Why we don't install basic shingles
Lots of roofers carry a "good, better, best" shingle lineup, and the "good" option is usually a shingle with no impact rating. In Wise, Parker, Jack and Montague counties that's a gamble. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 40 reports of golf-ball-size (1.75-inch) or larger hail in Wise County alone between 2016 and mid-2026. So our starting point is a shingle tested under UL 2218 to Class 3 or higher.
What the UL 2218 classes mean
UL 2218 tests roof coverings by dropping steel balls of increasing size onto the same spot. A product earns a class when it doesn't crack through:
| Class | Steel ball used in the test | What we install |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1¼ inch | Never |
| Class 2 | 1½ inch | Never |
| Class 3 | 1¾ inch | Our minimum on every shingle roof |
| Class 4 | 2 inch | Available on any job, and our usual recommendation if you want the insurance credit |
A rating describes how a product performed in the lab. It doesn't make any roof hail-proof, and very large hail can still damage a Class 4 roof.
Insurance credits: what's true in Texas
Texas insurers can give a premium credit for roof coverings rated under UL 2218. The Texas Department of Insurance says the amount varies by company, and Class 4 generally earns the largest credit. We can't promise any discount, and we don't promise one for Class 3. Call your insurer before you choose. When we install a qualifying roof, we fill out TDI Form PC068 for you to send them.
Our shingle options
Class 4 impact-resistant
The top UL 2218 rating, and usually the one insurers credit most.
Class 4 shingles → Curb appealDesigner & luxury
Thicker, dimensional shingles with more depth and shadow lines, all impact-rated.
Designer shingles → The look for lessSlate- & shake-look
The look of slate or cedar shake, but lighter and easier to maintain.
Slate & shake look → BrandAtlas shingles
Pinnacle Pristine and Class 4 StormMaster Shake and Slate.
Atlas → PremiumSynthetic shake & slate
Enviroshake, synthetic slate and other composite roofs.
Synthetic roofing →Shop by brand
Certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand. Designer: all designer lines, Grand Manor, Presidential Shake, Belmont, GAF Designer, Grand Sequoia, Camelot II, Berkshire & Woodmoor, Malarkey Windsor. Architectural: GAF Timberline, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark, Malarkey Vista & Legacy, TAMKO, IKO, Atlas. Impact: Class 3 and Class 4.
Shingles or metal?
Lots of our customers weigh a Class 4 shingle roof against a metal roof. We install both, so we can lay out the tradeoffs without pushing either one. Comparing brands? See the best Class 4 shingles for Texas and the Texas insurance discount guide. Read our honest comparison of metal and Class 4 shingles for North Texas, or see our metal roofing options.
Manufacturers we're certified with
We're certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand. When you get a quote, we'll tell you which manufacturer warranty comes with your roof and put it in writing. We never promise a warranty that our certification level doesn't allow.
Residential warranty: a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job, with manufacturer warranties up to lifetime. Manufacturer coverage depends on the product and brand, and on the project qualifying for that manufacturer's program. We put the exact warranty for your roof in writing.
