The short answer
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are the highest UL 2218 tier and typically cost 15 to 25 percent more than standard architectural. Many Texas carriers offer a premium discount for them, often in the 10 to 30 percent range on the wind and hail portion, which in an active hail county can recover the difference within several years.
Side by side
| Factor | Standard architectural | Class 4 impact rated |
|---|---|---|
| Impact rating | Usually Class 3 or unrated | Class 4, highest tier |
| Cost premium | Baseline | About 15 to 25 percent more |
| Insurance discount | None | Commonly offered in Texas |
| Hail performance | Bruises and loses granules | Resists cracking and mat fracture |
| Typical life here | 20 to 25 years | Often longer in hail areas |
| Appearance | Standard | Essentially identical |
Choose Standard architectural if
- You are in a low hail area, which does not really describe the Hill Country
- You are selling within a year or two
- Your carrier offers no discount and you have confirmed that directly
Choose Class 4 impact rated if
- You are in Kendall, Comal, Kerr or northern Bexar county
- You have already filed one hail claim on this house
- You plan to stay more than about five years
- Your carrier offers a wind and hail discount, which is worth one phone call to confirm
- You want to reduce the chance of repeat claims affecting your renewal
What this looks like in the Hill Country
Kerr County and the Boerne to Bulverde corridor are among the most hail active areas we work. Homeowners there frequently file twice in a decade. Class 4 does not make a roof hail proof, and severe hail can still mark it cosmetically, but it substantially reduces the mat fracture that ends a roof's life early.
