UL 2218 impact ratings, explained
Class 4 Metal Roof Options for Texas Hail Country
A Class 4 metal roof can lower your premium and cut storm repairs in Texas, but only when the right product is installed and documented. Here is what the rating means, which Permanent Metal Roofing Systems systems carry one, and how insurers treat it.
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Class 4 at a glance
- Hail rating UL 2218 Class 4: 2-inch steel ball, 20-foot drop, no crack or split
- Rated systems EDCO ArrowLine and Generations HD; DECRA lines; Classic and standing seam per tested listing
- Gauge 24-gauge steel, about 28 percent more than 26-gauge, is our baseline
- Insurance credit Each insurer sets its own, reported at roughly 5 to 35 percent
- Dents A Class 4 roof can still dent; check your policy for a cosmetic exclusion
- Documents Product listing, UL certificate or maker letter, invoice, label photos, installation certificate
What does UL 2218 Class 4 mean on a metal roof?
UL 2218 is the impact standard Texas insurers lean on for roof coverings. Lab technicians drop steel balls of increasing size onto the roofing and grade it from Class 1 to Class 4. To earn Class 4, the top grade, a sample has to take a 2-inch ball falling 20 feet and come away with no crack, split or rupture.
Notice what the test measures. It looks for openings that would let water in; it does not grade dents. A Class 4 metal roof can still dent in a severe storm, which is why the cosmetic damage question further down matters so much here.
Around Dallas-Fort Worth, hail shows up nearly every spring. NICB and Verisk analysis has put Texas first in the nation for major hail events eleven years running, and during 2025 alone, hailstones at least 2 inches across hit upward of 235,000 homes statewide.
The rating belongs to a specific product or tested assembly, not to metal in general. Gauge, panel profile, substrate and the deck underneath all change the result, so we confirm the listing for your exact specification before you count on it.
Which PMRS roof systems carry Class 4 ratings?
Several product lines we install carry Class 4 ratings published by their makers, and our standing seam can be specified to match a tested assembly. The table shows who stands behind each rating.
| System | Material | Who publishes the rating | Class 4 status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDCO ArrowLine Shake | Steel | EDCO | EDCO rates ArrowLine UL 2218 Class 4 | EDCO also lists wind testing to 160 mph |
| EDCO Generations HD | Steel | EDCO | EDCO rates it UL 2218 Class 4 | Cedar-shake look with a PVDF finish |
| DECRA Shake, Shake XD, Shingle XD, Tile and Villa Tile | Stone-coated steel | DECRA | DECRA publishes Class 4 ratings for its lines | Granule texture hides hail marks |
| Classic Country Manor Shake, Oxford, Rustic, Slate Rock Oxford and Grandetile | Aluminum | Classic Metal Roofing Systems | Rated by Classic; confirm per product | Light weight, and aluminum will not rust |
| PMRS snap lock and mechanical lock standing seam | Steel, aluminum, copper, zinc | Depends on the tested assembly | Available when panel, gauge and deck match a tested listing | We confirm the paperwork before you sign |
| PBR, 7.2 rib and corrugated | Steel | Panel or coil supplier | Varies by profile and gauge | Common on shops and barns |
Makers update their listings, so ask us for the current certificate for your product and color before you file anything with your insurer.
Will hail still dent a Class 4 metal roof?
It can. Hail heavy enough to dent steel will do it on any roof, rated or not. The difference is that a Class 4 roof is far less likely to crack, split or leak, so most marks it picks up are cosmetic rather than functional.
Cosmetic vs. functional damage
Cosmetic damage changes the roof’s appearance but leaves it watertight and doing its job. Functional damage does let water in: punctured panels, split seams, broken fasteners, torn sealant or flashing bent open. Insurers treat the two very differently.
The cosmetic exclusion in Texas policies
Back in 1998, TDI approved an optional endorsement that drops coverage for cosmetic hail damage on policies that get an impact-resistant roof credit. Many carriers now use their own, broader cosmetic exclusions. Check whether your policy has one, and ask your agent how much the premium changes without it.
Texas courts have not agreed on how far these exclusions reach, so outcomes vary. Nothing on this page is legal or insurance advice; your policy wording controls.
Which gauge and finish resist hail best?
Thicker metal and surfaces that hide marks resist hail best. For standing seam on a house, 24-gauge steel is our baseline.
| Option | Thickness or surface | Hail behavior | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-gauge steel | About 0.018 inch | Dents more easily, though some assemblies carry ratings | Budget roofs, porches, outbuildings |
| 24-gauge steel | About 0.023 inch, roughly 28 percent more steel | Our standard for homes facing hail | Most DFW houses |
| 22-gauge steel | Heavier still | The stiffest steel we form, at a higher cost | Commercial and high-exposure roofs |
| .032 or .040 aluminum | Softer metal | Will not rust, but dents show sooner than on steel | Architectural and modern designs |
| Stone-coated steel | Granule surface | Texture disguises small dents well | HOA streets and traditional homes |
| Striated or low-gloss panels | Pencil ribs or matte finish | Shallow dents are harder to see | Any standing seam roof |
Gauge also fights oil canning, the waviness some flat panels show in low sun. Our 24 vs. 26 gauge guide covers the tradeoffs in detail.
How do Texas insurance credits for Class 4 roofs work?
Per the Texas Department of Insurance, a roof has to pass UL 2218 to qualify for an impact-resistant credit, and Class 4 qualifies for the biggest one. TDI does not set the amount; every insurer chooses its own credit and the documents it will accept.
Credits reported in 2025 and 2026 run from roughly 5 to 35 percent off the wind and hail share of the premium, which is a big slice of a typical DFW homeowners bill. We never promise a discount, so get your carrier’s figure before you pick a product.
Insurers have good reason to care. Industry studies have found that homes with impact-resistant roofs file roughly 40 percent fewer hail claims and see about 55 percent lower losses, and in 2025 one carrier, State Farm, processed roughly 95,200 hail claims in Texas.
Read TDI’s own roofing discount guidance, then our guide to Texas insurance discounts for impact-resistant roofs.
What documents does your insurer need?
Most carriers want proof of what went on the house, who installed it and when. We provide the documents that come from us and help you collect the rest.
- The product name, maker and impact class from the published listing
- The UL certificate or a letter from the maker for that product
- An invoice listing the product, the address and the installation date
- Photos of product labels or packaging taken during the job
- A signed installation certificate from the contractor
- The permit or final inspection record, where your city issues one
Homes on the coast insured through TWIA need TDI form PC068 and labeled products. Inland carriers use their own forms, so ask which ones they want before the roof goes on.
How can you tell a storm chaser from a local roofer?
Be cautious with anyone who appears uninvited after a storm and presses you to sign the same day. Texas Attorney General warnings point to traveling crews, leftover-materials offers and requests for cash in advance.
- Collect more than one written estimate, and let your adjuster inspect before you sign
- Keep your insurance check in your own name; never endorse it over to a roofer
- Do not pay the full price before the work is finished
- Check that the company has a real local office and any city registration your city requires
- Remember there is no state roofing license in Texas, so the word “licensed” proves little
- A contract signed at your door can usually be canceled within three business days
Suspected roofing scams can be reported to the Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at 800-621-0508. Our Mesquite office is glad to take your call before you sign anything with anyone.
Can a roofer waive or pay your deductible in Texas?
No. House Bill 2102, in effect since September 1, 2019, makes it illegal for a contractor to cover, forgive or refund any part of a homeowner’s insurance deductible. Doing it is a Class B misdemeanor that can bring a fine and up to 180 days in jail.
Texas roofing contracts must include a bold notice that the owner is responsible for the deductible, and insurers can ask for proof that it was paid. PMRS does not waive or absorb deductibles, and any roofer who offers to is breaking the law.
Budget for the deductible early. Texas wind and hail deductibles usually run 1 to 5 percent of dwelling coverage, and 2 percent has become common in North Texas, which means 2 percent of your dwelling limit comes out of pocket on every claim. A roof that avoids repeat claims protects that money.
What sets the cost of a Class 4 metal roof?
The product line drives the cost more than anything else, and your exact price arrives as a free, written, itemized estimate after we measure. Main factors:
- The system: standing seam, EDCO or Classic metal shingles, or DECRA stone-coated steel
- Gauge, for example 24-gauge steel instead of 26-gauge
- Finish, from standard PVDF colors to textured or stone-coated surfaces
- Roof size, pitch, and the number of hips, valleys and penetrations
- Tear-off layers and any deck repairs
The impact-rating paperwork for your insurer comes with the job at no extra charge. For a closer look at each factor, see the metal roof cost guide.
Standing seam, stone-coated steel or metal shingles: which Class 4 route fits?
Choose standing seam for the longest-lived, cleanest roof if you can accept possible cosmetic dents. Choose stone-coated steel such as DECRA Shake when hiding hail marks matters most.
Choose a metal shingle such as EDCO ArrowLine Shake when your HOA wants a traditional look. Still undecided? Compare the two leading options in stone-coated steel vs. standing seam.
Class 4 metal roof questions
Does every metal roof carry a Class 4 rating?
No. The rating belongs to a tested product or assembly. Many metal shingles, stone-coated lines and some standing seam assemblies hold UL 2218 Class 4 listings, but gauge, profile and deck all matter, so always ask for the listing for your exact product.
How much is the Class 4 insurance discount in Texas?
There is no fixed amount. TDI leaves the credit to each insurer, and credits reported in 2025 and 2026 run from roughly 5 to 35 percent off the wind and hail share of the premium. Ask your carrier for its figure before you buy.
Does a Class 4 roof mean I will never file a hail claim?
No roof is immune to hail. A Class 4 roof is much less likely to crack or leak, and industry research ties impact-resistant roofs to roughly 40 percent fewer hail claims, but severe hail can still dent metal or bend flashing and vents.
What is a cosmetic damage exclusion?
It is a policy endorsement that takes away coverage for hail marks that only affect appearance and do not let water in. Texas carriers often attach one to policies with an impact-resistant roof credit, so read your policy and ask your agent before you choose a roof.
Is 26-gauge metal roofing good enough for hail?
It can be, and some 26-gauge assemblies carry Class 4 listings. Still, 24-gauge steel has about 28 percent more thickness and resists denting better, which is why it is our standard for houses in hail-prone DFW.
Do I need to tell my insurer about a new metal roof?
Yes. Send your agent the product name, impact class, invoice and installation date as soon as the roof is finished. The credit usually starts only after the insurer has the documents, and some carriers re-inspect.
Price a Class 4 roof for your home
Tell us about your roof and your insurer. We will recommend a rated product, measure, and send a written estimate that names the exact product and impact class.
Get Your Free Metal Roof Estimate
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Prefer to talk now? Call (469) 466-2421.
Hail season comes every spring. Is your roof ready?
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