Roofing
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles as the standard, not the upsell.
We are in Hail Alley. A UL 2218 Class 4 shingle over synthetic underlayment is the baseline specification on every asphalt roof we install — and it is the line item that can earn you a 10–25% annual credit on the wind-and-hail portion of your homeowners premium.
Class 4UL 2218 standard
10–25%Typical premium credit
2"Steel ball impact test
20–25Year service life here
What is a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle and is it worth it in Texas?
A UL 2218 Class 4 shingle is the highest impact rating in the standard: it survives two strikes from a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet on the same spot without cracking the mat. In Texas — where the Department of Insurance requires carriers to offer a discount for rated roofs — that typically translates to a 10–25% credit on the wind-and-hail portion of the premium, which on many Hill Country policies pays back the material upgrade well inside the life of the roof.
Why this is the standard and not an option
Central Texas sits in the highest-frequency hail corridor in the United States. A 1.5-inch stone is an ordinary spring event here, not a catastrophe. A standard 3-tab or entry architectural shingle bruises under that — the mat cracks below an intact-looking surface, and the failure shows up as a leak one or two seasons later, often after the claim window has closed.
Quoting a non-rated shingle in this market is quoting a roof you expect to replace on an insurance claim. We would rather specify the assembly that survives the storm, and we would rather you have the premium credit.
The discount is not automatic. Your carrier needs documentation. We provide the manufacturer's UL 2218 certificate and an itemized invoice naming the exact product installed, which is what agents ask for.
Synthetic underlayment, not felt
Fifteen-pound felt is still the cheapest way to dry in a roof and still what a low bid usually assumes. It also absorbs water, tears at the fastener when a crew walks it, and degrades quickly if it is exposed for more than a few days.
Synthetic underlayment does not absorb, has far higher tear strength at the cap nail, holds up to weeks of UV exposure if weather delays the install, and gives the crew a safer walking surface on the steeper pitches common on Hill Country elevations.
On the roof deck itself we also use a self-adhered membrane in the valleys and around every penetration, because valleys and penetrations are where roofs in this region actually leak.
What a real asphalt scope includes
The line items below are where bids diverge. When you compare us to another proposal, compare these specifically — the shingle brand is rarely the difference.
Specification
| Item | What we install |
|---|---|
| Shingle | UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistant architectural |
| Underlayment | Synthetic, full deck — not 15# felt |
| Valleys & penetrations | Self-adhered ice-and-water membrane |
| Flashing | New pipe boots, new step and counter flashing |
| Ridge | Vented ridge with matched cap shingle |
| Deck | Inspected, re-nailed to code, rot replaced |
| Documentation | UL 2218 certificate + itemized product invoice for your carrier |
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Where the cheap bid is actually cheaper.
Two proposals for the same job usually differ on these lines, not on brand. Ask any bidder to put their answer in writing.
| Common low-bid approach | The A1 specification |
|---|---|
| 3-tab or non-rated architectural | UL 2218 Class 4 as the baseline |
| 15# felt underlayment | Full synthetic underlayment |
| Reuse existing pipe boots | New boots and flashing on every penetration |
| "We'll paint the flashing" | Replaced, not painted |
Asphalt Shingle Roofing questions
Answered plainly.
How much does a new asphalt roof cost in Dripping Springs or Bulverde?
Our model puts a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle system at roughly $5.50–$8.25 per square foot of roof surface, so a typical 2,400 sq ft footprint with a medium pitch lands in the mid-to-high five figures. Pitch, layers to tear off, decking condition, and access drive the spread. The satellite tool on this site gives you a measured band for your specific address.
How do I claim the Class 4 insurance discount?
Send your agent two documents: the manufacturer's UL 2218 Class 4 certificate for the exact shingle installed, and the itemized invoice showing that product on your address. We supply both at completion. The credit applies to the wind-and-hail portion of the premium and is set by your carrier, not by us.
How long does an asphalt roof actually last here?
Plan on 20–25 years for a Class 4 architectural shingle in the Hill Country, against a 30-to-50-year printed warranty. UV load and thermal cycling are the reason for the gap. Ventilation quality is the single biggest variable within that range.
Can you match the existing color for my HOA?
Yes. In master-planned communities around Dripping Springs and Liberty Hill we pull the approved color list before quoting and submit the product data sheet with the architectural request if your HOA requires one.
