Hail, Wind and Fire: How a Treated Roof Stands Up

An East Kootenay roof gets tested from every direction: hail out of a July thunderstorm, wind funnelling down the valley, and embers in a bad fire season. How well a roof handles all three comes down to one thing most people never think about.

It Comes Down to Flexibility

New shingles bend. As they age and lose their oils they turn brittle, and brittle shingles crack under a hailstone, tear at the edges in wind, and shed the granules that protect them. Restore the flexibility and the shingle can take the hit.

Hail: UL 2218 Class 4

UL 2218 is the North American standard for impact resistance, graded Class 1 to Class 4. To earn Class 4, the top grade, a roof has to withstand a two-inch steel ball dropped from about 20 feet without cracking. Gonano's system is independently tested to Class 4.

Had hail already? Our guide to hail damage and the alternative to replacement covers what to look for and what insurance does and doesn't pay.

Wind: ASTM D3161 Class F

Wind damage starts at the edges, where a gust lifts a shingle and peels it back. Class F is the highest class in this test, rated to 110 mph, or roughly 177 km/h.

Fire: UL 790 Class A

Class A is the highest fire rating a roof covering can carry for fire coming at it from outside. That's the rating that matters when embers are in the air.

Does It Hold Up in Practice?

Gonano has put more than $1 million into independent testing. In one test, a 15-year-old roof treated with NuRoof Revive outperformed a roof with brand-new shingles.

What It Means for Your Roof

The treatment protects roofs that are aging but still sound. It won't rescue one that has already failed. If yours qualifies, it goes on in a day and comes with a transferable warranty of up to 20 years. Here's how to tell if your roof is a candidate.

Want the Full Guide?

This is the short, local version. For the complete guide, read Gonano's article: Roof Rejuvenation for Hail, Wind and Fire Protection.