What does Class 3 mean for architectural shingles?
The UL 2218 ladder
In the UL 2218 test, steel balls are dropped onto the same spot twice, and the shingle passes if the back side shows no crack or rupture.
- Class 1: 1.25-inch ball from 12 feet.
- Class 2: 1.5-inch ball from 15 feet.
- Class 3: 1.75-inch ball from 17 feet.
- Class 4: 2-inch ball from 20 feet.
Which architectural shingles are Class 3
The rating belongs to a specific product and package, not to architectural shingles in general. GAF, for example, says its Timberline HDZ shingles are rated Class 3 when sold in packages that carry the UL 2218 Class 3 statement. Other lines may carry no rating at all. Check the bundle wrapper or the manufacturer's spec sheet rather than a sales brochure.
What Class 3 does and does not do
- It improves resistance to the small and moderate hail that hits Georgia most springs.
- It is a lab result with steel balls at room temperature, not a promise about every storm. Big, wind-driven hail can still damage it.
- Shingle warranties generally exclude hail damage, rated or not.
Class 3 or Class 4?
If an insurance discount is the goal, call your agent before you buy, because many discount programs are written around Class 4. If you simply want a tougher roof at little or no premium, a Class 3 architectural shingle is a sensible middle step. Our guides to impact-resistant shingles in Georgia and Georgia hail season help you judge your risk.