CLASS 4 & UL 2218 · COLUMBIA & ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA
Impact-Resistant Shingles in Columbia, SC
South Carolina’s Midlands take a beating from spring and summer hailstorms. Class 4, UL 2218 impact-resistant shingles are built to shrug off that hail — and in many cases they can earn a discount on your homeowners insurance. 247 Roofs installs them across Columbia and the rest of the state, with an honest recommendation on whether they make sense for your home.
What the Rating Actually Means
Class 4 and UL 2218 Impact-Resistant Shingles, Explained
Not all shingles hold up to hail the same way. Impact resistance is graded by a standard called UL 2218, in which a steel ball is dropped onto the shingle from set heights to see whether the mat cracks or splits on the back side. The results are graded Class 1 through Class 4 — and Class 4 is the highest, most impact-resistant rating a shingle can carry. In the UL 2218 test, a Class 4 shingle must withstand a two-inch steel ball dropped from about 20 feet without the mat fracturing.
In plain terms, a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle is engineered to absorb a hail strike that would bruise, crack, or knock the granules off an ordinary architectural shingle. That matters in South Carolina’s Midlands, where Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Sumter, and the surrounding Pee Dee towns sit in an active spring-and-summer storm corridor. Hail rarely leaves an obvious hole — instead it bruises the mat and strips protective granules, quietly shortening a roof’s life. A Class 4 shingle is designed to take those hits and keep protecting your home.
Built to Take a Hit
How Impact-Resistant Shingles Stand Up to Hail
Reinforced Mat
A tougher, more flexible fiberglass or polymer-modified mat lets the shingle flex under a hail strike instead of cracking through.
SBS Rubberized Asphalt
Many Class 4 shingles use SBS (rubberized) modified asphalt that absorbs impact energy, much like a car bumper, and returns to shape.
Granule Retention
Because the mat resists bruising, it holds its granules better after a storm — and granules are what shield the asphalt from the sun.
The result is a roof that is far less likely to be dented, split, or prematurely aged by a typical Midlands hailstorm. It is important to be honest, though: impact-resistant does not mean hail-proof. A severe storm with large stones can still damage any roof. What Class 4 shingles buy you is a much wider margin — the everyday hail that ruins a standard roof often leaves a Class 4 roof intact. If a storm does hit, our team can document the damage and walk you through our insurance claims help.
The Insurance Angle
Class 4 Shingles and Your Homeowners Premium
Here is the part homeowners ask about most. Many South Carolina insurers offer a premium discount for roofs built with UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistant shingles — because a hail-resistant roof means fewer and smaller claims for them. The discount is real, but it is not automatic and not guaranteed, and the amount varies widely from one carrier to the next.
Our honest advice: confirm the discount with your own carrier before you count on it. Ask your agent whether they offer an impact-resistant-roof or Class 4 credit, what documentation they need, and how much you would save. When we install a Class 4 roof, we give you the product paperwork — the manufacturer certificate showing the UL 2218 Class 4 rating — which is usually exactly what an insurer wants to apply the credit.
Cost vs. Payback
Do Impact-Resistant Shingles Pay for Themselves?
Class 4 shingles typically add a premium over standard architectural shingles — often on the order of 10–25% more on the materials, depending on the product and your roof. On a typical South Carolina asphalt replacement (roughly $8,000–$18,000), that is a meaningful but not enormous upgrade.
Where it pays back is over time:
- Insurance savings — a yearly premium discount, if your carrier offers one, chips away at the upfront premium every year.
- Fewer repairs & claims — hail that would damage a standard roof often leaves a Class 4 roof alone, so you file fewer claims and avoid deductible after deductible.
- Longer roof life — less granule loss and bruising means the roof reaches its full lifespan instead of aging out early.
Is It Right for Your Home?
When Impact-Resistant Shingles Make Sense in South Carolina
Class 4 shingles are not the only smart choice for every roof, but they are an easy call in a few common situations. They make the most sense if you live in the Midlands or Upstate hail corridor, if you have already had one hail claim and want to stop the cycle, if your insurer offers a solid Class 4 discount, or if you simply plan to stay in the home long enough to enjoy the lower premiums and longer roof life. They are available in the same architectural-shingle looks and colors as a standard roof, so you are not trading appearance for toughness.
If your home sits on the coast, where wind and salt air are the bigger threats, a wind-rated system or metal roof replacement may be the better fit — and we will tell you so. The honest answer is that the right upgrade depends on your roof, your location, and your budget. Compare a Class 4 upgrade against a standard asphalt shingle roof during your estimate, and we will lay out the real numbers for your specific home — no pressure, no hard sell.
Impact-Resistant Shingle FAQ
Class 4 Shingle Questions, Answered
What is a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle?
Class 4 is the highest impact rating under the UL 2218 standard, in which a steel ball is dropped onto the shingle to test whether the mat cracks. A Class 4 shingle survives a two-inch ball from about 20 feet without fracturing — making it the most hail-resistant asphalt shingle you can buy.
Will Class 4 shingles lower my insurance in South Carolina?
Often, yes. Many South Carolina insurers offer a discount for UL 2218 Class 4 roofs, but it is not guaranteed and the amount varies by carrier — so confirm it with your own insurer before you count on it. We provide the manufacturer certificate showing the Class 4 rating, which is usually what they need to apply the credit.
Are impact-resistant shingles hail-proof?
No roof is truly hail-proof. Class 4 shingles are built to resist the hail that damages ordinary roofs, but a severe storm with very large stones can still cause damage. If that happens, we document it and help you through your insurance claim.
How much more do Class 4 shingles cost?
They typically add a premium over standard architectural shingles — often in the range of 10–25% on materials, depending on the product and roof. A yearly insurance discount, if your carrier offers one, plus fewer storm claims and longer roof life, help offset that upfront cost over time.
Do you install Class 4 shingles around Columbia?
Yes. We install UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistant shingles across Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Sumter, and throughout South Carolina. Call (980) 209-1666 or request a free estimate and we will help you compare your options.
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Ready for a Roof Built to Beat the Hail?
Ask us about Class 4 impact-resistant shingles and whether they make sense for your Columbia-area home.