--- title: What Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles? description: Do you live in an area with frequent hail storms? If so, you may want to consider Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. But what are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? In this article, you'll learn what Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are, how they qualify for the rating, and if they're worth it. image: https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Featured%20Images%20%2868%29.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles#maincontent) - Follow Us - [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/billraganroofingnashville/) - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bill-ragan-roofing-company) [«  View All Posts](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog) [Roof Damage](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/roof-damage) | [Asphalt Shingle Roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/asphalt-shingle-roof) # What Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles? September 1st, 2023 | 4 min. read - Share This Article - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=What+Are+Class+4+Impact-Resistant+Shingles%3F&url=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles&via=) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles&title=What+Are+Class+4+Impact-Resistant+Shingles%3F&summary=Do+you+live+in+an+area+with+frequent+hail+storms%3F+If+so%2C+you+may+want+to+consider+Class+4+impact-resistant+shingles.+But+what+are+Class+4+impact-resistant+shingles%3F+In+this+article%2C+you%27ll+learn+what+Class+4+impact-resistant+shingles+are%2C+how+they+qualify+for+the+rating%2C+and+if+they%27re+worth+it.) - [**](mailto:?body=https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles) ![What Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles?](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Featured%20Images%20%2868%29.jpg) ![Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Bill%20on%20hiking%20trail.png "Bill Ragan") [Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan) ** Print/Save as PDF Hail storms are becoming more and more frequent across the United States. With this increase in storms comes an increase in hail damage to roofs.  Unfortunately, traditional asphalt shingles can’t handle one huge hail storm or the continuous barrage of hail stones over the years. That’s why manufacturers make Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.  But what are Class 4 impact resistant-shingles? And how did they get this rating? **For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in educating homeowners on the nuances of shingles.** Because of this, I’ll break down what you need to know about Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.  This article answers the following questions: - What are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? - How do shingles qualify for a Class 4 impact rating? - Are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it? - What are the best Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? ## What are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? **Impact-resistant shingles (also called IR) are made to be more resistant to **[**hail damage to your roof**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-does-hail-damage-look-like-roof)**.** While there are 4 total classes, a Class 4 impact rating is the highest a roofing material can achieve.  There are a couple of ways manufacturers make these impact-resistant shingles.  The first way is by adding a polymer-modified mesh to the asphalt shingles. This ensures the shingles hold together instead of splitting when hail or another object hits them. The other way is adding a rubber-type polymer (like styrene-butadiene-styrene aka SBS) to the asphalt shingles. Adding SBS or another rubber-like polymer creates more flexibility, which allows the hail to bounce off the shingles instead of absorbing the impact. **With Class 4 IR shingles, your roof can withstand hail up to 2” in diameter.** But just know that the shingles become less resistant as they age, even with the above modifications.  ## How do shingles qualify for a Class 4 impact rating? As I said, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are able to withstand roof damage from hail up to 2” in diameter. But how do shingle manufacturers test and qualify for a Class 4 rating? There are two organizations that test shingles for impact resistance: Factory Mutual (FM) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). They both test the same thing, but UL uses steel to replicate the force of hail while FM uses ice balls that are denser and harder than most hailstones.  **The test has four ratings that classify a shingle's ability to withstand the steel or ice ball’s impact when dropped from 20 feet.** Just know the FM test uses the same size ice balls as the steel balls in the UL test, so the classifications are also the same. Below are the Classifications for both UL and FM impact ratings  - Class 1 shingles can withstand steel/ice balls that are 1.25” in diameter. - Class 2 shingles can withstand steel/ice balls that are 1.5” in diameter. - Class 3 shingles can withstand steel/ice balls that are 1.75” in diameter. - Class 4 shingles can withstand steel/ice balls that are 2” in diameter. **Based on the info above, a shingle must be able to handle the impact of a 2” steel or ice ball dropped from 20 feet to get a Class 4 impact rating. **Unfortunately, the tests can’t 100% replicate shingle performance due to factors like temperature, shingle age, the angle, and more when the hailstorm hits your roof.  ## Are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it? Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are considered performance shingles, and some even only come in [designer or luxury lines](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-designer-shingles). Because of this, they are more expensive than [traditional asphalt shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-are-architectural-shingles). So, you need to seriously consider if they’re worth it. **In my opinion, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are 100% worth the initial high investment.**  You may be thinking, “You’re a roofer, so of course, you’ll say a more expensive product is worth it.” Look, I fully understand the logic.  ![hail damage to architectural asphalt shingle](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HailDamageDoubleExample.jpg?width=500&height=300&name=HailDamageDoubleExample.jpg)(Hail damage to architectural asphalt shingles) But as I said, hail storms or thunderstorms with hail are becoming more and more frequent in the United States. The roofing industry is actually replacing roofs at a record pace right now due to hail damage.  So, technically, not getting Class 4 impact-resistant shingles is actually good for roofing companies with the increase in hail-damaged roofs. However, they also offer other benefits that make them worth the investment.  If they have a Class 4 rating, they also meet other high-quality standards that generally make them more durable and help them last longer. Some insurance companies even offer discounts on roofs with a Class 4 impact resistance rating. Just know that some areas require Class 4 impact-resistant shingles on new roofs per local building codes. So, you may not have a choice if you live in an area where hail is common or frequent. ## What are the best Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? Now you know what Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are, how they qualify for the rating, and my opinion on whether they're worth it. Under normal circumstances, you probably don’t need them.  However, I highly recommend them for areas with frequent hail storms. But remember, your area might require them per building codes whether you want them or not. Whatever the reason for getting Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, it’s up to you to choose the right one. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many options compared to other traditional shingles.  That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the best class 4 impact-resistant shingles on the market, plus their warranties and other performance perks. Check out [The 5 Best Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/best-impact-resistant-shingles) to learn the top shingles with a Class 4 impact rating. [![storm damage checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3406853/ce142456-0d44-4525-b39d-c59729fa7773.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3406853/ce142456-0d44-4525-b39d-c59729fa7773) #### Table Of Contents ## Related Articles [### 5 Best Roof Repair Companies in Nashville, TN (2026 Update) February 11th, 2026|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/best-roof-repair-companies-nashville-tennessee) [### The 7 Most Common Roofing Problems in Nashville, TN November 26th, 2025|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/most-common-roofing-problems-nashville-tn) [### Why is State Farm Refusing to Pay for a Roof Replacement? August 29th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/why-state-farm-refusing-pay-roof-replacement) [### What’s the Insurance Process to Replace a Storm-Damaged Roof? August 6th, 2025|10 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/homeowners-insurance-the-process-to-replace-storm-damaged-roof) [### Are GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles Class 3 or Class 4? June 30th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/are-gaf-timberline-hdz-shingles-class-3-class-4) [### Are Architectural Shingles Impact Resistant? June 13th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/are-architectural-shingles-impact-resistant) [### Class 3 Shingles vs. Class 4 Shingles: What’s the Difference? June 9th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/class-3-shingles-vs-class-4-shingles) [### 7 Things to Know Before Filing a Roof Damage Claim in Brentwood, TN June 4th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-know-before-filing-roof-damage-claim-brentwood-tn) [### What Size Hail Will Damage a Roof? May 28th, 2025|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-size-hail-damage-roof) [### 6 Things to Expect When Filing an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage April 21st, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-expect-when-filing-insurance-claim-roof-damage) [### Can an Insurance Company Force You to Replace Your Roof? April 4th, 2025|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/can-insurance-company-force-replace-roof) [### What Can You Do If Insurance Denies Your Roof Damage Claim? April 2nd, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-do-if-insurance-denied-roof-claim) [### What Kind of Roof Damage is Covered by Home Insurance? March 17th, 2025|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-kind-roof-damage-covered-insurance) [### 6 Ways Roofing Contractors Help With Roof Damage Insurance Claims November 22nd, 2024|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/ways-roofing-contractors-help-with-roof-damage-insurance-claims) [### What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Roof? August 26th, 2024|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-does-hail-damage-look-like-roof) [### The 7 Most Common Roof Leaks (How to Fix a Leaking Roof) June 14th, 2024|10 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/most-common-roof-leaks) [### Should I Call a Roofer or My Insurance Company First for Roof Damage? May 31st, 2024|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/should-call-insurance-company-or-roofing-contractor-first) [### 7 Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed by a Storm Chasing Roofing Company May 15th, 2024|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/tips-avoid-scammed-storm-chasing-roofing-company) [### Should You Show a Roofing Contractor Your Insurance Estimate? May 10th, 2024|5 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/show-roofing-contractor-insurance-estimate) [### 7 Things You Need to Know About the Insurance Process for Roof Damage April 29th, 2024|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-need-know-about-insurance-process-roof-damage) [### What Kind of Roof Damage Can Birds, Animals, and Trees Cause? February 28th, 2024|8 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/roof-damage-birds-animals-trees-cause) [### Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage to Your Roof? February 14th, 2024|6 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/insurance-cover-hail-damage-roof) [### What Should I Do When a Storm Damages My Roof in Nashville, TN? February 9th, 2024|8 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-should-do-when-storm-damages-roof-nashville-tn) [### 5 Signs of Storm Damage to Your Roof September 20th, 2023|7 min read ](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/signs-storm-damage-roof) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor", "@type" : "RoofingContractor", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Nashville", "addressRegion" : "TN", "postalCode" : "37204", "streetAddress" : "2969 Armory Dr., Suite 300" }, "description" : "Award-winning Nashville roofing company specializing in residential roofing services, including roof replacements, roof damage claims, gutters, and more backed by a lifetime warranty.", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bill Ragan" }, "foundingDate" : "1990", "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : 36.1038435, "longitude" : -86.7535011 }, "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/logo/bill-ragan-roofing-company--logo.jpg?width=200&height=83&name=bill-ragan-roofing-company--logo.jpg" }, "name" : "Bill Ragan Roofing Company", "priceRange" : "$, $$, $$$", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/billraganroofingnashville/", "https://www.instagram.com/billraganroofing/", "https://www.youtube.com/@theroofingchannel", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/bill-ragan-roofing-company", "https://www.yelp.com/biz/bill-ragan-roofing-nashville-2" ], "telephone" : "+1-615-242-0333", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : "en", "name" : "Bill Ragan Roofing Company", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor" }, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "articleSection" : "Roof Damage", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bill Ragan", "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-22T13:25:59+00:00", "datePublished" : "2023-09-01T12:30:00+00:00", "description" : "Do you live in an area with frequent hail storms? If so, you may want to consider Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. But what are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles? In this article, you'll learn what Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are, how they qualify for the rating, and if they're worth it.", "headline" : "What Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 303, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Featured%20Images%20%2868%29.jpg", "width" : 908 }, "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : "Roof Damage, Asphalt Shingle Roof", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "What Are Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles?", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/#roofing-contractor" }, "url" : "https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-impact-resistant-shingles" } ```