Your roof is invaluable. It protects your home and your family from hail, wind, severe temperatures, and other severe conditions. Depending on the climate, the type of house you have, and your budget, there are several options when it comes to what type of roof is the best fit for your home. For some, impact-resistant shingles are the answer.

For Texans, one of the most common causes of roof damage is hail. And although we love when the weather starts to warm up in the spring, the mix of warm and cool air often brings some severe storm systems and a steady season of hail storms. 

Your roof might be able to take a lot of damage, especially when you choose your roofing service provider wisely, but there are many ways to mitigate severe damage caused by the many threats facing it.

One of the most effective ways to ensure that your roof sustains the least damage possible and lasts much longer, is by installing impact-resistant shingles. These shingles were designed to offer excellent protection and can save you money on a replacement, maintenance, and in some cases, insurance costs.

What Exactly Are Impact-Resistant Shingles? 

Standard roofing shingles are made of a thin layer of asphalt, wood, metal, fiberglass, or other hardy materials. They do their job under normal conditions, but unexpected storms, wind, or hail can have an effect on the lifespan of regular shingles. Impact-resistant shingles were created to do just that: resist impact.

Impact-resistant shingles were designed to withstand whatever the weather brings with a longer lifespan than regular shingles. They are made of much stronger and more durable materials such as asphalt, cement, metals, and specifically-designed polymers that offer maximum protection.

Although regular shingles do protect your roof from the elements to some extent, high-impact shingles can last longer, stay durable through more severe conditions, and depending on your insurance, you may be able to receive discounts by installing impact-resistant shingles on your home.

The Pros & Cons

Thinking impact-resistant shingles may be a good fit for your roof? We’ve gathered some pros and cons to help you make the best decision for you.

Pro #1 – Your roof lasts longer

If you install impact-resistant shingles, you can add 10-25 years to your roof’s lifespan.  Especially for homeowners in Texas who receive hail storms at least a few times a year, in the long run, it may be more beneficial to pay a bit more upfront for impact-resistant shingles.

Pro #2 – Less Maintenance Required

Maintaining your roof and getting it regularly inspected and repaired as needed is essential to avoiding major problems. With impact-resistant shingles, your roof can withstand more severe weather, hail, winds, and other elements, decreasing the amount of repairs needed in the long run.

Pro #3 – Insurance discounts

Roofing insurance falls under home insurance, and premiums are often calculated based on the risk of severe and devastating hail damage. Installing high-impact roofing materials such as impact-resistant shingles can save you money on your insurance costs, depending on your insurance company and individual policies.

The insurance discount you receive is primarily based on your insurer, and what class your shingles fall under. Shingles are classified based on their quality. For example, impact-resistant shingles are almost always class-4, the highest rating. Therefore, insurance companies that offer discounts will usually only do so for class-4 shingles. 

Con

As with most things in life, better quality often costs a bit more initially. Due to the materials that make up impact-resistant shingles, they typically cost more than regular shingles. However, when you consider the maintenance and lifespan of regular shingles, it may actually end up costing less to install impact-resistant shingles. 

In closing, impact-resistant shingles are an excellent investment and will save you lots of time, stress, effort, and money in the long run. However, the outcome always depends on the supplier and installer standards and work ethic. 
Contact UPI Roofing in Plano today to learn more about our high-quality roofing products and installations.