Class 4 Impact-Resistant shingles: Are they Worth it on the Front Range?
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Short answer: Class 4 is the top rating under the UL 2218 and FM 4473 impact tests.[1] In IBHS testing, the better impact-rated shingles scored about 14% higher than non-rated ones and cost about 9% more per square, so they often make sense in hail-prone areas like the Front Range. The ratings don't fully capture cosmetic damage.[2]
Colorado's Front Range, Kansas, Minnesota, and North Texas get some of the most frequent large hail in the country. You can see it in the NOAA storm reports on our Denver, Wichita, and Dallas pages.[3]
What does "Class 4" mean?
Impact-rated shingles are rated Class 3 or Class 4 under the UL 2218 or FM 4473 test standards.[1] IBHS research shows these tests mostly look for cracks and openings, and don't fully capture dents, bruising, or granule loss.[2]
What did IBHS testing find?
- With 2-inch lab hailstones, impact-rated shingles rated Good or Excellent averaged about 14% better scores than the same manufacturers' non-rated shingles. For some products the gain was as high as 34%.[1]
- Every impact-rated shingle that scored Good or Excellent at 2 inches was polymer-modified asphalt (PMA).[1]
- In IBHS's 2025 ratings of 24 products, most earned "Good" and none earned "Excellent."[4]
How much more do Class 4 shingles cost?
In an IBHS survey of seven markets, Good and Excellent performers cost about 9% more per square than non-rated shingles. The difference was only 2 to 4% in Oklahoma City and Dallas–Fort Worth.[1]
Do insurers offer discounts for impact-resistant roofs?
Some insurers offer premium credits for impact-resistant roofs. Terms vary by company and state, so ask your agent. We can't promise a discount.
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Frequently asked questions
Class 4 vs Class 3 shingles: what is the difference?
Both are impact ratings. Class 4 passed the more severe test level. IBHS found that real-world performance varies by product, so check the IBHS ratings.
How much more do Class 4 shingles cost?
In IBHS's seven-market survey, top-rated impact-resistant shingles averaged about 9% more per square than standard shingles.
Sources
- IBHS, Hail Impact Performance of Asphalt Shingles (at a glance). ibhs.org/wp-content/uploads/member_docs/ibhs-hail-impact-at-a-glance.pdf
- IBHS, Hail research. ibhs.org/risk-research/hail/
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, storm reports (preliminary). www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/
- IBHS, 2025 Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings release (Nov 19, 2025). ibhs.org/ibhs-news-releases/ibhs-releases-its-most-expansive-impact-resistant-sh
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Estimates are not quotes. Roofing, insurance, and legal details vary. Confirm with your contractor, insurer, or attorney.