When comparing the best and worst roofing hail shingles, it’s important to verify your source of information.
The IBHS, or Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, is an entity whose main objective is to provide transparent and unbiased information regarding shingles and their respective efficiency.
They’re an excellent resource that Roofing Insights backs up, and now we’re going to take a look at their rankings for 2020.
Here are their top 5 shingles, in order:
Disclaimer: Dmitry Lipinskiy and Roofing Insights had no contributions to this report.
- Atlas StormMaster Shake
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration FLEX
- CertainTeed Northgate
- Malarkey Legacy
- Malarkey Vista
Quick story:
A few years ago, there was an HOA (homeowner’s association) who was looking to install new shingles on all their homes. The insurance claim came out to $1.5 million, which was good news for whichever lucky contractor won that bid.</p
The problem?
The shingles later performed horribly and didn’t last even two years.
“I’m not going to mention what the product was, or the brand, for legal reasons,”
says Lipinskiy,
“it’s not in the top five.”
The HOA went with Class-4 shingles, but that label carries an asterisk.
“Class-4 does not mean hail-proof. It means hail-resistant,”
notes Lipinskiy, also mentioning that
“insurance companies are interested in the products that really perform well.”
Why?
Well, for starters, insurance companies want to install shingles that will last, and unlike the brand of shingles mentioned in the story above, the IBHS has come up with many companies who offer a durable product.
Homeowners:
Always do your research on the different shingles in the market.
And right now, as a favor, Lipinskiy is offering to look over homeowners’ estimates, for free.
All you have to do is send him your estimates via any of Roofing Insights social media platforms, and after reviewing them he will respond with his expert advice.
Says Lipinskiy:
“Don’t pay more money for the products that are probably going to fail you. Make sure you’re not only listening to the sales reps and marketing promises. Go through third parties. Go through companies like Roofing Insights, IBHS. We don’t have a horse in this game. We’re not manufacturers. We want to educate and help you as a consumer.”
Looking for a trustworthy contractor in your area?
Check out the Roofing Insights Directory, which has roofers all over the United States and Canada who are ready and able to help with all your home exterior needs!
