If you have been following our recent updates on the [2026 Insurance Crisis], you know that Illinois homeowners are facing stricter rules than ever before. It is no longer enough to just have a "leak-free" roof. To keep your premiums affordable and your coverage secure, you need to understand one specific rating: UL 2218 Class 4. At Stan’s Roofing and Siding, we are seeing a massive shift in how Naperville and Orland Park homeowners choose their materials. Here is why a Class 4 roof is the smartest financial move you can make this year.


1. What Does "Class 4" Actually Mean?

The UL 2218 impact test is the industry standard for shingles. To achieve a Class 4 rating, a shingle must withstand a 2 inch steel ball dropped twice from a height of 20 feet onto the same spot without cracking or tearing the backing.

In the real world, that represents the kind of hail that usually totals a standard roof. While a standard architectural shingle might look okay after a storm, a Class 4 shingle (like the Malarkey Legacy or Owens Corning Duration Flex) is engineered to bounce back.


2. The Insurance "Premium Discount" Secret

Because Class 4 shingles significantly reduce the likelihood of a total roof replacement claim, many Illinois insurance carriers offer a "Premium Credit."

Depending on your provider, installing a Class 4 roof can lead to a 10% to 25% discount on your annual homeowner's insurance premium. In a year where rates are climbing across the board, this discount often pays for the "upgrade cost" of the shingles within just a few years.


3. Class 4 vs. Standard Shingles: The 2026 Comparison

Feature
Standard Architectural
Class 4 Impact Resistant
Hail Resistance
Up to 1 inch hail
Up to 2 inch hail
Material
Standard Asphalt
Polymer Modified Asphalt (Rubberized)
Insurance Benefit
None / Standard Rate
Significant Premium Discounts
Cold Weather Performance
Can become brittle
Stays flexible in "Polar Vortex" temps


4. Why Flexibility Matters in a Chicago Winter

One of the hidden benefits of Class 4 shingles is that they are often "rubberized" with SBS polymers. This means they do not get brittle when the temperature drops to zero. Standard shingles can crack if a tree branch hits them in January, but a Class 4 shingle stays flexible. This is a massive advantage for the [January Freeze] we are currently experiencing in the 630 and 815 area codes.

The Stan’s Recommendation

We believe every roof replaced in 2026 should be an investment in your home's "insurability." We specialize in installing Class 4 systems that meet the highest standards of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

Give us a call at (708) 448-4100 for a free material consultation. We will help you find a shingle that looks beautiful and keeps your insurance agent happy.

Want to learn more? Check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StansRoof ​


Sources and Factual References