While most of the hail damage in Colorado occurs on the plains and along the foothills, where the state had the second highest number of hail claims during the 2013-2015 period (182,591), the mountains also experience frequent hail storms during the summer months.
Thankfully, hailstones in the mountains rarely reach the size of hailstones on the plains and foothills, but depending on the type of roofing material that is used, hail damage can still occur.
A roofing material’s resistance to impact damage is rated on a scale of 1 through 4 by the national standard UL 2218. Impact resistance testing is performed with steel balls that simulate 90-mph hailstones of different sizes. A roof material with a class 4 rating is the toughest.
Certain types of asphalt shingles are susceptible to hail damage because the hail can wear away the granular covering. If a shingle loses enough granules are knocked off, the underlying asphalt can become exposed, causing them to deteriorate more quickly. Modified asphalt shingles are designed to be more impact resistant than standard shingles by being more flexible, which allows them to resist hail damage more effectively.
What type of roof material is most hail resistant? Class 4 products made of metal, plastic and composite materials. These products are ideal for the Colorado mountain environment because they are engineered to not only withstand hail, but also perform very well in high winds and heavy ice and snow conditions. They also offer superior fire resistance.
Have questions about roofing materials for your mountain home or commercial building? Give the Roofing Company a cal