Why Newcastle Homeowners Are Choosing Class 4 Impact-Resistant Roofing
If you have lived in Newcastle, Oklahoma, for very long, you already know what an Oklahoma roof has to deal with. One week we can have high winds, the next week severe thunderstorms, and during hail season it only takes a few minutes for a storm to damage a roof that may have looked perfectly fine the day before.
That is one reason more Newcastle homeowners are looking beyond the cheapest standard shingle and asking about Class 4 impact-resistant roofing systems.
At Top View Roofing, we believe the shingle is only one part of a good roof. A roof is a complete system. The shingles, underlayment, valleys, flashing, ventilation, starter shingles, drip edge, ridge caps and installation methods all work together.
That is why our roofing systems are designed to protect the entire home rather than simply make the roof look new from the street.
What Is a Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingle?
A Class 4 shingle has achieved the highest impact-resistance classification under commonly used roofing impact testing.
That does not mean a Class 4 shingle is completely hail-proof. No legitimate roofing contractor should promise that.
What it does mean is that these shingles are manufactured to withstand impact better than many traditional asphalt shingles. In an area such as Newcastle, Moore, Norman and the Oklahoma City metro, where hail is simply part of life, that extra protection can make a tremendous difference.
Homeowners often spend thousands of dollars replacing a roof. If you are already making that investment, it makes sense to consider a roofing material designed for Oklahoma weather.
We Install Malarkey Impact-Resistant Shingles
Top View Roofing is a certified Malarkey roofing applicator, and Malarkey is one of the brands we recommend when homeowners want a high-quality impact-resistant roofing system.
Malarkey shingles are particularly well suited for Oklahoma because they combine impact resistance, flexibility and strong construction with attractive color choices.
Depending on the roofing system selected and applicable manufacturer requirements, working with a certified contractor can also provide access to enhanced manufacturer warranty options.
The important point is that the warranty is only as good as the roof underneath it.
A premium shingle installed over a poorly prepared roof deck is still a poorly installed roof.
That is why our installation process goes much further than simply tearing off the old shingles and putting new ones back.
Synthetic Underlayment Matters
Underneath the shingles is another important layer of protection: the underlayment.
We use synthetic roofing underlayment rather than relying on old-fashioned felt paper as the primary underlayment system.
Synthetic underlayment offers several advantages. It is stronger, more resistant to tearing, handles moisture better and provides an excellent secondary layer of protection underneath the shingles.
Most homeowners never see their underlayment once the roof is completed.
That does not make it unimportant.
Some of the most important parts of your roof are the parts you will never see again after the shingles go down.
That is exactly why homeowners should ask what materials are being installed underneath their shingles before choosing a roofing contractor.
Ice and Water Shield in the Valleys
Roof valleys are some of the hardest-working areas of any roof.
When rain hits your roof, water naturally travels toward the valleys before flowing into the gutters or off the roof. That means valleys handle a tremendous amount of water during an Oklahoma thunderstorm.
At Top View Roofing, we install ice and water shield in the valleys as an additional layer of protection.
Ice and water shield is a self-adhering waterproof membrane that helps protect these vulnerable areas.
You may never see it after your roof is installed, but when wind-driven rain is hitting your home at 50 or 60 miles per hour, you will be glad it is there.
This is one of the biggest differences between a roofing company focused only on getting the job finished cheaply and a roofing company focused on building a roofing system designed to last.
Six Nails Per Shingle
We also use six nails per shingle as part of our roofing installation standards.
That may sound like a small detail, but Oklahoma homeowners know how important wind resistance can be.
Proper nail placement is just as important as the number of nails. Nails must be driven in the proper location and at the proper depth.
Over driven nails, under driven nails or nails placed outside the proper fastening area can all weaken a roofing system.
This is another reason the installation crew matters just as much as the brand name printed on the package.
Proper Starter Shingles and Drip Edge
The edges of your roof take a tremendous beating from Oklahoma winds.
Proper starter shingles help secure the first course of shingles and provide additional protection against wind uplift.
Drip edge helps direct water away from the fascia and into the gutter system instead of allowing moisture to work its way behind the roof edge.
These details are not exciting.
They probably will not appear in the photograph of your finished roof.
But they are exactly the types of details that determine whether your new roof performs correctly ten or fifteen years down the road.
Ventilation Is Part of the Roofing System
A roofing system also needs proper ventilation.
Without adequate attic ventilation, heat and moisture can build up underneath the roof deck.
That can shorten the life of roofing materials and contribute to other problems inside the attic.
Where appropriate, we install ridge ventilation designed to allow hot air to escape while helping the attic breathe properly.
Again, the goal is not simply installing shingles.
The goal is building a complete roofing system.
Can Class 4 Shingles Save Money on Homeowners Insurance?
Some insurance companies offer discounts for qualifying impact-resistant roofing materials.
The amount of savings varies significantly by insurance carrier, policy and home.
Homeowners should always contact their own insurance company and ask whether a Class 4 impact-resistant roofing system qualifies for a premium discount.
We never recommend choosing a roof based solely on a possible insurance discount.
The bigger reason to consider Class 4 roofing is the added protection and durability it can provide in a hail-prone part of the country.
If the insurance savings are available, that is simply another potential benefit.
A Roof Should Be Built for Newcastle, Oklahoma
Roofing in Newcastle is different from roofing in many other parts of the country.
Our roofs have to withstand intense summer heat, sudden temperature changes, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, hail and occasional winter ice.
That is why we believe Newcastle homeowners should think about more than color and price when replacing a roof.
Ask your roofing contractor:
What kind of underlayment are you installing?
Are you installing ice and water shield in the valleys?
How many nails are you using?
Are you installing proper starter shingles?
Is drip edge included?
How are you handling ventilation?
What type of impact-resistant shingles are available?
What warranties are available?
And most importantly, who is actually standing behind the roof after the job is finished?
Local Roofing From People Who Live Here
Top View Roofing is based in Newcastle, Oklahoma, and we work throughout Newcastle and surrounding communities.
We understand Oklahoma weather because we live and work in it too.
We are not a storm-chasing company that arrives after a hailstorm and disappears once the work dries up.
Our goal is to build long-term relationships with homeowners and provide roofing systems that we would be comfortable installing on our own homes.
If your roof has storm damage, is approaching the end of its life, or you are simply considering upgrading to a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle, we would be glad to take a look.
Your roof protects almost everything you own.
It deserves more than the cheapest materials and the fastest installation.
It deserves to be built correctly from the deck up.
