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TOPIC: Denting/Hail Concerns

Hail damage to metal roofing

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Living in an area that sometimes sees it's share of hail, I am curious if metal roofing is succeptible to the "dings" that car panels sometimes get during a hail storm. I have vinyl siding on my house and although lauded as being hail-resistant, because of u-v degredation, a recent hail storm did significant damage. Although I understand that metal roofing does not encounter problems in this area in regards to u-v exposure, I am concerned that after a hail storm my once beautiful roof would be left pock-marked. Thanks for the response in advance. Chris
Guest User

6/5/2001
Most metal roof systems have passed UL 2218 Impact Resistance testing at the Class IV level -- its most severe level. As a result, homeowners in hal-prone states who choose metal roofing may be eligible for discounts on their insurance premiums. One BIG benefit to metal roofing is that it does not lose its impact resistance as it ages. Unlike other roofing materials, metal will resist hail the same in 50 or more years as it does when it's new. We recently had golf-ball and slightly larger hail through my area of the country and I have not seen one metal roof that needed to be replaced. However, many standard shingle roofs as well as siding installations needed to be replaced. Some metal roofs are designed with very textured finishes. If, by chance, a real whopper storm came through, these textured products can endure some small indentations and they will just blend in with the original texturing. Many metal roof systems do carry warranties with hail protection, including coverage that the coatings on the surface of the metal will not be damaged. Also, some systems can be easily repaired if a whopper storm does come through and cause damage. (At that point, of course, virtually all other roofs in the area will need complete replacement.)
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

6/7/2001
when is it necessary to replace a metal roof if hail dents have occurred, hits that do not chip the paint, and hits that chip the paing, but don't dent. Is the integrity and functiional use of the roof still intact? Is there like a certain number of hits per square that is considered damaged enough to replace vs repair. And is a good enough repair, scraping and re-painting, even with dents? Is there a way to tell how old a metal roof is? How long does it take for exposed metal to rust? Thank you
Guest User

10/5/2001
In most cases when a metal roof has apparent physical damage resulting from hail, the roof still protects the structure the same as it did when it was new. Additionally, whereas other roofing materials often have "hidden" damage resulting from hail, that is usually not the case with metal. Therefore, unless there has been very severe damage resulting from a very severe hailstorm, the decision on whether to replace a metal roof due to cosmetic damage is usually a subjective and personal decision. For the most part, insurance adjusters realize this as well. Whereas they have standard policies on replacing roofing that has sustained a certain number of hits in a specific size of area, they also realize that hail hits on metal roofing do not typically cause the kind of damage and potential leak problems that are caused with other roofing materials. That is why, in some states, many metal roofs are approved so that homeowners who choose them can receive discounts on their insurance premiums. Some metal roofs are warranted against paint or coating failure (chipping) due to hail. If you have a metal roof that has had coating failure due to hail hits, you should investigate with the product manufacturer to see if it is a warranted event. As for how long metal can be exposed without rusting, there are several things to consider. Most steel roofs, beneath the paint, have a galvanized or galvalume coating on the steel. Therefore, even if the paint is removed, there is a protective metallic coating on the product that resists rust. This metallic coating could easily last 20 years or more without rusting, especially in mild environments. Also, some metal roofs are aluminum or copper which will never rust. In some cases, hail damage can be repaired. Sometimes the individual dents can be removed or, sometimes, you can replace or cap over damaged panels with new matching panels. The best way to determine the age of a metal roof is to know when it was installed. However, in other cases, if you can track down the manufacturer of the product, they might be able to assist you in determining the roof's age.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/7/2001
I was recently notified by my insurance company that my homeowner insurance premiums would be increased by about $350 per year (about 15%) because I live in an area where roof hail damage occurs frequently. I have a 12 year old alumnimum roof on my house. Some other types of roofing material receive a discount. This company is using an asphalt shingle roof a the standard to measure the likelyhood of hail damage occuring. My Alcoa Aluminum roof is grananteed not to leak due to hail penetration for as long as I live in the house. I don't see how the insurance company is facing any increased risk becaues of the company guarantee. Also from what I can determine an Aluminum roof would be less likely than wooden roofs to receive hail damage but we are all classified as imposing the same risk to the insurance company. Can anyone point me to any studies that might help me in protesting this insurance rate increase?
Guest User

5/20/2002
I am sorry to hear that your area of the country has been suffering from increasing insurance rates. You are not alone in that respect. The Alcoa product is now manufactured by Perfection Building Products (www.perfectionusa.com). Perfection has had the product tested according to the UL 2218 Impact Resistance standards and the product passed at the Class IV (highest) level. Some insurance companies do give discounts to products that have passed this test. You should check into that with your insuror and, if necessary, with your state's insurance board. If your insuror will offer a discount, chances are that they would grandfather the Alcoa roof into the program. When your product was manufactured, the UL 2218 test did not exist.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

5/20/2002