Free tool · UL 2218 classes explained
Impact resistance comparator
Drag the hail size and see what typically happens to each kind of roof covering — plus what the UL 2218 classes actually test, which is less than most people assume.
Common questions
Does Class 4 mean hail-proof?
No. It means a sample survived two impacts of a two-inch steel ball dropped twenty feet in a laboratory without the mat cracking. Real hail is irregular, wind-driven and lands on a roof that has been ageing in the sun for years.
Will a Class 4 roof lower my premium?
Often, in hail states, on the wind and hail portion of the premium. The size varies by carrier and by state, so ask yours for the number in writing before you pay the upgrade.
Is metal better than Class 4 asphalt for hail?
It fails differently rather than less. Metal rarely fails functionally but it dents — and dents are exactly what cosmetic damage exclusions are written to exclude.
Which class do I have?
It is printed on the shingle wrapper and on the manufacturer's product data sheet. If the roof is already on, ask the installer for the invoice or the product name and look it up.
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