $5 per square foot.
Natural Slate
Natural slate is a strong material with amazing durability. It’s also resistant to hail, with higher-quality grades being a preferable choice for areas with frequent hailstorms.
Slate isn’t used too widely due to its heavy weight. Natural slate costs between $10 and $16 per square foot.
Synthetic Slate Roofing
Synthetic slate is more affordable than natural slate yet can still have reasonable hail resistance. If your area only gets hailstones of about 2 inches in diameter, this type of roofing should suffice.
Synthetic slate costs $9-$12 per square foot.
Metal Roofing
Metal is difficult to rival when it comes to durability and hail resistance.
All types of metal roofing are hail resistant but a thick, UL2218 Class-4-rated one possesses superior resistance to the impact of falling hailstones.
Metal roofing is on the more expensive side and costs $12-$13 per square foot.
Copper Roofing
Much like other metals, copper roofing has excellent resistance to the elements.
Copper roofing is very durable and can usually withstand hailstorms with no problem.
Most copper roofs are rated Class 4 and start from $11 per square foot but can cost up to $15 per square foot.
Cedar Roofing
Cedar shakes are also a good hail resistant choice, considering their price. Look for cedar shakes with a Class 3 or 4 rating.
They are approximately $6-$9.50 per square foot.
Popular Hail Proof Roofing Costs
Here’s how much it would cost to roof a 1,000-square-foot roof with the hail resistant materials mentioned above.
| Material | Cost per Square Foot | Total Cost for 1,000-Square-Foot Roof |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Shingles | $3.50-$5.50 | $3,500-$5,500 |
| EPDM Rubber | $4-$8 | $4,000-$8,000 |
| TPO | $3.50-$5 | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Natural Slate | $10-$16 | $10,000-$16,000 |
| Synthetic Slate | $9-$12 | $9,000-$12,000 |
| Metal Roofing | $12-$13 | $12,000-$13,000 |
| Copper Roofing | $11-$15 | $11,000-$15,000 |
| Cedar Roofing | $6-$9.50 | $6,000-$9,500 |
Did you know? Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material in the U.S. More than 80% of roofing projects utilize this material, whether in three-tab or architectural variety.
What Is The Most Hail Resistant Material For A Roof?
Metal is the hands down the best choice and has a set of advantages over other materials.
Metal roofs will hardly get damaged by hailstorms. You won’t have to worry about cracks and holes.
Metal might still show minor dents where the hailstones hit. This isn’t as noticeable when it comes to thicker metal roofs.
Are Hail Resistant Shingles Worth It?
The answer to this question depends on where you live.
The roof is a crucial element of the home, so it pays off to invest in a higher-quality material if you have the budget. If your area rarely sees hailstorms, choosing a highly impact-resistant material may not be necessary.
In hailstorm-prone areas, hail resistant shingles are worth the investment. It only takes one look at the damage a hailstorm can cause to see why.
How Do I Know If My Roof Is Impact-Resistant?
If you’re unsure about the impact resistance of your current shingles, your property may be exposed to the risk of hailstorm damage without your knowledge.
You’ll need to contact your contractors or the manufacturer to inquire about the impact resistance rating of your current roofing. Class 3 or 4, by the UL2218 standard, is what you should be looking for.
What Happens If I Find Hail Damage On My Rubber Roof?
Rubber roofing may be hail resistant, but nothing is invincible.
Although you won’t have to deal with cracked shingles, you might notice dents or dimples signaling a damaged rubber roof.
While this may not seem serious, the impact might have damaged the insulating board underneath the rubber. In that case, it may be necessary to replace the roof.
Your roof may still be under warranty, which usually ranges between 5-40 years for rubber roofs. In that case, you’ll need to contact your contractor and file a claim.
Are Metal Roofs Better For Hail Resistance?
Metal roofs are some of the best hail resistant roofing options out there.
Only lagging slightly behind EPDM rubber, a metal roof performs better than most other roofing materials, including asphalt shingles.
What Is Considered A Hail Resistant Roof?
Hail resistance is technically impact resistance in the world of roofing.
This definition tells us how well the roofing can hold up against the impact of falling objects hitting the shingles. Impact resistance is determined on a scale from 1-4, with Class 4 being the most resistant to impact.
Class 4 can withstand the impact and wind a hailstorm involves, but Class 3 roofing materials have a notable degree of hail resistance too.
What Size Hail Will Damage A Metal Roof?
Although metal roofs are highly resistant to hail, they can also show signs of damage after getting hit by large hailstones.
Metal roofs are typically tested with 2-inch metal balls and hold up well up to this size.
Hailstones larger than 2 inches in diameter might lead to some level of damage. The damage is most often only of a cosmetic nature. Extreme hailstorms with hailstones larger than 4 inches will damage anything, including metal roofing.
Did you know? The largest hailstone recorded in the U.S. was 8 inches in diameter. The hailstone was found in 2010 in South Dakota, one of the most hailstorm-prone states of the country.
Why Is Hail A Problem for Your Roof?
In a severe hailstorm, hailstones of 1-1.75 inches can fall as fast as 25-40 miles per hour, hitting roofs with a massive force. These hailstones are often larger than what Class 1 or 2 roofing materials were tested with, which can easily lead to damaged shingles.
Hail damage isn’t always obvious, which makes it even more dangerous. Failing to attend to a damaged roof can lead to further water damage that can be very expensive to repair.
In Which States Is Hail A Problem?
The citizens of numerous U.S. states are well-aware of the dangers of hail. These storms are especially prevalent across the middle of the country.
The following states are particularly exposed to hail damage.
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- South Dakota
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- North Dakota
What Is A Class 3 Or 4 Roof?
Roofing materials endure a thorough testing process before they hit the shelves. Depending on their resistance to impact, they receive a rating from 1-4. On this scale, the higher the number, the better the shingles hold up against falling objects, including hailstones.
Roofing that does not crack even when hit with a 1.75-inch-diameter steel ball twice in the same place receives the Class 3 rating.
Shingles that can withstand the repeated impact of a 2-inch steel ball are categorized as Class 4 shingles and are the strongest on the market.
Who Makes The Best Class 4 Shingles?
If you’re looking for hail resistant Class 4 shingles, CertainTeed is a great place to start.
They boast some of the highest-quality hail resistant shingles, and their products come in a vast color range.
GAF and Owens Corning also offer highly resistant shingles worth looking into.
Is It Worth It To Install A Roof That Resists Hail Impact?
A hail proof roof is indispensable in areas where frequent hailstorms wreak havoc on properties. Although these roofing materials are more expensive than regular shingles, they pay for themselves in durability and longevity.
Budget-conscious homeowners can purchase EPDM rubber roofing for a reasonable price.
Those looking for maximum longevityy should go with metal roofs. A Class 4-rated version of any of the materials above will provide better protection from hailstorms than regular roofing.
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For over 20 years Leo has run a successful roofing business in New England, specializing in metal roofing, as well as cool flat roofing technologies. Having replaced and installed hundreds of roofs in New England, Leo has first hand experience with pretty much every residential roofing material and roofing manufacturer available in the US.
