4 Roofing Materials To Protect Against Hail Damage

Did you know that hail damage is one of the leading causes for home insurance claims in the U.S.?

In fact, it’s not uncommon for 10 or 11 million properties a year to claim for hail damage. With weather patterns becoming more unpredictable and extreme in certain areas, choosing the right roofing material can also offer better protection.

Still, deciding to go for new roofing materials – or even a whole new roof – is a serious investment. 

To help you make the right decision for your home, we’ve compiled the top four roofing materials for protecting against hail damage.

Most Hail-Resistant Roofing Materials

While protecting your home against hail damage is important, we understand that aesthetics and price also play a big part in your decision. Below, we’re outlining four possible materials along with their most appealing qualities.

Protect Against Hail Damage With Rubber Shingles

If you were picking a material based purely on its ability to withstand hail, rubber shingles would be at or near the top of the list.

Because of its rubber construction, these shingles are able to absorb the impact of the hail. They’re also quite resilient as they send the hail bouncing off.

Contrary to what some homeowners believe, rubber shingles can also be fairly attractive, too. Modern rubber shingles share a passing resemblance to asphalt shingles.

Their other redeeming quality is that they are better for the environment than comparable shingles. Rubber shingles can be made from recycled materials, including tires, which helps to keep their costs down, too.

How Metal Roofing Stands Up To Hail Damage

Another strong roofing material, metal is also known for its durability and resilience to hail damage.

In particular, steel roofs can stand up to the impacts of large-sized hail. 

One alluring aspect of a metal roof is that it comes with a distinct look. If you’re looking to channel a more Southwestern vibe, this could be a good design option.

While steel roofs are resistant to hail, they are not invincible. If the hailstones are large enough, they can end up leaving a dent. Over a long enough span of time, a steel roof can end up looking pock-marked. 

The other noticeable downside of a steel roof? They’re noisy!

The Damage Resistance Of Stone-Coated Steel Shingles

Sometimes the best performing shingle against hail can be a fusion of two styles.

By combining steel tiles with a stone coating, your roof gets the strength of steel with the more aesthetically pleasing look of wood, asphalt, or clay.

For homeowners who would like more control over the look of their roof, a stone-coated steel shingle is a good way to go. 

That control does come with a cost, however, and this will set you back a bit more than a rubber or metal roof would.

Why Asphalt Shingles Aren’t Ideal For Yearly Hail Damage

Many homeowners default to asphalt shingles for their home, so we wanted to include them on this list to keep you informed.

While asphalt shingles have a great style and they are affordable, they are not ideal for areas with a tendency toward hail storms. 

Ultimately asphalt is just a weaker material when compared to steel or rubber. It can be okay if hail is not a yearly occurrence where you live, but as soon as you start to deal with hail on a regular basis, you’re better off considering another more hail-resistant roofing material.

How To Choose The Right Roofing Material For Hail

If you’ve dealt with hail before, you know that hail rarely comes alone. Because it’s formed in relatively unique stormy weather conditions, you’ll also be dealing with wind, too. Be sure to confirm with your builder that your shingles or roof are prepared for all the elements.

Speaking specifically about hail, shingles will offer a Class 1 through Class 4 level of resistance. Class 4, the strongest, is meant to be able to withstand 23.71 foot-pounds of force and damage from a 2” steel ball. Now that’s hail proof!

Submitting An Insurance Supplement For A Hail-Damaged Roof

Are you in the process of looking for a new more hail-resistant roof because yours has been recently damaged? US Home Supplements can help you with the insurance supplementing process. 

Through our years of experience, we’ve helped hundreds of roofers and homeowners get paid on thousands of roofing projects. To find out more about how we can help, get in touch with us today.