Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

If you've discovered your asphalt shingle roof has hail damage and has to be replaced, you may want to choose a type of roofing material that stands up to hail damage. Different roofing materials respond differently to hail, but one thing that's important is the size of the hailstones. All roofs can be damaged by large hail while some can withstand the impacts from small hail. Here's a look at how common residential roofing materials tolerate hail. 

Asphalt Shingles

A hailstorm can destroy an asphalt shingle roof. The impacts knock off granules and crack shingles. If you submit a claim to your insurance company, they may recommend replacing an asphalt shingle roof with hail damage rather than trying to repair it. However, different grades of shingles have different tolerances for hail.

The highest grade of shingles is thicker and rated to withstand impacts. High-quality asphalt shingles might survive small hail strikes, but even the highest-quality roofing may be damaged by large stones. If you want to keep asphalt shingles but want the best protection against hail and storm damage, look into impact ratings for the shingles you plan to buy.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing doesn't damage as easily as asphalt shingles, but hail can leave dents in the roof. This is especially true of aluminum, which is a softer metal than steel. A metal roof covered with dents might appear ugly and the dents might crack the coating and lead to rust and other problems later on.

Metal roofing has many advantages, including being an attractive roofing material, so if you're thinking of switching, talk to your insurance agent about the coverage you have for your roof. Your insurance company may or may not pay to replace a metal roof with hail damage if they deem the damage to be cosmetic only.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles make a beautiful roof, and they could give your home a fresh new appearance. Clay tiles are durable, but they can crack when hit by large hail. Clay tiles can often withstand impacts from smaller hailstones, so it could be a good choice when you want protection from storms. Plus, since the tiles are heavy, they are harder for the wind to lift, so you also have more protection from wind and rain during a storm.

If you choose quality roofing whether you opt for asphalt shingles, metal, or clay tiles, your home will have the best protection from storms. However, high-quality roofing also costs more, so you may need to discuss all your options with a roofer and get advice on the best type of residential roofing if you want the best chance of your roof surviving future storms.