Extra Protection To Your (NAPSA)—The door has opened for a number of new products that help to protect your home. The Home Doctor has the answer to the ways roof shingles have been improved. ome Q:We have lived in our house for a few years, and recently, I noticed some possible cracking and peeling on a few of the shingles. Is this a sign of routine wear? Should I consider a different type of shingle for my roof? A: Extreme hot and cold temperatures, as well as heavy rains and hail, can take their toll on the roof of your home. Because ofthis, it is always wise to give your roof a quick checkup before the change in season and the weatherit brings. Today, several manufacturers, including CertainTeed Corporation, offer asphalt shingles designed to withstand high winds and other hazardous weather conditions. Each one of these impactresistant shingle options, such as the Presidential Shake IR, have added fiberglass backing. This addition enhances the level of impact resistance over and above the industry’s already high standards, allowing the shingles to withstand the impact of a twoinch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without cracking. With today’s advances in technology, new building products such as impact-resistant shingles provide added protection for your house, but it hasn’t always been that way. According to ToolBase Services, wind and hail damage to roofs comprised a significant portion of the average $8 billion in insurance payments each year between 1991 and 1995. ToolBase Services is the housing industry’s source for technical information on building products, material, new tech- Things are looking up for roofs thanks to impact-resistant shingles. nologies, business management and housing systems. In an effort to aid homeowners with roof-loss problems, several property industry experts collaborated with the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and a product safety certification corporation to develop a national standard for impact-resistant materials. The classification system ranks materials based on their impact resistance to dropped steel balls simulating hailstones and traveling at a speed of 90 mph. The rating system is based on a scale of oneto four, four being the toughest and most durable. Impact-resistant shingles can minimize the overall damage to the roof of your home during severe storms. They also prevent the home’s interior from being exposed to unpleasant weather conditions and help protect those inside the home. Additionally, some insurance companies offer homeowners a discount on their insurance policy for shingles that meet the Class 4 criteria. So as you prepare to guard your home from the elements of nature, rememberthe protection offered by impact-resistant shingles. For more information on impact-resistant roofing shingles for your home, call (800) 782-8777 or visit www.certainteed.com.
