We recently completed reroofing this multi-family complex in Berthoud, Colorado. It consists of 35 buildings totaling about 2300 squares of Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm Class-4 shingles. The old roofs were lesser shingles and were hail damaged. Because of the insurance savings, the owner of the complex decided a shingle upgrade was warranted.
Duration Storm shingles are architectural asphalt roofing shingles. They are one of the best on the market today and should last 25-35 years if regularly inspected and maintained. Of course, another key factor to a long-lasting roof is a professional installation.
These new shingles going on this multi-family complex in Berthoud, CO, are Class-4 impact resistant. That means they’ll withstand hail better than the previous, lesser shingles. Class-4 is the highest impact rating for a roof covering. To achieve this rating, these shingles have a polymeric backing material which makes them stronger and more durable than lesser shingles.
They also feature OC’s SureNail technology. This is the nailing line on each shingle. It’s a fabric strip with an adhesive that secures one shingle to another, ensuring superior gripping power other shingle manufacturers don’t have.
These TruDefinition Duration Storm shingles also offer 130mph wind resistance. This, too, is one of the highest wind resistant asphalt shingles available today. Strong winds in Colorado can tear shingles off, leading to roof leaks and other interior damage. Thanks to their new Duration Storm shingles, the owner of these multi-family units have less to worry about.
Why Bob Behrends Roofing in Berthoud, Colorado
If you need a reroof for a multi-family complex in Berthoud, Colorado, contact us for a free inspection and estimate. A long-lasting roof starts with a professional installation, which is what we offer. Our new roofs in Berthoud also come with a 5-year workmanship guarantee. Should anything go wrong with this new roof in Berthoud, CO, as a result of our workmanship, the owners know we have their back and will take care of them.
We also offer competitive pricing. Because we’re a large roofing company servicing Berthoud, Colorado, we’re able to buy materials in bulk. This means we get flexible pricing from our vendors other roofing companies can’t match. We pass this savings onto you.
Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor
Do you know we’re a qualified and preferred roofing contractor? In fact, we’re a Preferred Contractor of Owens Corning and CertainTeed, and a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor. What’s this mean? It means roofing material manufacturers trust us to install their products. You can trust us, too. Need more reasons to choose Bob Behrends Roofing for your next reroofing project?
We recently completed reroofs on these three homes in Berthoud, Colorado. The previous shingles were heavily damaged by hail. The new roofing shingles are Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Flex in Driftwood color.
Owens Corning is a household name when it comes to asphalt shingles. While some other shingle manufacturers have recently had problems with consistant quality, Owens Corning has not. If you’re looking for a quality asphalt shingle you can count on, you can count on Owens Corning.
OC’s TruDefinition Duration Flex is an SBS modified asphalt shingle. This gives the shingles more flexibility than non-SBS shingles. Hail has a tendency to bounce off and cause less damage to these shingles. OC’s Flex shingles are Class-4 impact rated. This is an important rating when you’re looking for a roof covering in Berthoud, CO, as Berthoud is known to get serious hail storms. Class-3 impact rated shingles won’t fare as well.
These shingles are also 130MPH wind rated. If you live in Colorado, you know we can get strong winds. Therefore, it’s also important to get a shingle that stays down in a high wind storm. OC’s Flex shingle line also comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. These shingles do cost more initially, but since they last longer than lesser shingles, it’s often worth it. You can expect 20+ years out of your new Duration Flex shingles, if professionally installed.
Need a reroof in Berthoud, CO? Contact us for a free inspection and estimate.
If you’re shopping for a new hail resistant roof in Berthoud, in addition to Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Flex and Storm shingle lines, we also highly recommend Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex shingles. Like OC’s Flex, Tamko’s Flex shingles are also SBS-modified. These shingles are Class-3 and Class-4 impact rated and offer an unheardof 160MPH wind warranty.
If you want the best hail-resistant roof in Berthoud, ask us about stone-coated steel shingles or standing seam metal roofing panels. These last 3x as long as traditional asphalt shingles. What’s more, metal roofing panels also help to cool your home in the hot summer months. These roofing products are also recyclable, unlike asphalt shingles.
Trust Bob Behrends Roofing To Install Your New Roof in Berthoud, CO
You can trust Owens Corning, Tamko to make a quality asphalt shingle, and you can trust Bob Behrends Roofing to install them. We’ve installed countless roofs all along the Colorado Front Range. We offer a 5-year workmanship guarantee on all reroofs in Berthoud, Colorado. We are a Preferred Contractor of Owens Corning and CertainTeed, and a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor and we ask for no money upfront. Only when you’re completely satisfied do we ask for a payment. Berthoud roof inspections and estimates are free, so contact us when you’re ready.
Spotting roof hail damage can be tricky. It depends upon the roof material, the size and velocity of the hail stones, among other factors. Sometimes the damage is obvious. However, sometimes it’s not. What’s more, sometimes the damage is urgent and needs attention right away. Other minor damage can wait. Below are a few tips on how you can spot roof hail damage. If you notice any of the following, you should address it as soon as possible.
If you did have a hail storm come through your neighborhood and would like a professional roofer to inspect your roof for free to determine if you have hail damage, contact us. We will let you know if there is any damage or if your roof is ok. If there is damage, we can also give you a free estimate.
if your asphalt shingle roof has lots of these black spots on it, you probably have hail damage
Cosmetic vs Functional Roof Hail Damage
Cosmetic roof hail damage is damage that only affects the appearance of your roof, it poses no real functional harm. An example of cosmetic roof hail damage is a dented metal roof. A dent only affects the appearance of the roof, it doesn’t affect the performance of it. Functional hail damage, on the other hand, affects the function or performance of your roof. An example of functional roof hail damage is a cracked roof, such as cracked roofing tiles. If your clay, concrete, or wood shake roof is cracked, water can seep into the crack and onto your roof deck. This can lead to a roof leak.
You can spot roof hail damage by looking for the following:
Black Spots on Asphalt Shingles
Loose Fasteners
Loose Roofing Material, Such as Shingles or Metal
Dents or Cracks in Metal Roofing
Dents or Cracks in Flashing or Vent Boots
Black Spots
One easy way to spot roof hail damage is to look for black spots. When a large enough hail stone strikes asphalt shingles or stone-coated steel shingles, the shock dislodges the granules leaving the black asphalt beneath exposed. These looks like black spots about the size of a coin. If you notice these exposed black spots on your asphalt shingle or stone-coated steel shingle roof, you should have your roof inspected right away. The primary purposes of these granules is to protect your roof from UV radiation. Without them, the asphalt beneath them will prematurely dry out and crack, and result in a roof leak.
asphalt shingle roof with hail damage
Loose Fasteners
Fasteners are the screws or nails that secure your roof material down to the roof deck. Asphalt shingles and tiles use nails, while metal roofs use screws. In a hail storm, hail stones can loosen fasteners. Loose fasteners can lead to a roof leak. If you notice loose screws or nails on your roof, you should drive them back down and cover them with construction sealant once your roof is dry and before the next rain or hail storm.
Loose Roofing Material
Hail storms can also cause roof material, such as asphalt shingles, to become loose. During a hail storm, all those hail stones striking your roof cause lots of small vibrations. Those can cause roofing material to become loose. Loose roofing material can be torn-off in the next high wind storm which lead to missing roof material. If you notice loose asphalt shingles or any other roofing material, you should secure it back down by the appropriate method. Most loose shingles require a little construction sealant underneath them. If you are unsure how to reseal your particular roofing material, contact us for a free roof inspection and estimate.
Dents or Cracks in Metal Roofing
If you have a metal roof and a hail storm has come through your neighborhood, you might notice dents in your roof, if the hail stones were large enough. Dents in a metal roof are only cosmetic and pose no functional harm. However, large enough hail stones can not only dent a metal roof, but also crack it. Hail stones can also crack old metal roofs. If you have a standing seam metal roof, we do not recommend you step foot on it, for your own safety, as metal roofs are slick. Instead, contact us for a free metal roof inspection. We will let you know if your roof is damaged or if it’s good to go.
Dents or Cracks in Flashing or Vent Boots
Flashing and vent boots can also get dents or cracks. While you’re inspecting your roof, don’t forget to inspect the flashing and vent boots for damage. Flashing is often found between your roof covering and chimney. Vent boots are a cone-shape shield around the base of pipes. Large hail stones can also damage these. If you notice damaged flashing or vent boots, you should probably contact a roofing professional to have them repaired or replaced. Cracked or unsealed flashing and vent boots are a sure sign of a leaking roof.
If a hail storm has recently come through your neighborhood, it’s always best to contact us for a free roof inspection. We have a dedicated roof inspector that knows how to spot roof hail damage. He’s more than happy to come to you and let you know if your roof has any damage or if it’s ok. If he notices any damage, if you like, we can put together a free roof repair or replacement estimate.
Quick Answer: The best asphalt shingle roof for Northern Colorado is the one that’s Class-4 impact rated and 130mph or more wind resistant. That’s Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm, Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex, or GAF’s Timberline AS II, or better yet, stone-coated metal shingles.
Repeated hail storms and high winds have not been kind to your roof. You’ve got exposed asphalt from multiple hail storms and you’re missing some shingles thanks to strong winds. You’re shopping around for new asphalt roofing shingles in Colorado and wondering which ones offer the best resistance to hail and high winds.
In Northern Colorado, we get most of our hail storms in the Spring. It’s not uncommon to get hail storms from April through July. Although, May through June is most common. These storms can produce large hail stones. In fact, in 2019, one hail stone measured 4.83 inches and weighed almost half a pound. However, the average hail stone size is 1 inch. Still, hail this size can cause roof damage. Sometimes hail damage is extensive enough to warrant an entire roof replacement.
We also get winds strong enough to tear roofing material right off and relocate patio furniture. High winds are most common in Spring and Fall. In 2016, a station in Monarch Pass recorded a wind gust of 148mph. Rocky Flats recorded a 90mph wind gust last month. These sudden gusts of wind are unpredictable and can hit at any time.
So, what are the best asphalt roofing shingles for Colorado that withstand both hail and high-winds?
Class-4 impact rated shingles with a wind warranty of 130mph or more are the best asphalt roofing shingles for Colorado. A Class 4 impact rating is the highest impact rating available. That said, some Class 4 impact rated roofing materials are stronger than others. For example, steel is obviously stronger than fiberglass, yet they both have the same Class 4 rating.
So, which asphalt shingle manufacturers make shingles that are both Class 4 impact rated and 130mph or more wind warrantied?
Owens Corning
Owens Corning offers two Class-4 impact rated, 130mph wind warrantied asphalt shingles. These shingles offer great protection against hail storms and high winds. They are their TruDefinition® Duration Storm® and their TruDefinition® Duration Flex® shingles. Their Duration Flex shingles are SBS-modified.
Tamko
Tamko’s Stormfighter IR shingles are not only Class-4 impact rated and high-wind warrantied, they’re warrantied up to 160mph. Tamko is the only traditional asphalt shingle manufacturer to offer such a high wind warranty.
GAF
GAF also offers only one asphalt roofing shingle thats both Class-4 impact resistant and high-wind rated, and that’s their Timberline AS II.
CertainTeed
CertainTeed offers three Class-4 impact rated shingles with optional 130mph wind warranty upgrade. Those are their Northgate Climateflex, their Landmark Climateflex, and their Belmont IR shingles. Northgate is SBS-modified.
You can’t go wrong with any of the above mentioned impact rated, high-wind warrantied asphalt shingles. Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Tamko, GAF, and Malarkey all make excellent asphalt shingles and any of the above mentioned products should serve you well if correctly installed. Keep in mind, most asphalt shingles last between 25-30 years.
Traditional Asphalt Shingles vs Stone-Coated Metal Shingles
What’s the different between traditional asphalt shingles and stone-coated metal shingles? Aren’t stone-coated metal shingles considered asphalt shingles since they, too, have asphalt in them? When most folks talk about ‘asphalt roofing shingles’, they’re referring to traditional fiberglass asphalt roofing shingles, not metal shingles. That said, stone-coated metal shingles do use asphalt to adhere granules to their metal foundation. That’s why we’re going to include them here.
new stone-coated metal shingles
Stone-Coated Metal/Steel Shingles
Westlake Royal Roofing makes excellent stone-coated metal shingles and tiles. Because of their metal foundation, they are, of course, Class-4 impact resistant. What’s more, they are also hurricane wind performance rated. Need another reason to love metal shingles? They offer a transferable 50-year limited warranty. But wait! There’s more. Metal shingles are also more fire-resistant than traditional asphalt shingles, thanks to their metal foundation, and they’re recyclable in Northern Colorado. Metal shingles are, however, more expensive initially than traditional asphalt shingles. However, since they last so much longer than traditional shingles, they often end-up costing less. You can expect metal shingles to last 70 years or more. Traditional asphalt shingles, on the other hand, often only last between 25 and 30 years. With all this, stone-coated metal shingles might be the best ‘asphalt shingle’ for Colorado.
Cool Shingles
Cool shingles are shingles with solar-reflecting granules that help reflect heat away from your home, thus helping to lower your Summer utility bill. But, which asphalt shingle manufacturers make Class-4 impact resistant shingles that are also high-wind resistant, and cool, and available to us in Colorado? Sadly, none. Owens Corning and CertainTeed both make a shingle that’s cool and high-wind rated, but neither are impact rated. If you want an asphalt shingle that’s Class-4 impact resistant, high-wind resistant, and cool in Colorado, you want Westlake Royal Roofing’s Barrel Vault Tile in Dover (white) This is not a shingle but actually a tile. If you truly want a cool roof, check out 100% metal roofing.
SBS-Modified
SBS-modified asphalt shingles are shingles whose asphalt has been modified with rubber-like polymers, such as SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene). The result is a more flexible shingle that recovers quicker from impacts, such as from hail, than traditional asphalt shingles. Are SBS-modified shingles more impact resistant than regular impact resistant shingles? In theory, yes.
Designer Shingles
Designer shingles aren’t necessarily the best for Colorado, and that’s because some aren’t Class-4 impact resistant. Some are, though. For example, Owens Corning’s Berkshire and Woodmoor line of shingles could be considered ‘designer’. However, they are not Class-4 impact resistant. In fact, they lack many features other shingles of theirs have, such as their WeatherGuard and SureNail technologies. Owens Corning is not alone. GAF’s Grand Canyon is, by their definition, a ‘designer shingle’, yet it, too, is not Class-4 impact resistant. Their Grand Sequoia designer shingles, are, however. If you like the look of a designer shingle, make sure it’s also Class-4 impact resistant, and has a high-wind warranty of at least 130mph.
The Bottom Line
Price isn’t everything. It’s good to keep in mind the most expensive shingle isn’t necessarily the best. Owens Corning’s Berkshire and Woodmoor lines are their most expensive shingles. However, they are not Class-4 impact rated. GAF’s Grand Sequoia looks great. However, they too, aren’t impact rated. With traditional asphalt shingles, sometimes durability is sacrificed for appearance or style. If durability, and resistance to hail and high-winds is your goal, stick to the shingles mentioned above. If you’re interested in the longest-last shingle that’s also hail and high-wind resistant, consider metal shingles or tiles. Stone-coated metal shingles are the best roof for Colorado. Class-4 impact rated shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Duration Storm and Tamko’s Stormfighter Flex are often considered the best roofing shingles for Colorado. If you’re concerned about the higher cost of metal shingles, don’t be. They’re often less expensive over their lifetime. Roof financing is available for those interested.
There are several signs it’s time for a roof replacement in Fort Collins, CO. Some are obvious, such as missing shingles. Some are not, however. The below are signs to look for to determine if it might be time for a new roof.
If you replace your old or damaged roof before rain, snow, ice, etc. do more damage, you’ll be better off. And, with our roof financing, and free roof inspections and estimates, a new roof in Fort Collins is easier than you think.
An Overlooked Roof Replacement Sign
One sure but often overlooked sign it’s time for a roof replacement in Fort Collins is if your neighbors are replacing their roof. Most homes in a neighborhood are built around the same time. Therefore, most roofs were also installed at about the same time. Which means they’re all about the same age and material. So, if your neighbors are replacing their roof, it might be time to replace yours.
Contact us for a free roof replacement estimate in Fort Collins, Colorado
It’s About Time
Another sign it might be time for a roof replacement in Fort Collins is if it’s been more than 15 years since your last roof was installed. Most roofs in Fort Collins are impact resistant asphalt shingles. These shingles often last about 25 years. Therefore, if you suspect it’s been at least 15 years since you had your roof installed, it might be time for a new one.
curled asphalt shingles
Cracked or Curled Shingles are an Obvious Sign You Need a Roof Replacement in Fort Collins, CO
If you have one cracked or curled asphalt shingle, you probably have several. Cracked shingles are caused when the asphalt in the shingles shrinks but the above and below layers are fixed. When the asphalt shrinks, but the fiberglass foundation or the granule toplayer cannot, something has to give, and cracks form. Today’s asphalt and sealants are more flexible and remain adhered to the various layers, but they still can crack.
Curled shingles happen for a number of reasons, and they are all common, unfortunately. Most common, however, is improper installation. Too many roofing companies in Fort Collins go too fast when installing asphalt shingle roofs. As a result, they either don’t use as many nails as they should, or they don’t install the nails in the right place, or they don’t line-up one shingle to the next correctly. On most asphalt shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Duration line, there’s a nail line. Note that this nail line is not the same as the tar line or strip. Nails should not be installed in the tar line. This nail line is where, you guessed it, the nails go. If the nails aren’t installed on this line, the shingle is susceptible to a variety of problems, such as curling. The same goes for if not enough nails were used.
Poor attic ventilation, old age, and having multiple layers of roofing materials on the same roof.
If you have cracked or curled asphalt shingles on your Fort Collins roof, it’s definately time for a roof replacement.
asphalt shingle roof with wind damage, missing shingles
Contact us for a free roof replacement estimate in Fort Collins, Colorado
Missing Material
Improper roof installation and strong winds are the most common culprits to missing roof material. High winds are inevitable in Fort Collins. But there’s no excuse for an improper roof installation. Most asphalt shingle manufacturers install a clear nail line on each shingle. And, yet, when we are called to inspect a roof with missing shingles, we often discover the previous roof installer didn’t install them correctly.
Old shingles, even high quality ones, don’t last forever. The tar line that holds one shingle to another dries-up. After numerous wind and hail storms, fluctuating temperatures, snow, ice, etc., it’s inevitable any roofing material degrades and falls apart. Given enough time, old shingles will eventually become loose, even if properly installed, and be torn off in the wind.
Wind damage is when any roofing material either becomes loose it’s torn off. This can happen to non-high-wind resistant roofing, such as 60mph rated shingles in a 130mph wind storm. Wind damage can also happen to old high-quality shingles, or any quality of roofing shingles improperly installed. Any roofing product can be torn off in the wind if the wind is strong enough.
Not all roofing materials are the same. Some withstand wind better than others. Some are more susceptible than others to wind damage and becoming loose or torn off. If you have few missing shingles, you might not need an entire roof replacement. Those missing shingles could be replaced. Loose shingles could be secured, again. However, if enough shingles are missing on your Fort Collins home, it’s probably time for a roof replacement.
asphalt shingle roof with hail damage
Extensive Hail Damage
Wood shake and traditional asphalt shingles are the least resistant to hail. Most wood shake is not Class 4 impact rated. Those that are, aren’t nearly as hail resistant as other roofing products, such as SBS modified asphalt shingles or tile or metal.
Asphalt shingles aren’t the only roofing product that get damaged by hail. Hail can dent standing seam metal roofing. Pelted repeatedly, or with enough force, metal can crack. Hail can also damage concrete and clay tile roofs. With enough force, hail can spilt or shatter concrete or clay tiles, or wood shake.
If a hail storm has recently ripped through your Fort Collins neighborhood, it might be time for a roof replacement.
Missing Granules are a Clear Sign You Need a Roof Replaced
Asphalt shingles aren’t the only roofing product with granules. Stone-coated metal shingles also have granules. The granules are there as the first line of defense for shingles. They protect your shingles, be it asphalt or steel, from rain, hail, snow, UV, etc. If you’re shingles are missing these granules, your shingles are now vulnerable to these elements.
So, if your asphalt or metal shingles are missing granules, it’s time for a roof replacement.
The Bottom Line
Neighbors replacing their roof, a roof coming of age, cracked or curled asphalt shingles, any missing roofing material, extensive hail damage, missing granules – these are signs it’s time for a roof replacement in Fort Collins. If you see any of this, contact us for a free inspection and estimate. If your roof is damaged, even only slightly, if ignored, it will get worse, and more costly. The sooner you catch it and get it fixed, the less it will cost, and the sooner you can rest easy.
Roof hail damage can be costly and extensive. Here in Colorado, we often don’t know how large hailstones will be and get little notice of a storm. Below, you’ll see when we get most of our hail storms, what hail damage on a roof looks like, and what your hail resistant roofing options are, for both commercial and residential buildings.
Quick Answer: What does roof hail damage in Colorado look like? On asphalt shingles, black dots. On standing seam, cracks or dents. On clay tiles, cracks or shattered tiles. On wood shake, split or shattered wood.
When Does Colorado Get Hail Storms
Coloradoans can expect hail between April and July. However, Colorado’s hail storms typically peak in May and June. According to NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming usually get the most hailstorms in the U.S. This area, commonly called ‘Hail Alley’, get between 7 to 9 hail days per year. According to The Denver Post, Colorado is ranked second among all states in the number of hail damage claims filed during 2018 and 2020.
Hail storms are serious and can cause a lot of damage, and injury. In Colorado, hailstones vary from pea size to softball size. In July of 2022, 2.5″ size hail was reported in Fort Collins. Hailstones of this size can seriously hurt someone and cause major damage to roofs and other property.
What Roof Hail Damage Looks Like
Asphalt Shingles
Hail damage to asphalt shingles is sometimes obvious. If the hailstones are large enough, or they strike with enough velocity, they can leave your asphalt shingle roof with exposed asphalt. These black spots are often easily seen from the ground. Granules on asphalt shingles are the first line of defense. They protect your shingle roof from UV radiation, rain, hail, etc. Beneath the granules is the asphalt. This is there to adhere the granules to the fiberglass foundation, and help protect your roof deck from moisture. Without the granules, the asphalt can dry quicker as it’s exposed to the sun and heat. This can lead to cracking.
Smaller or less dense stones can still damage your roof even though you can’t see it, especially from the ground. That’s why it’s important to have your roof inspected from a trained roofing professional after a hail storm has passed through your neighborhood. We offer free no-obligation inspections.
If you have an asphalt shingle roof, look for black spots. If you see black spots, look for cracks within them. Black spots mean you have some sort of roofing damage, probably from hail. Cracks within those mean you have a potential water leak in your shingles. These are signs you need a new roof.
if your asphalt shingle roof has lots of these black spots on it, you probably have hail damage
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing, such as stone-coated metal shingles and standing seam, are more durable than traditional asphalt shingles, and, as a result, take more of a beating. However, they are not hail proof. They can still crack if struck from large enough hailstones. If you have standing seam metal roofing, looks for dents and cracks, not only on the panels themselves, but also on flashing. Although dents are often purely aesthetic, there may be cracks within or around them. If a hail storm as recently come through your neighborhood, contact us for a free inspection.
Corrugated metal is the most resistant roofing product to hail. It takes a much larger hailstone to damage this type of roofing. The peaks and valleys of corrugated metal are a particularly strong area. When a hailstone strikes here, the stones will either shatter or bounce off. When a hailstone strikes in between these areas, they are simply deflected away. However, as with standing seam, corrugated metal roofing panels are not invincible. It just takes a much larger hail stone to damage them. How large a hail stone? That depends. A small hail stone striking a corrugated metal roof with enough velocity can still cause damage. A large hail stone that’s less dense might not cause any damage at all. Again, if your roof has been exposed to hail, it’s always a good idea to have it inspected, especially since roof inspections are free 🙂
Tiles
Clay, concrete, and slate tiles can crack when hit with enough force. Small cracks aren’t always obvious from the ground. Shattered tiles, on the other hand, often are. Curved tiles, such as Spanish Mission tiles, offer the most hail resistance compared to flat. However, they are not hail proof. Clay tiles are often thinner than concrete tiles. You won’t find dents in clay, concrete or slate tiles. Hail damage to these roofing products are always cracked. So, if a hail storm has come through your neighborhood, have your roof inspected for hail damage.
Wood Shake
Wood shake is the least hail resistant roofing product. Hail damage to wood shake often looks like split shakes. This is especially true for older shake. Large enough hail stones can completely shatter and/or dislodge shake. Smaller hail stones often bounce right off of shake. If your wood shake roof has been exposed to hail, small or large, have it inspected right away.
Regardless of which roofing product you have, if your roof has been exposed to hail, have it inspected immediately. The sooner hail damage is found and dealt with, the less the repairs will cost you.
Your Hail Resistant Roofing Options
‘Hail resistant’ should not be mistaken for ‘hail proof’. There are many hail resistant roofing options available, today. Impact resistant asphalt shingles are the most common. Metal roofing, such as standing seam and corrugated metal are increasing in popularity due to their durability and cooling effects. Stone-coated metal shingles are also becoming more popular since they are more durable than asphalt shingles and last a lot longer than said shingles.
Impact Resistant Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the least expensive, which is why they are the most common. All asphalt shingle manufacturers make impact resistant shingles, such as Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Tamko.
If you’re looking for the most impact resistant asphalt shingle, look for SBS modified ones. SBS modified asphalt shingles have a little rubber in them. This gives the shingles more flexibility. Hail and other debris has a greater tendency to bounce off of SBS modified shingles. Non-SBS, Class-4 impact resistant shingles are still great products, however.
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles
Stone-coated metal shingles can have the appearance of traditional shingles, what with the coating of granules on top. However, instead of fiberglass underneath, there’s a metal foundation. This metal is much more resistant to hail than fiberglass. As a result, these metal shingles last longer. Although they cost more initially, stone-coated metal shingles often cost less in the long run. Another advantage of these shingles is that they’re recyclable right here in Colorado. Asphalt shingles are not.
EPDM/Rubber
EPDM is basically a rubber roof. It’s available in different mils (thicknesses). As with SBS modified asphalt shingles, hail generally bounces right off of EPDM. We often install EPDM onto commercial buildings, and low-slope residential buildings, such as home additions and detached garages. Because hail tends to bounce off EPDM, especially the thicker variety, it’s a great low-sloped roofing product if you’re looking for one that’s hail resistant.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles do a decent job at resisting hail damage due to their thickness. However, given large enough hailstones, they can still crack or shatter. Westlake Royal Roofing makes a hail-resistant concrete roofing tile.
Metal
Metal, such as standing seam, stone-coated metal shingles, and corrugated, is the most hail resistant roofing product you can get. Corrugated, in particular, because it has no flat surfaces. As mentioned above, the peaks of corrugated metal are particularly strong and the curves of the metal deflect hail away.
The Bottom Line
Roof hail damage looks different depending upon the roof you have. If you’re looking for the most hail resistant roofing product, look at corrugated metal. Added benefits are its recyclable, cool in the Summer, affordable in the long run, and often lasts the longest of any roofing product. Don’t want that ‘farmy’ look? Go with stone-coated metal shingles, as they resemble traditional asphalt shingles but last a lot longer. Still clinging-on to asphalt shingles? Look for an SBS modified shingle.
When talking about the least or most durable roofs for Northern Colorado, we mean with respect to anything that threatens the longevity of it, such as wind, hail, fire, sun or UV radiation, rain, snow, and the general degradation of the roof. Others things that affect the longevity of a roof include the quality of the materials, if they were installed correctly, and if they were maintained. In this article, we’re going to set those things aside, and assume average quality, correctly installed, and well maintained roofs.
Below are popular roofs ranked with respect to their resistance to the following elements:
an asphalt shingle roof in Fort Collins during strong winds
Snow Answer: The most durable roof is standing seam and stone-coated metal shingles and shake. The least durable roof is wood shake and traditional asphalt shingles since they’re the shortest-lived.
The Most Durable Roof to Wind
Metal roofing, be it standing seam or metal shingles, offer superior wind resistance for a number of reasons. First of all, screws are used to secure them into place instead of nails. Screws offer superior holding power over nails. Secondly, metal panels or sheets have fewer seams which means fewer areas where wind can lift up the roof. Metal is stronger than other more common roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles easily tear in wind once loose. Because metal is thinner than, for example, clay or concrete tiles, it’s more difficult for wind to grab a hold of it. This makes it more resistant to wind than these materials.
Natural slate is very heavy. On average, slate tiles weigh between 9.1 lbs/sf for 1/4″ and 18.8 lbs/sf for 1/2″ tiles. This heavy weight makes it more wind resistant than lighter roofing materials. The heavier the roofing material, the stronger a wind it takes to lift it. It is for this reason alone that makes natural slate highly wind resistant.
Concrete and clay tiles are also heavy. On average, they weigh between 9 to 11 lbs/sf. They, too, make for a great wind resistant roofing option for this reason. What makes most clay tiles less wind resistant, and some concrete tiles, is their thickness or taller profile. This taller profile gives high winds something to grab.
Approximate Weights of Popular Residential Roofing Materials:
Metal: 1.2 lbs/sf
Wood shake: 2.4 lbs/sf
Asphalt shingles: 2.7 lbs/sf
Concrete tile: 9.3 lbs/sf
Clay tile: 10.8 lbs/sf
Slate: 9.1 – 18.8 lbs/sf
Asphalt shingles offer modest wind resistance compared to other roofing options. Nails secure shingles down, which are inferior to screws. Most manufacturers produce more than one shingle line that withstand winds of at least 110mph. A professionally installed shingle will ensure the longest life possible.
Wood shake roofing is among the least wind resistant. For one, it’s lightweight. As a result, they are easily blown-off. Installers often use nails or staples to secure them to the roof deck. These fasteners have less holding power than screws, which makes them easy to remove. Wood shake also has a higher profile (thicker) than, for example, metal roofing panels. This gives wind something to grab, which makes them susceptible to wind damage.
Metal (standing seam, stone-coated metal shingles)
Natural Slate
Concrete or Clay Tile
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
Most Durable Roof to Fire
Slate
You can’t get a more fire resistant roofing material than natural slate. Simply put, rock doesn’t burn. Slate roofing tiles carry a Class A fire-resistant rating – the highest in the industry. Slate is very heavy, however. If your roof deck is made of wood, which most are, if your house is on fire, your roof could collapse sooner than if you had a lighter roofing material, for example, metal panels. Although the most durable roofing material to fire is slate, it comes at a cost.
Standing Seam
Standing seam metal roofing panels contain no flammable substances, just like slate. Although metal doesn’t burn, it can warp if the temperature is high enough. However, because standing seam panels are slick, hot embers will slide right off. Standing seam is also very lightweight. If a fire were to start inside the home, it should stand longer than if the house had a slate roof.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles also contain no flammable substances. However, some concrete roofing products have gaps between each tile, which embers can blow into. Concrete tiles are also heavy, like slate, which makes it unappealing from a stability standpoint should your walls be weakened by a fire.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles also don’t burn. However, some clay tiles are thinner than others and can become brittle should exposed to extreme heat. Also, some clay tiles do not lay flat against one another. As a result, embers can blow-in underneath them.
Stone-Coated Steel Shingles
Metal shingles and tiles contain asphalt. Asphalt burns, which is why these roofing products are further down on our list. Some stone-coated metal shingles and tiles have a tighter fit than others, preventing embers from blowing-in underneath or between them.
Traditional Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles contain asphalt which burns. Granted, the top layer is made of granules, which helps protect the asphalt from embers. Should your asphalt shingle roof lose those granules, it is now susceptible to fire, as well as water leaks.
Wood Shake
Wood shake is the least fire resistant roofing option because wood burns. It is naturally flammable. Treated wood shake is better, but requires regular treatments, which is expensive.
The best fire resistant roofing material contains no flammable substance and won’t have any gaps between each layer. No gaps means no place for embers to blow into. See some of Westlake Royal Roofing’s products.
Most Durable Roofs to Fire:
Slate (most resistant)
Standing Seam, Corrugated
Concrete Tiles
Clay Tiles
Metal Shingles
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
asphalt shingle roof with hail damage
Most Durable Roof to Hail
Metal
Metal roofing is the most hail resistant roofing option available today. Corrugated panels, in particular, offer the best hail resistance. The curved shape of the profile deflect hail the best. This profile also helps hide dents should any occur from a heavy hail storm. If you live in an area where hail storms are constantly a threat, corrugated metal roofing is your best bet. Metal roofing is also your least expensive roofing option, over the long run.
Slate
Natural slate is very resistant to hail. A large enough hail stone could crack slate, however. That same size stone might only dent a metal roof. A slate roof is already very expensive. Repairing one is also very expensive.
Concrete Tile
A concrete tile roof is also very hail resistant, due to it’s thickness. However, like slate, a large enough hail stone can crack a concrete tile. Concrete tile can also crack or break from the weight of the person installing it. Clay roofing tiles are considered somewhat less hail resistant, since they are often thinner than concrete. If you’re in the market for a concrete tile roof, be sure to ask for one that’s Class 4 hail rated, such as these from Westlake Royal Roofing.
Not all impact resistant shingles are the same, however. Those made with a little rubber in them are most resistant, such as Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Flex. These carry the same Class 4 impact resistant rating as their Duration Storm, but will withstand hail better and for longer. Most asphalt shingle manufacturers make Class 4 impact resistant shingles. However, they are not as durable as metal, slate, or concrete.
Wood shake is the least hail resistant roofing material available today for homes. Certain wood shake manufacturers offer a Class 4 impact resistant product, but it’s still not comparable to other impact resistant roofing products.
Most Hail-Resistant Roofs:
Metal (most resistant)
Slate
Concrete Tile
Clay Tile
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
Most Durable Roof to Sun/UV
Believe it or not, the sun can damage your roof. It can cause asphalt shingles to warp and crack. Ultraviolet radiation can break down some roofing materials faster than others. Heat from the sun can dry-up your roof making it more susceptible to hail and fire. Sunlight can also cause colors to fade. In addition, some roofing materials release absorbed heat and reflect sunlight better than others. Below, all of these factors are taken into consideration when ranking the most sun and UV resistant roofing materials.
Color Fading
Metal roofing panels, such as standing seam and corrugated, offer the best resistance to color fading. In fact, our painted metal panels are produced with either Kynar 500® or Hylar 5000® resins which provide superior color retention. This allows us to offer non-pro-rated coating warranties for most applications.
Due to how concrete and clay tiles are made, they often resist color-fading well. Although clay roofing tiles fair better than concrete, you should expect some minor amount of weathering as they age.
Natural slate has a tencency to ‘weather’ and no so much ‘color-fade’ over time. Nonetheless, it can change color, as a result. This is one characteristic of slate that makes it charming.
Although most asphalt shingle manufacturers offer an anti-color-streaking from algae option, none offer a true color-fade-resistant option. Over the lifetime of your asphalt shingles, expect some degree of color fading, albeit minor.
All wood shake varieties fade over time. Western red cedar fades to a grown/gray color. Easter white cedar starts off as a pale yellow/brown, but fades into a gray. This makes it difficult to color-coordinate a wood shake roof with the rest of your house.
a weathered wood shake roof in Fort Collins
Heat Emittance and Solar Reflectivity
Metal roofing panels perform extremely well with respect to heat emittance (release adsorbed heat) and solar reflectivity (reflects sunlight). This includes any color, not just white or silver. In fact, it is the best roofing material for Colorado, as it helps to cool your home during the hot summer months.
White stone-coated metal shingles and tiles also perform well, although not as well as metal panels. Other colors of metal shingles do not reflect nearly as much heat.
Warping and Cracking
Standing seam metal roofing panels, and stone-coated metal shingles and tiles do not warp. However, they can dent and crack from large hail stones or other large debris. The same is true for slate, and concrete and clay tiles. These roofing materials are much more rigid than asphalt shingles and wood shake, and therefore more durable. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, are more flexible and as a result are more susceptible to warping. Wood shake is more susceptible than other roofing materials to cracking from large hail stones.
Roofs Most Resistant to Sun/UV:
Metal (most resistant)
Concrete Tile
Clay Tile
Slate
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
Most Durable Roof to Rain
When talking about residential or steep slope roofing materials that are resistant to rain, we’re really talking about which ones that are resistant to the effects of rain, such as warping, swelling, mold, and rot. Metal roofing, such as standing seam and metal shingles, hold-up extremely well to rain because they they do not warp or swell when wet. Metal panels in particular, quickly shed rainwater thanks to its slick surface. Their fewer seams are also beneficial – more seams means more leak opportunites.
Natural slate also does not swell or warp. It is an extremely durable roofing product. Because natural slate can crack or shatter from large objects, such as hail. These cracks make the roof susceptible to rain. Each slate tile is significantly smaller than metal panels. Therefore, more seams, which is not ideal.
The most rain resistant roofing material will shed rainwater quickly, have the fewest seams, and will not absorb water. Clay and concrete tiles are porous and can absorb rainwater. We see more algae growth and mold on clay and concrete roofs than we do on metal. The somewhat coarse texture of clay and concrete roofing tiles won’t shed rain as quickly as metal.
One of the nice things about asphalt shingles is their flexibility. This is potentially a problem, however. Old asphalt shingles have a tendency to curl when there’s poor attic ventilation. This, in turn, leads to moisture build-up, which leads to mold and rot. Most roofing material manufacturers, such as Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed, make asphalt shingles that resist algae growth. However, these are not necessarily resistant to mold or rotting.
Wood shake is the worst at resisting mold, mildew, rot, and algae. Unless otherwise stated or requested, new wood shake roofing is not treated and is susceptible to these. Wood naturally absorbs moisture, which leads to rotting, mold, and algae. Also, even if a new wood shake roof is initially treated, it requires additional regularly-scheduled treatments.
Most Rain-Resistant Roofs:
Metal (most resistant)
Slate
Concrete Tile
Clay Tile
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
Snow on a metal barn roof. Photo courtesy Sno Gem
Most Durable Roof to Snow
What dangers or theats does snow present to roofs? Excessive snowfall can be very heavy. How much snow weighs depends upon how wet it is. Here in Colorado, sometimes we get very wet snow in the late fall or early spring. Wet snow is heavier than dry snow. Snow in the dead of winter, however, is often very light and fluffy. The extra weight of snow is a threat to your roof.
Water damage from melting snow is also a danger to your roof. Some roofing materials absorb moisture better than others. Some have more seams than others. More seams equals more opportunities for leaks.
When it comes to shedding snow, standing seam and corrugated panels are the quickest to shed it, thanks to its slick surface. And, because metal doesn’t warp or absorb moisture, it’s also highly resistant to standing snow. Metal roofing panels, such as standing seam and corrugated panels, have fewer seams. Therefore, fewer opportunites for leaks. They can expand and contract in the changing temperatures. This fluctuation can cause breaks or cracks in the sealant on the seams. Therefore, as with any roof, your metal roof should be inspected regularly.
Natural slate also won’t swell or absorb moisture from snow. Although not as slick as metal panels, slate still sheds snow better than asphalt shingles. Slate is heavy, however. With the added weight of wet snow, you’ll want to make sure your house can handle the extra load.
Concrete and clay tiles are also heavy, albeit not as heavy as slate. Concrete and clay tiles have a tendency to absorb moisture, which makes them less than ideal for Colorado. They also become brittle in Colorado’s changing temperatures. As a result, they are more susceptible to cracking and breaking.
Stone-coated metal shingles and tiles have granules on them, which prevents snow from sliding off. From this standpoint, they are not the best for shedding snow. They also have more seams, due to their smaller size, which leads to higher vulnerability. Metal shingles and tiles do not absorb moisture, however.
Due to the rough texture of asphalt shingles, they do not shed snow nearly as quickly as slick metal panels. In addition, as shingles age, they lose their granules, exposing the fiberglass beneath. Now the roof is susceptible to water leaks.
Natural wood shake is the least resistant to snow, here in Colorado. For one, their rough texture hangs-on to show longer than, for example, metal panels. Secondly, wood shake absorbs moisture, and, as a result, is extremely prone to rotting, and mold and plant growth.
Most Snow-Resistant Roofs:
Standing Seam and Corrugated Metal (most resistant)
Slate
Concrete Tile
Clay Tile
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles
Asphalt Shingles
Wood Shake (least resistant)
Corrugate sheet metal is the most durable roofing material.
The Bottom Line
The most durable roofing material is corrugated sheet metal. Other metal roofing panel profiles are next in line, such as standing seam. They are the best at shedding snow and rain. Metal roofing panels are the most resistant to color fading. They are the coolest roofing material. Metal is recyclable in just about any area, not just Colorado. It is the most resistant to hail and other debris. Metal is highly resistant to fire. Because of the fewer seams and screws used to secure the panels down, metal roofing is highly wind resistant.
If the most durable roofing material is your number one concern, contact us for a free, non-obligation estimate and inspection. We manufacturer our own standing seam metal roofing panels in-house and we offer non-pro-rated coating warranties for most applications.
Roof hail damage in Wellington looks different on different roofing materials. And, the damage isn’t always obvious, especially from the ground. In this post, we share, with pictures, what obvious roof hail damage looks like on popular roofing materials used here in Colorado. If you’ve recently been hit by a hail storm, contact us for a free, no-obligation inspection and estimate. We will inspect your roof, completely free of charge, and let you know if there’s any damage (or if there isn’t!)
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are fairly durable, some more than others. This image shows hail damage to 3-tab shingles. These shingles are often the least expensive and the least durable. Most 3-tab shingles are not impact resistant. As a result, they also don’t last as long as other, higher-quality shingles. It should be noted that impact resistant is not impact proof. We have replaced new impact resistant shingles due to hail damage.
It’s easy to spot severely hail-damaged asphalt shingles. When large hail stones strike asphalt shingles, they expose the asphalt below the granules. Granules help protect the shingles from ultraviolet radiation, as well as from rain, snow, and hail. Where granules are missing, your shingles are missing this first line of defense. Without these granules, asphalt shingles deteriorate prematurely.
Wood Shake
When a large hail stone strikes a wood shingle or shake roof, they can crack or splinter, or even shatter, such as in this photo. Shattered wood shingles in this photo is where very large or dense hail stones struck. Wood shake roofs are among the shortest-lived, at around 30 years, even if treated and regularly maintained. They are susceptible to mold and rot. This is because they hold moisture. Wood roofs are also flammable, which is why they should be avoided in our low-humidity environment. If you want that wood shake look, but don’t want the disadvantages of real wood, checkout these alternatives! You might also be interested in viewing these stone-coated metal shingles we installed for a customers of ours in Greeley. From a distance, they look like wood shake, but up-close, you can tell something’s different. The advantages of metal over wood is that it lasts longer, is less expensive in the long term, and is recyclable in our area.
Standing Seam Metal Roof
When large hail stones hit standing seam roofs, it can dent the metal. This is often not really a problem, other than a visual one. However, if the hail stones are large enough, it can crack the metal panels. This photo is of an older standing seam metal roof. Even though dents are visible, it is still a fully-functioning roof.
Metal roofing is one of the most durable steep-sloped roofing materials. Our customers can expect 70 years or more out of our standing seam metal roofing panels. Metal roofing panels are also the coolest in that they help lower your Summer utility bill. This is particularly important as our Summers are getting hotter. Another nice thing about metal roof is that it’s recyclable in our area, unlike asphalt shingles. What’s more, metal roofing often ends-up costing the least in the long run. This is because it lasts so much longer than other, less expensive roofing options.
If you’re interested in a roof that helps cool your home, costs less, and lasts longer, contact us for a free estimate.
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles
When large hail strikes stone-coated metal shingles, they, too, can lose their granules, exposing the asphalt beneath. A sign of hail-damaged stone-coated metal shingles is black spots on your roof. As with asphalt shingles, these black spots are exposed asphalt. Hit enough times or with a large enough object, metal shingles can dent and crack. Missing granules on metal shingles isn’t as much of an emergency as with asphalt shingles. The granules on metal shingles is more for aesthetics than it is for protection.
Because of their metal foundation, stone-coated metal shingles and tiles are among the most durable steep-sloped roofing material. You can expect 70 years or more out of them, if properly installed.
Clay Roofing Tiles
Clay roofing tiles are somewhat fragile. They easily break and shatter from hail. In fact, our clay roofing tile manufacturer does not offer Class 4 impact resistant clay roofing tiles. For this reason, clay roofing is not recommended. A better alternative, if you like the barrel look of clay tiles, is concrete or stone-coated steel. These alternatives last much longer and are less expensive than clay tiles.
Concrete Roofing Tiles
Concrete roofing tiles are more durable than clay tiles. They can still break. However, not often from hail. Concrete roofing tiles more often break from foot traffic. Still, concrete roofing tiles are a great investment. For one, they look great – they resemble real wood shake or stone slate or clay barrels. Also, they’re recyclable in area, unlike asphalt shingles. Although they’re the most expensive steep-sloped roofing material initially, they are low-cost in the long-run. This is because they last so long. Concrete roofing tiles often last 70+ years.
Now that you know what roof hail damage in Wellington looks like, if you see any of the above signs, contact us for a free inspection and estimate.
Roof hail damage in Severance can be serious. We’ve noticed homes further away from the foothills often have more roof hail damage than homes close to the foothills. For example, homes West of Overland Trail in Fort Collins often won’t get hit by hail nearly as bad as homes just a mile or two East of there. The great town of Severance is several miles East of the foothills, and we’ve noticed they can get pounded by hail.
If you suspect hail damage to your home in Severance, contact us for a free, no-obligation roof inspection. Some signs of hail roof damage are obvious. Some aren’t. Below, we list the obvious signs.
asphalt shingle roof with hail damage
Roof Hail Damage to Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in the country. They are basically a layer of fiberglass with granules adhered to it with asphalt. When large hail stones hit them, a small shock wave is created. This causes the granules to bounce off. The result is a small black spot. That’s the exposed asphalt. Granules on asphalt shingles protect them from ultraviolet radiation and other elements. When the granules are gone, the exposed asphalt deteriorates quicker. Therefore, shortening the lifespan of your roof.
How large of hail stones cause dislodged granules? It depends upon a lot of factors, such as the density of the hail stones and their velocity, the age of the asphalt shingles and their quality. If you see black spots on your roof, have it inspected by a roofing professional. They can tell you if it’s time for a new roof.
Will your entire roof need replacing? Probably. Rarely do hail storms not damage an entire roof. However, if we inspect your roof and determine only a section of it needs replacing, we’ll let you know.
Stone-Coasted Metal Roofing
Stone-coated metal roofing is similar to asphalt shingles in that they have granules adhered to them. In this regard, large hail stones can create the same black spots. The urgency to attend to your stone-coated metal roofing is less compared to asphalt shingles, since the metal underneath is more durable. Still, large enough hail stones can crack metal roofing. So, if you suspect hail damage to your stone-coated metal roof, get it inspected right away.
Roof Hail Damage to Metal Roofing Panels
Metal roofing panels, such as standing seam or corrugated panels, don’t have granules on them that fly off when struck by hail. They can dent, however, from large hail stones. A dented roof is no more than a visual issue. However, they can crack from large hail stones or from repeated hail abuse. If you notice dents in your metal roofing panels or suspect damage to them, please do not climb onto your slick metal roof. It’s very dangerous. Call us instead, as we have all the gear and know-how to safely get on and off of your roof. We will let you know what we find.
Clay and Concrete Tiles
Spotting hail damage to your clay or concrete roofing tiles is different from other roofing material. Concrete roofing tiles are very durable. Clay is less durable. When clay roofing tiles are hit by hail, they often shatter. Therefore, it’s relatively easy to spot clay roofing hail damage. Concrete, on the other hand, is often more durable. Not all roofing tiles are the same, however. For example, only some of Westlake Royal Roofing’s concrete roofing tiles are Class 4 impact rated. Still, if you suspect a hail storm has recently come through your neighborhood, have your roof inspected by a roofing professional.
