IBHS Hail Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings: What Homeowners Need to Know

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has released its highly anticipated 2025 Hail Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings. This report offers the most detailed look yet at how today’s shingles perform under real-world hail conditions. It is the most extensive IBHS report to date, evaluating 24 different impact-resistant shingle products—covering nearly the entire U.S. market.

How the 2025 Ratings Work

For the first time, IBHS paired its familiar “Excellent,” “Good,” “Marginal,” and “Poor” categories with a numerical scoring system from 0 to 10. This gives homeowners and contractors a clearer sense of how each shingle handles the types of damage hailstorms commonly cause: dents, tearing, and granule loss.

Out of all 24 shingles tested:

• 18 earned a “Good” rating
• 5 fell into the “Marginal” category
• 1 landed in “Poor”
• Zero reached “Excellent” overall

That absence of “Excellent” doesn’t mean today’s impact-resistant shingles are weak. In fact, four shingles scored “Excellent” in at least one category, and IBHS recommends all 18 “Good”-rated products for reliable hail protection.

According to IBHS experts, achieving an overall “Excellent” is extremely difficult. Only one product has ever reached that level since the program began.

A Deeper Look at How IBHS Tests Shingles

To make this year’s ratings more accurate, IBHS expanded and upgraded its testing process.

This year, IBHS introduced advanced technology—the Keyence Impact Damage Measurement system—to capture precise 3D scans before and after each test. This allowed researchers to measure damage with greater accuracy and identify performance differences across brands.

Manufacturers even requested pre- and post-impact scans to confirm product quality before testing. This shows the roofing industry’s growing interest in performance transparency.

The entire testing process uses commercially available equipment, meaning manufacturers can purchase the same technology to improve their own research and product development.

Why These Ratings Matter for Homeowners and Contractors

Impact-resistant shingles aren’t all created equal. The IBHS’ findings help cut through the marketing noise. Homeowners often pay more for shingles labeled “impact-resistant,” but as IBHS notes, not every product performs as promised.

These science-backed ratings:

• Help homeowners choose products proven to stand up to hail
• Equip contractors to make recommendations based on testing—not sales claims
• Encourage manufacturers to keep improving durability
• Support insurance companies as they push for products that reduce long-term storm losses

As hailstorms become more frequent and more destructive, knowing which shingles genuinely hold up can prevent costly roof replacements and insurance headaches.

Texas Dominates the Market for Impact-Resistant Shingles

IBHS partnered with building-materials research firm Principia to analyze market trends across “Hail Alley”—a region stretching from Texas to South Dakota.

The findings were striking: Texas alone accounts for 43% of all impact-resistant shingles sold in the U.S. By comparison, Missouri and Colorado each make up about 10%.

Texas faces not only the highest number of hailstorms but also some of the largest hailstones in the country, making durable roofing essential for homeowners, builders, and insurers.

Some areas are already adjusting building codes in response. For example, four jurisdictions in Colorado—including Boulder County as of March 2025—now require impact-resistant roofing as part of their local code. IBHS expects more states and counties to follow suit as hail losses continue to climb.

The Bottom Line: Hail-Resistant Roofing Is Becoming Essential

Between increasingly severe hailstorms, rising insurance claims, and expanding building-code requirements, impact-resistant shingles are no longer a niche upgrade—they’re becoming a necessity in hail-prone states like Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and beyond.

The 2025 IBHS Hail Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings offer the clearest guidance yet for homeowners deciding how to protect their roof and which materials are worth the investment.

Why Choose Peak Roofing & Construction?

Peak Roofing & Construction combines industry-leading training, extensive experience, and a commitment to precision—exactly what high-performance roofing systems require. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Peak Roofing & Construction is part of an elite group recognized for exceptional craftsmanship, reliability, and proven expertise. 

When you choose a Platinum Preferred installer, you’re choosing a team trusted by one of the most respected names in roofing to deliver results that stand up to severe weather. If you’d like a professional assessment, we offer free inspections and provide clear, competitive proposals. While state law requires homeowners to handle their own deductible, our team is always here to guide you through the process and just a phone call away.

Jeff Riss,
President, Peak Roofing & Construction