Shingle brands: impact resistance, storm ratings & insurance relevance
Research-based guide to which asphalt shingle brands offer Class 4 / UL 2218 impact-resistant products, how wind and hail ratings differ across tiers, and how choosing a storm-rated shingle can affect your insurance premium or claim outcome. We source from manufacturer technical data sheets, warranty documents, and ICC-ES evaluation reports. We do not independently test shingles; every claim on these pages cites the manufacturer or a third-party certifier so you can verify it yourself.
How the tiers work and why impact resistance matters
Every major residential asphalt shingle manufacturer offers three rough tiers of product. Good is the entry 3-tab or basic architectural: lowest cost per square, shortest warranty, thinnest mat, and no impact rating. Better is the core architectural line, the shingle on most residential quotes and the standard replacement after storm damage. Best splits into a thicker dimensional shingle or a luxury/designer shingle that imitates wood shake or slate. Critically for storm-affected homeowners, some brands offer a separate UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistant shingle that earns a meaningful insurance premium discount in many hail-prone states, and reduces future claim frequency.
The tier name on marketing pages does not always match real-world storm performance. A “premium” designer shingle is priced for appearance; it does not necessarily carry a stronger wind rating or a Class 4 impact rating. Where this gap exists we flag it explicitly on the brand page so you can separate the aesthetic upgrade from the storm-protection upgrade, a distinction that matters when you are filing a claim or choosing a replacement product.
Brands we’ve researched
We are building this library one brand at a time, starting with the largest U.S. asphalt shingle manufacturers by market share. Each brand page covers the product line’s impact ratings, wind ratings, Class 4 availability, insurance discount eligibility, warranty fine print, and honest concerns, so you can make an informed choice when selecting a replacement product after storm damage.
- CertainTeed6 tiers covered
- GAF4 tiers covered
- IKO7 tiers covered
- Malarkey5 tiers covered
- Owens Corning6 tiers covered
- TAMKO4 tiers covered
Future additions planned: Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey, IKO, and TAMKO. Brand inclusion here does not imply endorsement.
Research, not product reviews
These brand pages are an editorial summary of publicly available manufacturer documentation, warranty language, and third-party certification records. They are not product reviews; we have not installed, weathered, or stress-tested any of these shingles on a real roof. For actual installation decisions, pair this research with a local licensed contractor who has hands-on experience with the specific product in your metro and your climate.
We do not accept payment from any shingle manufacturer to include, exclude, or rank their products. See our editorial standards for the full disclosure.
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