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Projects » Choosing the right roofing material
Choosing the right roofing material
Educate yourself about the different roofing materials and select the material that suits your taste and addresses your hail, high wind and fire risks.
Choosing materials
- Asphalt shingles (reinforced with fiberglass):
- Relatively low cost and easy to install.
- Good fire resistance (usually Class A).
- Class 3 and 4 impact resistance is available, should be used in hail regions.
- Available with wind warranties up to 130 mph, if installed in accordance with manufacturer's high wind requirements.
- Metal
- Long life
- Lightweight
- Popular for low and steep-slope roofs
- Often receives cosmetic damage from hailstorms, but Class 4 product rated for impact resistance are available.
- Product available with Class A fire rating.
- Slate
- Quarried in the Northeast and Virginia
- Very strong
- High quality slate can outlast most other roofing material
- Requires special skill and experience for installation, which can affect cost.
- Heavy so your contractor should verify the structure can hold the weight if you are replacing another kind of roofing material.
- Tile
- Good in dry climates.
- Solid, long lasting product.
- Higher threshold for hail damage.
- Can be more permeable than other products if exposed to blowing rain.
- Heavy so your contractor should verify the structure can hold the weight if you are replacing another kind of roofing material.
- Wood
- Good in dry climates.
- Thinner products can be susceptible to hail damage, especially after aging.
- Some building codes limit use because of wildfire concerns, but some product can be Class A fire rated with factory applied fire-resistant treatment.
- Often used in wrong climates for cosmetic reasons.
When choosing impact-resistant roofing for the hail risk in your area:
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