Texas gets a lot of severe weather that can cause considerable damage to all different types of roofs. The hail and windblown debris that frequently comes with these storms can leave you in need of expensive emergency roof repairs.
When looking for the best material for your home, storm damage roof services stress the importance of using impact-resistant roofing to prevent the costly damage that can happen in severe Texas storms!
What Is Impact-Resistant Roofing?
The impact resistance of roofing products is measured and certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which performs impact tests on the many materials used on roofs today. Based on a material’s ability to withstand impact without breaking, cracking, denting, or suffering other types of damage, it is rated into one of four categories from 1 to 4.
Category 4 offers the most protection against impact damage, reducing the chance you will need emergency roof repair to correct hail damage. When selecting the best, most impact-resistant products to protect your home against hail and other impact damage, always look for materials with a UL 2218 rating of Category 4. An added bonus is that most Category 4 materials are also Class A fire rated, which is the highest fire-resistance rating.
Why Is Impact-Resistance Important?
Severe storms can cause extensive damage to your roof. While many materials are durable against smaller-sized hail, hail larger than an inch or two can quickly destroy lesser quality materials with lower impact ratings. Roofs may also suffer impact damage from flying debris like branches and anything else light enough to be blown around when the winds get high.
Some impact damage more obviously indicates the need for storm damage roof services. Other damage such as dents and cracks under the surface that reduce water tightness and the longevity of the installation can be harder to detect until the entire system is in poor condition. The best way to avoid these problems and reduce your need for emergency roof repair is by installing the impact-resistant materials.
Types of Impact-Resistant Roofing Materials
If you live in an area where severe weather with hail and high winds is common, the best thing you can do to protect your home and roof is to invest in Category 4 impact-resistant material. Storm damage roof services recommend avoiding tile, slate, and similar brittle shingle types that are easily smashed and broken by hail. Instead, consider today’s impact-resistant dimensional asphalt shingles, recycled rubber and plastic systems, as well as high-rated impact-resistant synthetic products made to look like slate and other more visually appealing materials.
Metal roofs are also technically impact-resistant and maintain water tightness very easily but with one considerable drawback: metal can be permanently dented from larger hail which affects its appearance.
Although Class 4 impact-resistant roofs may cost a bit more than a roof built with lower-rated materials, the investment is a wise one if you live in an area where severe weather is common. Storm damage roof services to repair hail damage is costly and can quickly negate any savings from choosing lower-priced material.
The best chance you have to avoid an emergency roof repair due to hail and windblown debris in areas prone to such weather is by installing the most impact-resistant roofing possible!