Are your shingles built for today’s weather?

By Jenny Yu.  

Storms are getting stronger — your roof should be, too. Learn how FORTIFIED and Class 3 impact-rated shingles help protect your home against hail, wind and unpredictable weather. 

As climate patterns shift and severe weather becomes more frequent, the materials protecting your home — especially your roof — are under greater pressure than ever. Homeowners should evaluate whether their roofs are built to endure the weather we’re seeing today, not just the storms of the past.  

In an AskARoofer podcast episode, Travis Jones of Smart Roof & Home Performance emphasized the importance of thinking of the roof in larger terms. “A roof is a complete system,” he said, noting that shingles, flashing, underlayment and ventilation all work together to keep water out and maintain structural integrity. If even one part fails, such as improperly installed ridge caps, it can leave the entire roof vulnerable. 

Travis also spoke about different roofing credentials and certifications and what homeowners should consider prior to selecting a roofing contractor. For example, FORTIFIED roofing standards, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), was created to ensure more resilient roofs.  

“It's an insurance industry-funded research arm to come up with more resilient roofs to lower what they're having to pay out. That serves them, but the good news is, that also serves the homeowners,” Travis explained. “Who wants to have to replace their roof more often or have water damage in the house? So that's what a FORTIFIED roof is.” 

Another important credential Travis made a point to look out for is the impact rating of roofing materials. Shingles are classified based on their resistance to hail and other impacts, using a standard developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL 2218). There are four classes: 

• Class 1: Lowest impact resistance 
• Class 2: Moderate resistance 
• Class 3: High resistance (can withstand a 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from 17 feet) 
• Class 4: Highest impact resistance (withstands a 2-inch steel ball from the same height) 

In his business, Travis partners with companies like IKO to ensure he has roofing materials that meet FORTIFIED standards and Class 3 and 4 impact ratings. Travis suggests homeowners communicate with their contractors to make sure they are choosing the right materials for their roofs, as well as doing their own research.  

"There's enough information out there that the homeowner can go and look up whatever shingle that you're getting,” he stated. “Go to their website, and they’ll have simple drawings and videos that you can look up. It starts with doing your research about what the system is.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how you can make an informed decision when choosing the best roof materials to withstand even the harshest weather conditions.