Neither metal roofing nor asphalt shingles are universally more hail-resistant. Performance depends on the exact product, metal panel profile, test method, roof deck and installation—and “resistant” can mean avoiding leaks, tears or granule loss, not avoiding visible dents. UL 2218 and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) use different methods, so their results are not a direct metal-versus-shingle ranking.
What the ratings can—and cannot—tell you
A rating describes performance under a specified test, not a guarantee that a roof will escape damage in every storm. It also does not, by itself, settle whether an insurer will cover a claim or lower a premium.
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UL 2218: four impact classes
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) describes UL 2218 as a laboratory test in which steel balls are dropped from different heights onto roofing products, which are then inspected for damage. It assigns four impact classes, with Class 4 the highest. See ARMA’s technical resources for its 2025 technical bulletin.
For scale, GAF’s current impact-resistant materials page gives a Class 3 example using a 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from 17 feet and a Class 4 example using a 2-inch ball dropped from 20 feet. Those are examples of the test setup, not descriptions of natural hail or a guarantee of real-world outcomes. Treat a product as rated only when its packaging bears the relevant classification statement. GAF’s impact-resistant roofing materials information
#1 Best Overall
- WIND-RESISTANT 3-TAB ASPHALT SHINGLES:Designed to withstand winds up to 60 mph, these high-quality roofing shingles provide reliable protection for your roof, whether it's for your house, shed, or other structures.
- PERFECT FOR DIY ROOFING PROJECTS:Ideal for a range of small roofing tasks, including building shed roofs, pet houses, making repairs, and completing small roofing projects or filling in missing areas.Save on labor costs by installing these easy-to-use shingles yourself.
- PREMIUM QUALITY ROOFING MATERIALS:Made from high-quality, durable materials, these shingles ensure long-lasting protection. Each pack is carefully packaged with protective film and wooden boards to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, It reflects our dedication to quality.
- EFFORTLESS INSTALLATION WITH INCLUDED NAILS:Each shingle comes with 6 professional galvanized roofing nails, ensuring a secure installation without additional purchases. These nails enhance wind resistance, making your roof more robust.
- PACKAGING SIZE:The package includes 8 Tan 3-tab asphalt shingles, each measuring 39.4 inches x 13.1 inches, covering approximately 12.8 square feet.
IBHS: a relative comparison for asphalt shingles
IBHS tests asphalt shingles with laboratory-manufactured hailstones designed to mimic some properties of natural hail. Its current overview describes 1.5-inch and 2.0-inch test hailstones and assessment of dents, tears and granule loss. The method is designed to compare relative performance, not to certify that a product is hail-proof. IBHS hail impact testing overview
IBHS’s published report describes a tested set of 22 asphalt-shingle products from five manufacturers. That is the sample in the report, not a census of products currently on the market. IBHS also cautions that laboratory hail does not exactly reproduce natural impacts and says its protocol is not intended for insurance claims, warranties or legal standards. IBHS Impact Resistance Test Protocol for Asphalt Shingles
Rank #2
- WIND-RESISTANT 3-TAB ASPHALT SHINGLES:Designed to withstand winds up to 60 mph, these high-quality roofing shingles provide reliable protection for your roof, whether it's for your house, shed, or other structures.
- PERFECT FOR DIY ROOFING PROJECTS:Ideal for a range of small roofing tasks, including building shed roofs, pet houses, making repairs, and completing small roofing projects or filling in missing areas.Save on labor costs by installing these easy-to-use shingles yourself.
- PREMIUM QUALITY ROOFING MATERIALS:Made from high-quality, durable materials, these shingles ensure long-lasting protection. Each pack is carefully packaged with protective film and wooden boards to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, It reflects our dedication to quality.
- EFFORTLESS INSTALLATION WITH INCLUDED NAILS:Each shingle comes with 6 professional galvanized roofing nails, ensuring a secure installation without additional purchases. These nails enhance wind resistance, making your roof more robust.
- PACKAGING SIZE:The package includes 8 Gray 3-tab asphalt shingles, each measuring 39.4 inches x 13.1 inches, covering approximately 12.8 square feet.
FM 4473 is another method
ARMA distinguishes UL 2218 from FM 4473, which tests rigid roofing materials using freezer ice balls launched pneumatically. A result under one method should not be treated as interchangeable with a result under another. Check the exact test method and product before comparing claims.
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“Metal roof” and “asphalt shingles” each cover products with different constructions and performance. The available testing does not establish a shared, independent, model-by-model ranking of metal panels against named asphalt shingles. It therefore cannot support claims that metal always wins or that a Class 4 asphalt shingle is equivalent to metal.
Rank #3
- WIND-RESISTANT 3-TAB ASPHALT SHINGLES:Designed to withstand winds up to 60 mph, these high-quality roofing shingles provide reliable protection for your roof, whether it's for your house, shed, or other structures.
- PERFECT FOR DIY ROOFING PROJECTS:Ideal for a range of small roofing tasks, including building shed roofs, pet houses, making repairs, and completing small roofing projects or filling in missing areas.Save on labor costs by installing these easy-to-use shingles yourself.
- PREMIUM QUALITY ROOFING MATERIALS:Made from high-quality, durable materials, these shingles ensure long-lasting protection. Each pack is carefully packaged with protective film and wooden boards to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, It reflects our dedication to quality.
- EFFORTLESS INSTALLATION WITH INCLUDED NAILS:Each shingle comes with 6 professional galvanized roofing nails, ensuring a secure installation without additional purchases. These nails enhance wind resistance, making your roof more robust.
- PACKAGING SIZE:The package includes 8 Black 3-tab asphalt shingles, each measuring 39.4 inches x 13.1 inches, covering approximately 12.8 square feet.
| What to compare | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Exact product and profile | What is the product name, construction and, for metal, panel profile? Does the evidence apply to that product rather than the material category? |
| Test method and result | Was the product tested under UL 2218, IBHS’s asphalt-shingle protocol, FM 4473 or another method? What does that method measure? |
| Type of damage | Does the concern involve cosmetic denting, tears, granule loss or impaired weather protection? A visible dent and a loss of roof function are not the same outcome. |
| Deck and installation | What roof substructure or decking does the system require, and does the installation follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local code? |
| Warranty and insurance | What damage is excluded from the warranty, and what requirements does the actual insurer apply to discounts and claims? |
The Metal Roofing Alliance calls out dent resistance, substructure and installation requirements as considerations in hail-prone areas. It also says many quality metal roofing manufacturers offer products compliant with UL 2218 Class 4. That is category-level guidance, not proof that every metal product has that rating or performs alike. Metal Roofing Alliance hail guidance
What a Class 4 asphalt shingle means in practice
Class 4 is the highest UL 2218 class; it does not mean a shingle cannot be damaged by hail. One named example is GAF Timberline AS II, which GAF says passes UL 2218 Class 4 testing. That is a manufacturer statement, not an independent metal-versus-shingle comparison. GAF also says hail damage is not covered by its limited warranty. Check the exact product documentation and warranty terms for the product you are considering. GAF Timberline AS II product information
Rank #4
- WIND-RESISTANT 3-TAB ASPHALT SHINGLES:Designed to withstand winds up to 60 mph, these high-quality roofing shingles provide reliable protection for your roof, whether it's for your house, shed, or other structures.
- PERFECT FOR DIY ROOFING PROJECTS:Ideal for a range of small roofing tasks, including building shed roofs, pet houses, making repairs, and completing small roofing projects or filling in missing areas.Save on labor costs by installing these easy-to-use shingles yourself.
- PREMIUM QUALITY ROOFING MATERIALS:Made from high-quality, durable materials, these shingles ensure long-lasting protection. Each pack is carefully packaged with protective film and wooden boards to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, It reflects our dedication to quality.
- EFFORTLESS INSTALLATION WITH INCLUDED NAILS:Each shingle comes with 6 professional galvanized roofing nails, ensuring a secure installation without additional purchases. These nails enhance wind resistance, making your roof more robust.
- PACKAGING SIZE:The package includes 8 Red 3-tab asphalt shingles, each measuring 39.4 inches x 13.1 inches, covering approximately 12.8 square feet.
Will a hail-resistant roof lower your insurance premium?
Do not assume so. GAF says any insurance discounts for impact-resistant materials depend on the state and insurance company and are not guaranteed. Before selecting a roof based on a possible discount, ask your insurer whether it offers one, which exact products or ratings qualify, and what documentation it requires. A test rating alone does not establish how a carrier will price a policy or handle a claim. GAF impact-resistant materials and insurance information
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Best Value
- The product is manufactured in united states
How to choose a roof for a hail-prone area
- Define the damage you want to reduce. Decide whether the priority is limiting leaks and functional damage, reducing visible dents, or both. Do not assume one result guarantees the other.
- Get the exact product details. Ask for the product name, metal profile or shingle model, and documentation for any claimed impact rating. For UL 2218, check that the applicable package bears the classification statement.
- Confirm what the test actually establishes. Compare products tested under the same method where possible. Do not use an IBHS asphalt-shingle comparison as a direct ranking against metal panels, or treat FM 4473 and UL 2218 as the same test.
- Review the complete installed system. Ask the roofing contractor about decking or substructure, local code, installation requirements and the qualifications needed for the proposed system.
- Read warranty exclusions before buying. Verify what the manufacturer’s warranty says about hail damage; a strong test result does not automatically mean hail damage is covered.
- Check with your insurer directly. Ask about eligibility, required evidence and any premium effect for the exact roof product before counting on savings.
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