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Impact Resistant Shingles
My home was hit by a January hailstorm and my wife and I are now in the process of replacing the roof. I have been weighing the choice of upgrading to an IR (impact resistant) shingle. I also received a call from a customer who wanted to verify that their shingle was IR (impact resistant) so she could take advantage of a premium discount with her insurance carrier. I thought it would be good to share some of the details of these discussions for your benefit. This article details asphalt shingles only.
- The average roof lasts about 20 years before needing repair or replacement. An insurance adjuster may tell you (mine did) the average life of a roof is 12 years in the Midwest due to hail. Coincidentally, our roof has been replaced due to damage from hailstorms twice in 13 years.
- A manufacturer warranty typically covers only leaks or manufacturer defects. Your shingle manufacturer may have a 100% replacement up to a certain point (10 -15 years for example) and then is prorated until the end of the warranty. Don't expect the warranty to replace your roof in the event of hailstorm and/or "acts of God."
- IR (impact resistant) shingles can cost up to $1,000-$5000 over a traditional roof, but can resist the impact of hailstones between 1 1/4 inch to 2 inch. IR shingles typically have a longer lifespan than a standard shingle.
- Some insurance companies will provide discounts on your annual premiums if you meet certain criteria. For instance, class 3 or 4 IR shingle is often eligible for a discount. Documentation is required of the actual product, manufacturer and year of installation. Look for more information from your insurance carrier.
- If you accept the premium discount with IR resistant shingles you will likely be asked to sign a waiver from the insurance company that you will not pursue them for a new roof if the IR shingle is hailed on. IR shingles are designed to have a little bit of ceramic granules knocked off without decreasing life of the shingle. So, keeping all the proper documents is critical for you if you plan to sell your home in the future. In the end, it will take around 10-15 years for premium discounts to pay off the cost of an IR shingle upgrade.
- It is up to the buyer to determine if the benefits outway the costs of installing an IR shingle roof.
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Learn more about Hank Darnell: Home Inspector
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Hank Darnell Home Inspections, LLC is here to serve your home inspection needs. I am an InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector, Kansas Radon/Termite Inspector, and have a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing/Management from Baker University. I have over 20 plus years of experience in construction including plumbing, electrical, framing, foundations and roofing. My background in business, marketing, management, construction and home inspections gives me the unique perspective and skill sets to not only understand how important being thoroughly informed about a real estate purchase is, but the ability to provide this information in a concise easy to understand way. Reports include 50 to 100 color photographs and are provided within 24-hours of inspection. Flexible schedule with weekend appointments available.
Thank you for your business,
Hank Darnell
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