What is a Class 4 Impact-Resistant Rating
Protective Roofing Solutions with Upslope Contracting Inc
Colorado is one of the most hail-prone roofing environments in the country, making material selection extremely important. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are asphalt shingles that have achieved the highest impact rating under the UL 2218 impact-resistance standard.
During UL 2218 testing, roofing materials are impacted with steel balls of different sizes to evaluate their resistance to cracking, splitting, tearing, or fracturing. A Class 4 shingle is tested using a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet onto multiple areas of the shingle surface. To pass, the shingle must resist structural damage to the mat after impact.
Many Class 4 shingles are manufactured with enhanced impact-resistance technology, such as SBS polymer-modified asphalt, rubberized asphalt blends, reinforced backing, or strengthened fiberglass mat construction. These technologies help the shingle absorb and distribute impact energy better than a standard architectural shingle.
While no asphalt shingle is completely hail-proof, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are designed to reduce the likelihood of functional hail damage, improve roof durability, and provide stronger protection against Colorado’s hail, wind-driven debris, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles.
For many Colorado homeowners, Class 4 shingles are a smart upgrade because they may qualify for insurance premium discounts depending on the insurance carrier, policy, and approved product installed. Upslope Contracting can provide the proper Class 4 product documentation after installation so homeowners can submit it to their insurance carrier for review.
It is important to understand that Class 4 impact resistance is only one part of a complete roofing system. Proper installation, ventilation, underlayment, ice and water shield, starter shingles, ridge cap, flashing, and code-compliant details all play a major role in long-term roof performance.
At Upslope Contracting, we recommend Class 4 impact-resistant roofing systems for homeowners who want stronger protection, better long-term value, and a roof system built for Colorado’s extreme weather.
Class 4 = Insurance Premium Rates Discount
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What “Class 4” Actually Means
Class 4 is not a brand name. It is a performance rating. Roofing materials are tested under the UL 2218 impact-resistance standard, which ranks materials from Class 1 through Class 4, with Class 4 being the highest rating.
Rating Test Impact Size General Meaning
Class 1 1.25-inch steel ball Lowest passing impact rating
Class 2 1.5-inch steel ball Moderate impact resistance
Class 3 1.75-inch steel ball Higher impact resistance
Class 4 2-inch steel ball Highest UL 2218 impact rating
What Makes Class 4 Shingles Stronger
Depending on the manufacturer, Class 4 shingles may use:
- SBS polymer-modified asphalt for rubber-like flexibility.
- Reinforced fiberglass mat construction for added strength.
- Polymeric backing to help resist fracture.
- Improved granule adhesion to reduce surface damage.
- Heavier laminated construction compared to basic shingles.
GAF describes SBS-modified asphalt as providing rubber-like flexibility and increased impact resistance, while CertainTeed’s ClimateFlex technology uses rubberizing polymers to improve impact resistance and all-weather performance. Owens Corning’s Duration STORM shingles use WeatherGuard Technology with a reinforcing polymeric backing to achieve Class 4 impact resistance
Contact us today for a free estimate and to see if you qualify for discounts
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free estimate for your roofing project. Our team of experts will assess your needs and provide you with a detailed quote for our services.