Fun with Hail-Resistant Roofing Materials
When a hailstorm makes its way over the Treasure Valley, one can’t help but wonder if your roof is up to it. You may be of a mind to be done with the dents and cracked or absent shingles that seem to come with any sizeable storm. And you would like to put an end to guessing which materials are suited for Idaho weather.
We at Point Roofing have been in the business here in Idaho since 2012; we have some idea of what it takes for a roof to endure the vagaries of our climate. Give us a ring at (208) 795-3041 if you want to put a face to the name and discuss hail protection. In the meantime, let us put forward a few facts on hail-resistant roofing that could be of interest.
Hail Is Not What It Seems
The common perception is of small frozen pellets, yet hail can be much more. A good storm will send raindrops aloft on powerful updrafts into sub-zero air to be encased in ice, layer upon layer, until they come down. The spring and summer storms in this part of Idaho are capable of putting a mark on a roof that has no protection from such things.
Try this: cut a large hailstone and you will find rings within it, not unlike those in a tree. Every ring is a testament to another pass through the cloud before the stone was too heavy to stay in the air.
Class 4: The Gold Standard
There is an impact rating scale by which the hail resistance of roofing is measured, and Class 4 is as good as it gets. A material must be able to withstand a steel ball being dropped on it from a set height without so much as a crack to qualify.
With Class 4 metal panels or shingles you are looking for something that will not shatter, but give and take the abuse. Which is preferable when the heavens are raining ice on your house.
Some of the better options for withstanding hail include:
- Reinforced backing on impact-rated asphalt shingles
- Metal roofing to shed the energy of an impact and resist cracking
- TPO and flat systems for commercial use
- Durable rubberized or synthetic products
- Architectural shingles of a heavier variety
What Metal Roofs Have Going for Them
It is a concern with some that softer metal panels will be dented by hail, and cosmetically they can be. But then again, metal does not break or crack like other things do. It will flex and return to form, and water will not get in after a hard storm.
Metal is also long lasting, in many cases outliving standard shingles by decades. For those in McCall or Sun Valley there is the added benefit of snow shedding more readily in the winter.
More to a Coating Than Meets the Eye
Coatings on certain hail-resistant materials serve a dual purpose. They stand up to impact and at the same time reflect the sun to keep wear and tear to a minimum. In short, they let your roof age a little better.
Take the layered texture on a modern home’s shingles for instance. Beyond the style, the extra thickness and weight means the shingle can absorb a blow rather than split.
Damage That Goes Unnoticed
Homeowners are often taken in by the fact that hail damage is not always in plain view. There may be no hole or missing piece, but the material can be bruised or stripped of its granules, leading to a leak further down the line. It can be months before you are aware of it.
A professional should be called in to make an inspection of any serious storm’s aftermath. We can see the minor issues before they become major repairs.
The Case for Point Roofing
From Boise and Meridian to Twin Falls, Nampa, Caldwell and the rest of Northern and Southwest Idaho, we do residential and commercial work. Be it a new gutter, a repair, or a complete overhaul of your TPO, metal or asphalt shingle roofing, we are on it.
Our 400 plus reviews from homeowners in Idaho and our A+ accreditation with the BBB speak for themselves. Service Finance can provide financing to ease the cost and we do free estimates.
Do not put off dealing with a roof that has been put in question by a hailstorm. Contact us at (208) 795-3041 and we will put together a hail-resistant solution for your home and budget.
