The aesthetic appearance and the natural durability of cedar add property value to your home. These are just some of the reasons cedar is so often used as a roof covering.

Cedar shakes are more resistant to hail than most other roof coverings used today. Cedar shakes have earned a high impact-UL-2218 rating. UL-2218 is the Underwriters Laboratories test standard for Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials. The acceptance criteria upon examination after being subjected to the test procedure is: prepared roof covering material exposed surface, back surface and underneath layers shall show no evidence of tearing, fracturing, cracking, splitting, rupture or other evidence of opening of the prepared roof covering layer. For further information on this testing procedure please visit www.ul.com.

The classifications for impact resistance are expressed as Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 which relate to a roof covering's ability to withstand impacts from 1¼, 1½ , 1¾ and 2". diameter steel balls, respectively.

Certi-label™ 24" x ¾" Handsplit and Resawn shakes carry a Class 4 impact resistance rating, Certi-label™ Handsplit and Resawn shakes 24"x ½" carry a Class 3 impact resistance rating.

If you live in a hailstorm prone area there are some insurance underwriting companies that will offer a discount on your premium if you use a roofing material that is impact resistance rated. In the state of Colorado for instance, Western United offers a scaled discount depending on the impact resistance rating. For a further list of insurance companies that have expressed interest in handling homeowners insurance for dwellings with wood roofs please contact us at info@cedarbureau.com.

Identifying the difference in naturally weathered and storm damaged cedar roofs is sometimes a difficult task. It takes a trained eye to assess a cedar roof and determine if it is in fact damaged due to hail, or if it is just naturally weathered. It also takes a trained eye to determine the amount of repair required.

For hail seminar information or to locate a distributor in your area please contact the CSSB office.