Protecting “hail alley”

By Robin Anderson, Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions.

Learn why Unified Steel is a great option for homeowners and contractors looking to build with hailstorms in mind.

Extreme storms are becoming more common across the United States. With this rise, there is a growing need for durable roofs that can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at them. One of the more common hazards that homeowners and contractors need to be aware of is hail. Hail forms when raindrops in a storm are carried by an updraft into extremely cold parts of the atmosphere. Here, the drops freeze into solid ice balls and then begin to fall back to the ground. As they fall, hailstones can also increase in size. This happens when new raindrops being carried upwards collide with the ice and freeze onto the surface. The speed at which hailstones fall is dependent on many factors, including size of the ice balls, friction with the air and rate at which it melts.  

This is something that those all over need to be aware of, but there is a specific “hail alley” in the United States that see these conditions more frequently. Those that reside in this area, which includes Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, can expect to see up to seven to nine hail days in just one year! For homeowners and contractors in this area, Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions’ Unified Steel® is a very severe hail rated roof. Keep reading to learn what this means in practice!  

Hail frequency and insurance losses

Research indicates hail is becoming a bigger issue. A recent UN science report found that hail season is now starting earlier in the year, while the frequency of larger hailstones is increasing across broad regions of the U.S. Hail two inches in size or greater hit the United States 141 days during 2023 – the highest number of days annually in two full decades. 

Of all types of weather-related damage, hail and wind are now the leading cause of insurance claims, accounting for nearly 40% of homeowner originated claims. Claims are rising as hail events increase in severity and as the human population expands in regions where hailstorms are common, putting more property in harm’s way. The insurance losses are meaningful and, in turn, homeowner policies are becoming more expensive. 

The roof is often the first point of contact for hailstones, which can damage different roofing materials in various ways. What can result are leaks as well as a roof that doesn’t perform its primary purpose and whose lifespan is reduced. Thus, roofing materials that better protect against hail are becoming increasingly important. 

Unified Steel’s very severe hail rating 

Unified Steel® Stone Coated Roofing are roofing panels manufactured from Galvalume® steel then subsequently coated with stone granules applied with acrylic polymer adhesives. A steep slope metal roofing option, Unified Steel is growing in popularity because of its aesthetics, durability and hail resistance, among other benefits. Weighing just 1.5 pounds-per-square-foot, Unified Steel is lightweight, while still benefiting from the strength of steel. It is ideal for both newly built homes, as well as roof retrofits. Unified Steel is notably one of few products in its category that is manufactured in the United States. 

Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing is notably the only product in its class today offering both the Class 4 and Very Severe Hail (VSH) ratings, the latter of which is the highest rating available for steep slope roofing products against hail. To qualify for this prestigious rating, 2.0-inch (50.8 mm) ice balls are shot at the test subject at 53-foot pounds of force. The force is double what is used to certify a product Class 4 and the speed of the ice ball is increased from about 55 mph to approximately 110 mph. VSH certification is contingent on three successful test specimens meeting the acceptable criteria. 

Unified Steel offers one of the most comprehensive, fully transferable roofing warranties in the business today. Coverage includes 120 mph Wind and Class 4 Hail protection. 

A homeowner re-roofs with VSH rated unified steel  

Many homeowners today are faced with the stress and cost of roof repair or replacement after severe hailstorms. One such homeowner in Colorado recently experienced a hailstorm that left the home’s existing asphalt shingle roof in complete disrepair. After choosing local contractor Zick Construction and Roofing to assist in the repair, the homeowner ultimately decided to pick a new roof in a different material altogether – Very Severe Hail rated Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing. 

“Three-inch hail balls had damaged every single asphalt shingle on the owner’s roof, as well as the asphalt roofs of nearby homes,” says Scott Zick, owner of Zick Construction and Roofing. “The stone coated steel roofs in the area had fared much better in the face of the storm and it became obvious to us both that the roof should be replaced with Unified Steel Cottage Shingle in Charcoal. Not only would the material protect against future hail, but its classic shake look and color perfectly complements the home’s architecture, giving the home an elevated look.” 

During the retrofit, the solar system was safely removed and stored. Then the Zick Construction team removed all asphalt before installing ice and water underlayment in eaves and valleys. Next SwiftGuard® Roof Underlayment, a synthetic option for steep slope applications with a patented nail gasketing technology for superior moisture resistance, was applied everywhere else. Finally, the Unified Steel was applied overtop and Sand Box Solar came in to reinstall the photovoltaic system. “The home looks incredible now, is better able to protect against hail and the homeowner couldn’t be happier,” adds Scott. 

Additional weather resistance attributes 

Hail, of course, is not the only weather of concern. Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing also provides meaningful protection from other weather conditions such as ice damming, snow loads, wind uplift and fire. When installed with the proper underlayment and attachment process, it will provide safety, comfort and protection from some of the most severe climate conditions homeowners face. 

Original article and photo source: Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions  

About the Author 

Robin Anderson is technical and strategy development manager with Westlake Royal Building Products/Roofing Solutions, the leader in efficient and durable roofing systems and components. Contact Robin at randerson3@westlake.com, visit www.westlakeroyalroofing.com.