Fort Worth roofs take a beating. Tarrant County logged more NOAA hail reports from 2015 through 2025 than any other county in Texas, and Texas recorded 902 major hail events in 2025, more than any other state, according to the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. If you are replacing your roof anyway, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are one of the smartest upgrades you can make. Salter Exteriors has installed roofs across Fort Worth and North Texas since 2014, and we offer free inspections to help you decide whether Class 4 is right for your home.
What makes a shingle "Class 4"?
A Class 4 shingle survived two hits in the same spot from a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without cracking, the top rating under the UL 2218 impact test.
Class 4 is the highest rating under UL 2218, the Standard for Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials, developed by Underwriters Laboratories with the Institute for Business & Home Safety in 1996. The test drops steel balls onto roofing samples at their weakest points, including edges, corners and joints:
- Class 1: 1.25-inch steel ball
- Class 2: 1.5-inch steel ball
- Class 3: 1.75-inch steel ball
- Class 4: 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet
To earn Class 4, the shingle is hit twice in the same spot and must show no tearing, fracturing, cracking, splitting or other opening on the front, back or underlying layers. A 2-inch ball is roughly hen-egg-size hail, which falls in Tarrant County more often than most people realize.
One honest note: UL 2218 is a lab test on new material. It does not measure cosmetic granule loss, wind-driven hail or an aging roof, and no shingle is hail-proof. Class 4 shingles are built to resist the cracks and punctures that turn a hailstorm into a leak.
Why do Class 4 shingles matter in Fort Worth?
Because Tarrant County gets more large hail than any other Texas county, and Class 4 shingles are built to resist the cracks and punctures hail causes.
North Texas sits in the heart of hail country. According to NOAA Storm Events data, Tarrant County recorded 482 hail reports from 2015 to 2025, including 59 reports of hail 2 inches or larger. Nearly 9 in 10 Texas hail reports come between March and June. In April 2021 a single storm over north Fort Worth and Keller produced about 32,000 claims and a projected $400 million in insured losses, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
That history is why we recommend Class 4 for many homes in Fort Worth, Keller, Saginaw, Haltom City, Benbrook and the rest of our service area, especially:
- Homes that have already had one or more hail claims
- Owners who plan to stay in the home for years
- Homes with older trees and exposed slopes facing west, where storms usually arrive
- Owners who want to reduce the chance of another insurance claim and deductible
Will a Class 4 roof lower my insurance premium in Texas?
Often, yes. Many Texas insurers give a premium credit for impact-resistant roofs, but each company sets its own amount, so ask your agent for your exact credit.
Many Texas homeowners insurance companies give a premium credit for impact-resistant roofing, and Class 4 is the top impact rating insurers look for. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) states that the amount of the discount is set by each insurance company, along with the paperwork they require. TDI has also encouraged insurers to offer meaningful discounts for loss-mitigation upgrades like impact-resistant roofing.
Rates vary by company, policy, ZIP code and the part of the premium the credit applies to, so ask your agent for the exact percentage before you choose a shingle. Good questions to ask:
- Do you give a credit for a UL 2218 Class 4 roof, and how much is it on my policy?
- Does the credit apply to my whole premium or only part of it?
- What paperwork do you need: TDI form PC068, a manufacturer label photo, or your own form?
- Will installing Class 4 change my deductible or cosmetic-damage coverage?
When we install a Class 4 roof, we give you a completed TDI Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form (PC068) and photos of the product labels so you can send them straight to your agent.
Is a Class 4 roof worth the project total?
It is worth it for many Fort Worth homeowners who plan to stay several years and get a meaningful insurance credit; we price both options so you can decide.
Class 4 shingles usually add to the project total compared with standard architectural shingles. Whether that pays off depends on your insurance credit, how long you plan to stay, and how often your area sees hail. We lay out both options side by side in a detailed estimate for your property, so you can compare them with your agent's discount quote. If a standard architectural shingle is the budget-friendly option that fits your plans better, we will tell you that too.
Have hail damage now? See our signs of hail damage on a Fort Worth roof and our Texas roof insurance claim guide. Not sure if you need a new roof at all? Read roof repair vs. replacement in Fort Worth. Sometimes essential roof repairs are all a roof needs.
How does Salter Exteriors install a Class 4 roof?
We inspect for free, price Class 4 and standard options side by side, install to manufacturer specs, and hand you the PC068 form for your insurer.
- Free inspection. We check your roof, decking and ventilation and document everything with photos.
- Detailed estimate for your property. Class 4 and standard options, with the project total for each.
- Insurance support. If storm damage is involved, we document it and can meet your adjuster to point out the damage. Your claim decisions stay between you and your insurer.
- Full installation. Tear-off, new underlayment, flashing, drip edge and ventilation, installed to manufacturer specs. See our roof replacement service.
- Paperwork for your discount. Completed PC068 form and label photos for your insurance company.
We've served Fort Worth and North Texas since 2014. Want a free inspection? Call or text 972-246-7448, or request a free inspection, and let's get your project scheduled.
Thanks for reading,
Aaron
Are Class 4 shingles hail-proof?
No shingle is hail-proof. Class 4 means the shingle passed the UL 2218 test without cracking after two hits from a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet. It is the highest impact rating available, but very large or wind-driven hail can still cause damage.
How much will I save on insurance with a Class 4 roof in Texas?
It depends on your insurance company. The Texas Department of Insurance says each insurer sets its own discount amount and paperwork. Ask your agent for the exact credit on your policy before you choose a shingle.
What paperwork do I need for the discount?
Most insurers accept the TDI Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form (PC068), and some require their own form or label photos. We give you a completed PC068 and photos of the product labels after installation.
Can Class 4 shingles be used on an insurance claim roof replacement?
Yes. If your claim covers a replacement, you can usually upgrade to Class 4 and pay the difference in the project total. We spell out both options in a detailed estimate for your property.
Do you offer free inspections in Fort Worth?
Yes. Salter Exteriors offers free roof inspections across Fort Worth and North Texas. Call or text 972-246-7448 to schedule.