Unified Steel and hail protection

By Robin Anderson, Westlake Royal Building Products.

Homeowner chooses Very Severe Hail rated roof after hailstorm.

Hail often accompanies thunderstorms, which are becoming a common hazard in the United States. Hailstones are solid ice balls, which form when raindrops are carried by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. Hailstones also increase in size as they collide with liquid water drops, which freeze onto the surface. How fast hail falls toward the ground depends on the size of the ice balls, friction between the hail and the surrounding air, and the degree at which the hail melts.

Many regions across the country experience hail, however Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming are the states that get the most. The area where they intersect, “hail alley,” averages seven to nine hail days per year.ⁱ 

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.ⁱⁱ 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.ⁱⁱⁱ

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.^_iv  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.^v

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® steelvi 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 benefitting 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.^vii

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 Zick.

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. 

About Robin Anderson

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.