Class 4 Hail-Resistant Shingles: Do You Actually Need Them in Colorado?

What are Class 4 Shingles? And do you need them in Colorado? Class 4 is the highest hail resistance rating available for asphalt shingles. Most Colorado homeowners don’t realize that roof shingles come in different levels of hail resistance. In this video, Patrick Knackendoffel of WestPro Home Exteriors explains what a Class 4 impact resistant shingle actually is, why it matters on the Front Range where hail hits nearly every year, and whether it is worth the upgrade for your home. Class 4 is the highest hail resistance rating available for asphalt shingles. It means the shingle passed the UL 2218 test, where a steel ball is dropped onto it to simulate hail. A standard shingle does not pass that test. We compare two shingles we install all the time: GAF Timberline Natural Shadow, a quality standard shingle that is not Class 4, and GAF ArmorShield II, our most recommended Class 4 shingle. The best performing Class 4 shingles are SBS modified, meaning a synthetic rubber is mixed into the asphalt for flexibility and durability. ArmorShield II is SBS modified. Patrick shares a real story from the 2023 hailstorm that hit Erie, Frederick, Firestone, Longmont, and the surrounding northern Front Range. A homeowner with a rental in Frederick spent roughly a $2,000 upgrade to go Class 4. After the storm, every neighboring roof was damaged and hers had not a single impact through the shingle. With a $5,000 deductible she never had to file, she came out thousands ahead. On insurance: historically carriers like Farmers, State Farm, Allstate, and USAA offered Class 4 discounts, but those incentives are changing in 2026. With deductibles now often $5,000 to $8,000, the bigger payoff is often avoiding the next deductible entirely, not the premium discount. Cities that currently require Class 4 by code include Fort Collins, Lafayette, Loveland, and unincorporated Boulder County. Areas like Denver, Northglenn, Westminster, and Thornton do not currently require it, but codes change constantly, so always confirm with your local building department rather than relying on this video. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 What Is an Impact-Resistant Shingle? 0:57 Standard vs Class 4: The Two Shingles Compared 1:30 A Real 2023 Hailstorm Story (Frederick, CO) 3:46 Why Class 4 Shingles Matter on the Front Range 4:03 The UL 2218 Test and SBS Modified Shingles 4:42 Class 4 and Insurance: Discounts vs Deductibles 5:53 Colorado Cities Where Class 4 Is Required by Code Want to see a Class 4 impact test? We drop a steel ball from 20 feet onto these shingles in a separate video, linked here. Hail Impact Test:    • Class 4 Shingles vs Hail Test | The Result...   Free Inspection: www.westprooroofing.com WestPro Home Exteriors is a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor based in Longmont, CO, serving Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, and the entire Front Range. Subscribe for straight answers on roofing, siding, and windows in Colorado.