Compare product-specific hail evidence and the complete GAF or Owens Corning installation. Brand names and Class 4 labels are not enough.
Compare hail-resistant shingles by exact product and scorecard year, then evaluate the complete installed roof and warranty. A brand name or Class 4 label alone does not establish an IBHS comparative rating. Use the test evidence alongside the installation scope and warranty terms when deciding which roof to buy.
Read the current IBHS ratings
IBHS publishes its testing approach and current ratings. It purchases retail shingles and evaluates realistic hail impacts, including different forms of damage. The ratings are product-specific evidence; they do not promise that a roof will avoid damage in every storm.
Use the interactive scorecard to compare the proposed products:
- Search the manufacturer and exact product from the written proposal.
- Select the same scorecard year for both candidates. Do not mix historical and newer rows without identifying the difference.
- Compare the overall category and the separate dents/ridges, tears and granule-loss results.
- Record the product name, year and result with the proposal so a later substitution can be checked.
The interactive tool offers year and rating filters plus downloadable scorecards. If the proposed product is missing, ask the contractor for its actual test evidence; do not borrow the result of a similar product from the same manufacturer. The linked scorecard is the source for current rankings rather than an undated copied league table.
Class 4, architectural and FORTIFIED mean different things
Architectural describes a shingle construction or style category. A Class 4 impact claim identifies a result under its stated test standard. IBHS comparative ratings use their own published protocol. Keep the product and method attached to each claim instead of treating the labels as equivalent.
A FORTIFIED designation also requires the applicable assembly and evaluation documentation. For its hail supplement, confirm the exact product against the current IBHS requirements with the evaluator. Buying a shingle with a strong impact rating does not by itself certify the roof.
GAF versus Owens Corning: compare the named systems
A GAF quote and an Owens Corning quote may describe different shingle tiers, accessories and installation scopes. Use GAF's product comparison and the Owens Corning Duration product page to identify the options, then confirm local availability. Neither manufacturer name identifies a universal winner.
| Comparison | Record for each bid |
|---|---|
| Shingle | Exact product, color, coverage and current data sheet. |
| Hail evidence | Product-specific rating, method and scorecard year. |
| Accessories | Starter, cap, underlayment, leak barriers and ventilation products. |
| Construction | Tear-off, deck allowance, flashing and edge details. |
| Warranty | Named package, issuer, eligibility, remedy and exclusions. |
If one proposal includes new flashing and the other retains it, their price difference is not purely a shingle upgrade. First align the work. Then ask for the added price of the alternative product so you can decide whether its documented benefits justify the cost.
Separate tested performance from warranty coverage
A high hail rating is not a promise that a manufacturer pays for every storm repair. Read the actual GAF warranty documents or Owens Corning warranty documents offered with the installation. Compare manufacturing defects, wind, algae and workmanship separately, including any required accessories or contractor qualifications.
A long term in one coverage category does not establish equal protection in another. Ask who receives a claim and whether labor, removal, disposal or replacement materials are included in the remedy. Retain the installation-year document and any required registration; a current marketing page may not describe an older roof's terms.
Make the selection reviewable
Keep the accepted shingle, accessories, rating evidence, warranty and scope together. Approve physical color samples and require written approval of substitutions. Our HDZ color guide and material selector help narrow the options.
Request an inspection and matched bids for your roof. Decide using the installed system, documented product evidence and actual price, rather than a brand-wide ranking or an unconfirmed insurance discount.
Common questions
Frequently asked
No. Identify the exact product and test method, then check the IBHS scorecard separately.
Published by
Lapeyre Roofing Editorial Team
Roofing Education
Our editorial team publishes homeowner guides with sources linked in the article. For a recommendation about your roof, request an inspection of the property.
