Metal roofing product qualifies for Very Severe Hail rating

by Christopher Brinckerhoff | 10 June 2024 6:00 am

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Westlake Royal Building Products[2], based in Houston, announced its Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing has received the Very Severe Hail (VSH) rating in accordance with ANSI FM4473, American National Standard for Impact Resistance Testing of Rigid Roofing Materials by Impacting with Freezer Ice Balls.

“The roof is often the first point of contact for the hailstorms that damage homes every year,” says Steve Booz, vice-president, marketing, at Westlake Royal Building Products. “Hailstorms are increasing the repair and insurance costs incurred by homeowners and, as a result, roofing materials that have been tested to the most stringent in hail resistance standards are in high demand.”

To qualify as an FM4473 certified roofing product, steep slope roofing materials must possess adequate physical properties to demonstrate hail impact resistance as it relates to hailstorms. Minimum accepted performance is Class 2 nominal 38.1 mm (1.5 in.) diameter ice ball. Classifications also include Class 3 nominal, or 44.5 mm (1.75 in.) sized ice ball, and Class 4 nominal, or 50.8 mm (2 in.) sized ice ball. Certification for these ratings is contingent on two successful test specimens meeting the acceptable criteria to qualify for the given classification.

For the VSH rating, 50.8 mm (2 in.) ice balls are also used, however they are weathered prior to testing. Additionally, three successful test specimens must meet the criteria. During both Class 4 and VSH testing, a 50.8 mm (2 in.) ice ball is shot at the test subject at different speeds, producing a set kinetic energy at impact. Unified Steel qualified for Class 4 and VSH classifications.

“By meeting the VSH classification outlined by FM Approval and listed in QAI CER 1008, Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing has demonstrated the ability to help protect the structure from further damage caused by severe hail impacts,” says Eric Miller, vice-president, sales, at Westlake Royal Building Products. “The VSH designation also sets Unified Steel apart from most steep slope roofing products.”

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/news/metal-roofing-hail-rating/

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