Rio Grande Valley
Class 4 impact resistant shingles in the Rio Grande Valley.
After a hail storm, a lot of Valley homeowners ask the same thing: can the new roof hold up better than the old one? Impact resistant shingles are built to take hail better, and some insurance companies give a discount for them. The catch is that not every shingle called "impact resistant" carries the rating insurance companies look for. Here at Texas Contractors, Inc., we'll walk you through the difference.
No deposit. You pay when the job is done.
What "Class 4" means.
Impact resistance is tested under a standard called UL 2218. A steel ball is dropped twice on the same spot of a shingle, and the rating depends on the largest ball the shingle survives without cracking:
- Class 1: 1.25 inch steel ball
- Class 2: 1.5 inch steel ball
- Class 3: 1.75 inch steel ball
- Class 4: 2 inch steel ball, the highest rating
Class 4 is the top of the scale, and it is the rating insurance companies in Texas give the most credit for.
Not every "impact resistant" shingle is Class 4.
Some shingles are sold as impact resistant but are rated Class 3 or lower, and some standard shingles have no impact rating at all. A homeowner who wants the insurance discount usually needs a true Class 4 shingle, with the label to prove it. Before you sign for a new roof, ask for the exact product name and its UL 2218 class, in writing.
The shingle we install for Class 4.
When a homeowner wants a true Class 4 roof, we install CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex. According to CertainTeed, it carries:
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance
- A 15 year, 110 mph wind resistance warranty, with an upgrade to 160 mph available
- A lifetime limited transferable warranty against manufacturing defects on homes, with 10 years of SureStart protection
- A 25 year StreakFighter algae resistance warranty
Insurance discounts and TWIA Form PC068.
Many insurance companies in Texas give a discount, called a premium credit, for impact resistant roofing. Class 4 gets the highest credit, but each insurance company sets its own rules, its own paperwork, and its own amount. Call your agent before the roof goes on and ask exactly what your policy needs.
For homes insured through TWIA, the shingles must pass UL 2218 and carry the proper label, and the contractor completes TDI Form PC068 after installation. The homeowner or agent then sends it to TWIA. We fill out the form when the insurance company requires it.
What impact resistant shingles cannot do.
No shingle is hail proof. Very large hail can still damage a Class 4 roof, and impact resistant shingles cost more up front than standard shingles. After a big hail storm, it is still worth having the roof checked. See the storm damage guide for what to do after a storm.
Why the installer matters.
A Class 4 shingle only performs as well as the roof it is part of. Texas Contractors, Inc. is a CertainTeed ShingleMaster Certified Installer. On qualifying complete CertainTeed roof systems, we include and register a CertainTeed SureStart PLUS 3 Star warranty at no extra charge, restrictions apply.
Our roofing work also comes with a written workmanship warranty from Texas Contractors, Inc.
On a 1980s mobile home in Harlingen, we installed a complete CertainTeed roof system and registered it for a SureStart PLUS 3 Star warranty.
When Class 4 makes the most sense.
- The roof needs replacing anyway, after a storm or from age
- The home has been hit by hail before
- The insurance company offers a credit for Class 4
- The home is in Cameron County and insured through TWIA, where Form PC068 applies
We explain the standard and Class 4 options during the free inspection, which takes about an hour.
Frequently asked questions.
What is a Class 4 shingle?
A shingle that passed the UL 2218 test without cracking after a 2 inch steel ball hit the same spot twice. Class 4 is the highest impact rating.
Is a Class 3 shingle good enough for an insurance discount?
Usually not. Most insurance discounts in Texas are based on Class 4. Each insurance company sets its own rules, so check with your agent.
Will Class 4 shingles lower my insurance?
They may. Many Texas insurance companies give a premium credit for Class 4 roofs, but the amount and the rules depend on the company. We can't promise a discount.
Are Class 4 shingles hail proof?
No. They hold up better to hail, but very large hail can still damage them.
Which Class 4 shingle do you install?
CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex.
Do you fill out TDI Form PC068?
Yes, when the insurance company requires it. The contractor completes the form after installation, and the homeowner or agent sends it to TWIA.
Will insurance pay for a Class 4 upgrade after a storm?
It depends on the policy. Ask your insurance company before the work starts whether it pays for the upgrade or only for a standard shingle.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We offer financing through third party lenders, HFS Financial and Synchrony. Checking if you prequalify is free, takes a couple of minutes, and uses a soft credit check, so it does not affect your credit score. Financing is subject to credit approval. The lender decides approval, rates, and terms based on your credit and other factors, and we do not set or guarantee them. Cash or financed, no deposit is needed, and you pay nothing until the job is done and you are satisfied.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept all major credit cards. A flat 1.75% card fee is added to credit card payments to cover processing costs. There is no fee for cash, check, or debit card. Card payments are made when the job is done, and no deposit is needed.
No deposit. You pay when the job is done.
Plenty of contractors want a deposit before the first shingle goes on. We don't. The job gets done first, and you pay when it's finished.
Thinking about a Class 4 roof? Start with a free inspection.
Four quick questions or one quick call. No obligation.
Financing is available through third party lenders, subject to credit approval. We accept all major credit cards, with a flat 1.75% card fee on credit card payments.
Free inspection, about an hour · We come to you