Hail is the most common reason Central Texas homeowners call us after a storm. When it is time to replace a roof, many of them ask the same question: are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it here? This guide explains what the rating means, what it does not mean, which Owens Corning shingles carry it, and how to decide for your home. You can compare the full product line on the Owens Corning roofing site.
What a Class 4 rating means
Impact ratings for asphalt shingles come from the UL 2218 test. In that test, steel balls are dropped onto a roofing sample from set heights. Class 1 uses the smallest ball and Class 4 uses the largest, a 2-inch steel ball. To earn a rating, the sample cannot crack or split after being struck twice in the same spot. Class 4 is the highest rating in the test. A Class 3 shingle passed the same test with a 1¾-inch ball.
The Owens Corning shingles we install
Skywall Construction installs Owens Corning roofing systems. Here is how their main lines compare on impact resistance:
- TruDefinition Duration is Owens Corning’s standard architectural shingle. It currently lists a UL 2218 Class 3 rating.
- TruDefinition Duration STORM is rated Class 4. A polymer backing layer on the shingle (Owens Corning calls it WeatherGuard technology) helps it resist impact.
- TruDefinition Duration FLEX is also rated Class 4. It uses SBS polymer-modified asphalt, which makes the shingle more flexible.
Both Class 4 lines keep the Duration look and Owens Corning’s SureNail nailing strip. To count as a Class 4 roof system for warranty purposes, Owens Corning requires its matching impact-rated hip and ridge shingles. Our Duration vs. Oakridge comparison covers how the standard lines differ.
What the rating does not promise
A Class 4 rating is a laboratory result. It does not make a roof hail-proof, and Owens Corning says the same about its own products. Large or wind-driven hail can still damage shingles, and it can dent or crack vents, flashing, gutters and skylights no matter which shingle is on the roof. After a major storm, a roof with Class 4 shingles should still be inspected.
Insurance and Class 4 roofs in Texas
Many Texas insurers offer a premium discount for roofs with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, and some policies treat them differently when a claim is filed. Discounts, documentation requirements and coverage terms vary by insurer and policy. Before you choose, ask your insurance agent three questions:
- Do you offer a discount for a Class 4 roof, and how much?
- What documentation do you need, such as the product name and the installer’s certificate?
- Does my policy pay differently for cosmetic hail damage on an impact-resistant roof?
We provide the Owens Corning product details and installation paperwork your insurer asks for. Your insurer decides the discount and coverage. Our guide to roof condition and home insurance in Texas has more background.
When Class 4 impact-resistant shingles make sense
- Your neighborhood has had repeated hail claims, as many Round Rock, Georgetown and Austin streets did after the September 2023 storm.
- Your insurer offers a meaningful discount that offsets part of the higher material cost over the years you plan to stay.
- You plan to keep the home long enough for fewer storm repairs to matter.
Standard Duration can still be the right choice when the budget is tight, you plan to sell soon, or your insurer offers no discount. Metal roofing is another option for homeowners focused on hail, with its own tradeoffs in cost and appearance.
Installation matters as much as the shingle
Impact-resistant shingles perform as tested only when the full roof is installed to Owens Corning’s requirements, including underlayment, starter strips, hip and ridge, nailing and ventilation. Owens Corning’s system warranties also depend on using its components and, for the enhanced warranties, an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Skywall Construction is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Your written estimate should name the exact shingle and every system component.
If you are replacing a roof in a hail-prone part of Central Texas, it is reasonable to price both a standard and an impact-rated option side by side. Seeing the two numbers on the same scope makes the decision about cost, appearance and any insurance credit much clearer.
Frequently asked questions
Are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles hail-proof?
No. A Class 4 rating means the product passed a standard impact test. Large hail, wind-driven debris or an aging roof can still be damaged.
Will Class 4 shingles lower my insurance premium?
Some Texas insurers offer a discount for qualifying impact-rated roofs, but the amount and rules vary. Ask your insurer for its requirements in writing before you choose a product.
Do Class 4 shingles look different?
Many impact-rated architectural shingles look much like standard architectural shingles. Compare color samples in daylight, just as you would for any shingle.
Do Class 4 shingles cost more?
Impact-rated products usually cost more than standard architectural shingles from the same manufacturer. The difference depends on the product and the roof, so ask for both options priced on your home and compare them with any insurance credit your insurer confirms.
How do I know if my current shingles are Class 4?
Check the installation invoice or warranty paperwork for the exact product name, then look up that product’s listing. If there are no records, an inspector may be able to identify the product line, but confirmation can be difficult on an older roof.
Can I add Class 4 shingles during a repair?
Impact ratings apply to the tested product and installation. Mixing products in a small repair does not make the whole roof Class 4, so the rating question usually comes up at replacement time.
Compare both options on your own roof
Skywall Construction can price standard Duration and a Class 4 Duration STORM or FLEX roof on the same written scope, so you can weigh the difference against your insurer’s answer. Call (512) 798-2222, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, schedule a free roof inspection, or get an online estimate.
