How can you tell if your roof is impact resistant?
Where to look first
- Your contract and invoice: look for the exact product name and the words Class 4 or UL 2218.
- Leftover bundles in the garage or attic. The wrapper lists the product and rating.
- Warranty registration from the manufacturer, which names the product installed.
- Permit records from your city or county, which sometimes list the product.
- Your insurance declarations page, which may already show a roof credit.
- Sale documents from when you bought the home.
What a roofer can tell on the roof
Class 4 shingles made with SBS modified asphalt feel noticeably more flexible, almost rubbery, especially in warm weather. Product lines have specific dimensions, exposures and shadow patterns that an experienced roofer recognizes, and some shingles carry printed markings on the back or on the release film. None of these is as reliable as documentation, and some Class 4 shingles look identical to their standard versions, so treat a visual identification as a strong guess, not proof.
Why it matters
Some insurers offer a discount for Class 4 roofs and ask for proof, usually an invoice or certificate. The rating also matters when a hailstorm hits, since the roof should show less damage than a standard one, and it is a selling point when you list the house. If you just had a roof installed, ask your contractor for a copy of the invoice and warranty paperwork and keep them with your policy.
See impact resistant shingles in Georgia and what to expect from a roof inspection.