Anyone have experience with shingles that hold up against hail?

Sometimes I wonder if full replacement is less headache in the long run, but budgets don’t always allow it.

Honestly, I’ve had the same thought after dealing with a couple roofs post-hail. Patch jobs seem cheaper up front, but then you’re back at it after the next storm. Last year, I had to manage three different insurance adjusters for one property - each had a different opinion on “wear and tear.” Anyone else notice that? I’m starting to think impact-resistant shingles might pay off, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

I’m right there with you on the insurance adjusters - feels like a game of “pick your favorite answer.” I ended up patching after our first hailstorm, but honestly, it was just a band-aid. My neighbor went with those impact-resistant shingles and hasn’t had to touch his roof since... makes me wonder if I cheaped out.

- Definitely agree, patching after hail is usually just a stopgap - seen that a lot with our properties.
- Impact-resistant shingles do seem to hold up better, especially in hail-prone areas. I’ve tracked repair requests and the difference is noticeable.
- Initial cost is higher, but fewer claims and less hassle long-term. Insurance premiums can sometimes drop, but not always.
- Some brands hold up better than others - worth checking the UL 2218 rating if you’re comparing.
- If you’re planning to stay put, the upgrade often pays for itself, but if you’re moving soon… might not be worth it.

Had a customer last year who went with the “impact-resistant” shingles after two hailstorms in three years. The install was a pain (those things are heavier than they look), but a couple months later we got another round of golf ball hail. Their roof barely had a scratch, while the neighbor’s regular shingles looked like Swiss cheese. Not cheap, but honestly, I’d take the extra weight over patching every spring. Only thing is, the insurance premium didn’t budge for them, which was a bit of a letdown. Guess it depends on the company...

Yeah, those impact shingles are a beast to haul up a ladder, but man, they do the job when hail comes knocking. I hear you on the insurance thing - sometimes feels like you just can’t win with those folks. Still beats re-roofing every couple years though.