Impact-resistant shingles in Colorado

Impact-resistant shingles are rated by the UL 2218 standard, which tests shingles by dropping steel balls of various sizes from specific heights. Class 4 is the highest rating — the shingle must withstand a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without cracking.

Class 4 shingles are made with a modified SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) rubber compound that makes them more flexible and resistant to impact damage from hail. They look identical to standard architectural asphalt shingles from the ground.

Many Colorado municipalities have adopted building codes requiring Class 4 shingles on all new roofing and on replacements exceeding a certain percentage of the roof surface (typically 50%). Fort Collins, Lakewood, and several other Front Range cities have adopted these requirements.

Check with your local building department or ask your contractor about the requirements in your specific municipality before selecting materials. Installing non-compliant shingles can require removal and reinstallation at your expense.

Class 4 shingles typically add $1.50–$2.00 per square foot over standard architectural asphalt shingles. On a 2,000 square foot roof, that's an additional $3,000–$4,000 at installation.

This premium is often partially or fully offset by insurance premium discounts available to Colorado homeowners who install Class 4 shingles. Most Front Range insurers offer 15–25% discounts on the wind/hail portion of your premium.

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) publishes independent ratings of impact-resistant shingles beyond the basic UL 2218 pass/fail test. Their FORTIFIED program and product ratings provide additional guidance on which Class 4 shingles perform best in real hail conditions. Ask your contractor about IBHS-rated products.