Impact-resistant roof materials
GAF shingles and accessories engineered to give your roof a fighting chance against hail.
What is impact resistance?
The impact resistance of a roofing shingle is typically evaluated using standardized impact tests, such as the UL 2218 test, which assigns a Class 1 to 4 rating to passing products based on their performance in a steel ball drop test conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.
UL2218 impact testing
UL 2218 impact testing involves dropping various sized steel balls onto tested materials from different heights and evaluating whether there are any cracks on the back surface of the product. Products that withstand the impact of a 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from 17 feet receive a UL 2218 Class 3 rating while products that withstand the impact of a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet receive the highest rating, UL 2218 Class 4.
GAF UL 2218 Class 4 SBS modified shingles1
Timberline® AS II’s rubber-like SBS modified asphalt provides excellent flexibility that enhances resistance to cracking and allows AS II shingles to lay flatter in colder temperatures* when compared to our standard asphalt shingle. AS II's proprietary SBS-modified asphalt provides excellent granule adhesion per ASTM testing standards**. This makes Timberline® AS II shingles an easy to handle and dependable option for use in varying climates.
1GAF makes no express or implied warranty about the impact performance of this product against hail. Hail damage is not covered under the limited warranty.
*In temperatures of 40℉ or higher.
**Testing based on ASTM D4977 granule adhesion test
*In temperatures of 40℉ or higher.
**Testing based on ASTM D4977 granule adhesion test
Features and benefits
Impact resistance
GAF offers a variety of products with UL 2218 Class 3 and Class 4 ratings in regions prone to hail.
Potential insurance savings
Some carriers may offer discounts on homeowner's insurance premiums for installing qualifying Ul2218 Class 3 or Class 4 rated roofing products.2
Increase home value
A new roof may help increase your home's resale value.
2Insurance discounts are not guaranteed. If available, discounts vary by state and insurance company. Contact your insurance agent for information before installing a new roof.
Choose the right impact-resistant roofing solution at GAF
Shingles
Hip and ridge cap shingles
Metal roofing
Rooftop accessories
Master Flow™ Pivot™ pipe boot flashing
Available in all areas.
View Master Flow™ Pivot™ pipe boot flashing
Roll roofing
LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Base/Ply Sheet
Durable membrane used as a base sheet for LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Cap Sheet or as a ply sheet in modified bitumen roofing systems.
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LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Cap Sheet
An SBS Granule-surfaced roofing membrane providing durable protection for low-slope areas of your property.
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LIBERTY™ Asphalt Primer
Creates a base with excellent adhesion for GAF LIBERTY™ and other asphaltic roof systems.
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LIBERTY™ Flashing Cement
A premium formulation for use as a cold-applied bonding agent with GAF LIBERTY™ and other asphaltic roof systems.
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Shingles
Hip and ridge cap shingles
3GAF makes no express or implied warranty about the impact performance of these products against hail. Hail damage is not covered under the limited warranty.
4Grand Sequoia® AS and Timberline® AS II shingles, and Seal-A-Ridge® AS and TimberCrest® hip and ridge cap shingles are made with SBS-modified asphalt.
5Product availability may vary by area. Please see gaf.com/RidgeCapAvailability for more information.
6UL 2218, Class 4 rating applies to TimberSteel™ Field Shingles.
FORTFIED Roof™
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed the FORTIFIED Roof™ program as a voluntary construction and re-roofing program designed to help protect homes against specific types of severe weather, including high winds, hail, and hurricanes.
GAF offers a wide variety of roofing products that help meet certain FORTIFIED Roof™ requirements, such as shingles, roof deck protection, leak barriers and more. Visit gaf.com/fortified and the current FORTIFIED Home Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. Applicable in the United States only.
Frequently asked questions
Some insurance carriers may offer discounts on homeowner's insurance premiums if you install qualifying Ul2218 Class 3 or Class 4 rated roofing products. Insurance discounts are not guaranteed. If available, discounts vary by state and insurance company. Contact your insurance agent for information before installing a new roof.
While many homeowners insurance carriers offer a discount for an impact-resistant roof, they may require that you add a cosmetic waiver endorsement to your policy to receive the discount. These waivers can limit the coverage for hail in the future, including the exclusion of hail damage that does not cause the roof to leak as a result of the hail damage. Contact your insurance carrier to find out what discounts you may qualify for with an impact-resistant roof and how it may impact your coverage as a result.
Asphalt shingles that are rated Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact Ratings. such as GAF Timberline® ASII shingles can be used to comply with the shingle impact resistance requirement of the FORTIFIED Home™ Hail Supplement. Visit gaf.com/fortified and current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only. For the most current IBHS ratings, visit https://ibhs.org/hail/shingleperformance-ratings.
Related blog articles
The Impact-Resistant Shingles to Consider in Hail Prone Regions
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