Key Homeowner Takeaways
- •UL 2218 is the national standard steel ball drop test that rates roofing materials from Class 1 (weakest) to Class 4 (strongest).
- •Class 4 shingles withstand a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet twice in the exact same spot without cracking the backing fiberglass mat.
- •Installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualifies Arkansas homeowners for mandatory insurance premium discounts of 15% to 28% every single year.
- •Top Class 4 shingles include GAF Timberline ArmorShield II, CertainTeed NorthGate SBS, and Malarkey Legacy.
1. The UL 2218 Impact Test Rating Scale Explained
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) established the UL 2218 standard to objectively measure roofing resistance to hail strikes:
- **Class 1**: Withstands 1.25-inch steel ball dropped from 12 feet.
- **Class 2**: Withstands 1.50-inch steel ball dropped from 15 feet.
- **Class 3**: Withstands 1.75-inch (golf ball size) steel ball dropped from 17 feet.
- **Class 4 (Highest Standard)**: Withstands 2.00-inch (hen egg / pool ball size) solid steel ball dropped from 20 feet impacting at 70+ MPH.
To pass Class 4 certification, the shingle backing mat cannot exhibit any tears, fractures, or cracks under 10x magnification.
Upgrading to a Class 4 shingle adds approximately $900 to $1,400 to a standard roof replacement. With annual insurance savings of $350 to $650 in NWA, the upgrade pays for itself in less than 3 years.
2. How Class 4 SBS Rubberized Asphalt Works
Standard architectural shingles use oxidized asphalt that hardens over time. When hail strikes, the brittle surface fractures.
Class 4 shingles incorporate **Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer modifiers** that rubberize the asphalt. When hail hits, the rubberized matrix flexes and absorbs the kinetic impact energy like a rubber bumper, keeping granules locked in place and preventing sub-surface fiberglass rupture.
3. Top Class 4 Shingles for Northwest Arkansas
Haven Roofing installs the industry's premier Class 4 systems:
**1. GAF Timberline ArmorShield II**: Combines UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance with GAF's LayerLock wind technology and 50-year non-prorated Golden Pledge warranty.
**2. CertainTeed NorthGate SBS**: Exceptional cold-weather pliability and deep rich dimensional shadow lines.
**3. F-Wave Synthetic Slate & Shake**: Commercial-grade thermoplastic composite with Class 4 hail resistance and 130 MPH wind defense.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an insurance discount for a Class 4 roof in Arkansas?
Upon completion, Haven Roofing provides an official signed and certified Arkansas Form 2218 Impact Certificate to send to your insurance agent to apply the rate discount immediately.
Can Class 4 shingles still be damaged by hail?
While extremely durable, extreme hailstones exceeding 2.25" to 3.0" (baseball size) traveling at 90+ MPH can still damage Class 4 shingles, which remains covered by your homeowners insurance.