Why Class 4 matters in Calgary
Calgary is in the middle of Alberta’s hail corridor. The August 5, 2024 storm drove more than 130,000 insurance claims, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada says Alberta has had at least one major hailstorm every year for two decades. Many homes in the northeast have been re-roofed twice since 2020.
Standard shingles are not built for that. A Class 4 shingle has a more flexible, rubberized asphalt (often SBS-modified) or a reinforced backing that absorbs impacts that would crack a standard shingle’s mat.
How the UL 2218 test works
The test drops steel balls of increasing size onto a shingle sample installed on a deck. Each ball hits the same spot twice.
| Rating | Steel ball diameter | What it roughly represents |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1¼ inch | Small hail |
| Class 2 | 1½ inch | Walnut-size hail |
| Class 3 | 1¾ inch | Golf-ball-size hail |
| Class 4 | 2 inch | Hail larger than a golf ball |
To earn Class 4, the shingle must show no crack in the surface or the back after the 2-inch drops. Ask to see the product’s listing, not just a marketing badge.
What Class 4 does and doesn’t do for you
What it does:
- resists the hail sizes that cause most Calgary roof claims
- reduces the chance of leaks after a storm, so less interior damage
- may lower your premium with some insurers
- is often a selling point when you list the house
What it doesn’t do:
- guarantee you will never need a claim again (very large hail still causes damage)
- get paid for automatically by your insurer
- fix a poor installation (nailing, ventilation and flashing still matter)
Getting a discount, if your insurer offers one
- Call your broker before you choose. Ask whether they discount Class 4 roofs, how much, and what proof they accept.
- Keep the invoice, the product name and the manufacturer’s Class 4 listing. We include them in your completion package.
- Send them to your insurer once the roof is done. Discounts are not always applied automatically.
Class 4 options we install
We install Class 4 asphalt shingle lines from major manufacturers available in Calgary, and Class 4-rated metal roofing panels. Colour and profile choices are similar to standard architectural shingles. We bring samples to the inspection.
For a deeper look at whether the upgrade pays off for your situation, read our Class 4 shingles guide.
Installation details that keep a Class 4 roof working
The Class 4 rating comes from a lab test on a shingle installed over a solid deck. On your roof, three things decide whether you get that performance:
- A solid, sound deck. Soft or delaminated sheathing lets the shingle flex too much on impact. We replace damaged sheets during tear-off.
- The right nailing. Impact-resistant shingles still need the manufacturer’s nailing pattern, especially the high-wind schedule for chinooks.
- Matching accessories. Hip, ridge and starter products from the same system. A Class 4 field with standard ridge cap leaves the ridge, the most exposed part of the roof, as the weak point.
Upgrading during an insurance claim: how the paperwork works
Upgrading to Class 4 during a hail claim is common and straightforward:
- Your adjuster’s estimate covers replacement with like kind and quality, usually standard architectural shingles.
- Our quote shows two figures: the insurer’s scope, and the extra cost of the Class 4 upgrade.
- You pay your deductible plus the upgrade difference. The insurer pays its scope as normal.
- When the job is done, we give you the invoice and the product’s Class 4 listing to send to your broker for any premium discount.
The upgrade must be shown openly on the contract. It should never be hidden inside the insurance estimate.
Which Calgary homes benefit most
- Northeast and northwest Calgary, where many homes have been re-roofed after both the 2020 and 2024 storms
- Airdrie, Strathmore and Chestermere, on open terrain where wind-driven hail hits harder
- Homes you plan to keep for seven years or more, long enough to benefit from fewer claims and any premium discount
- Two-storey homes with large west-facing slopes, which take the brunt of most storms
Get a side-by-side quote: use the form on this page or call [403-XXX-XXXX].