Considering a roof replacement soon? If you have spent time looking at new asphalt shingles, you may have noticed different wind ratings on them. These wind ratings are classifications that indicate how strong each shingle is and what wind speed and uplift that shingle can withstand without breaking.
Wondering who establishes these wind ratings?
The wind resistance ratings that most manufacturers list on their asphalt shingles were created by the American Society for Testing and Materials International. First established in 1902, ASTM International is a voluntary standards organization that establishes and defines technical standards for a wide range of products and materials, like roof shingles, used by Greater Chicago residents and customers all over the world.
Manufacturers rely on the standards created by the ASTM International to show how strong and resilient their shingles are in high winds and under high wind pressures.
What are the Wind Resistant Ratings Established by ASTM International?
There are generally two kinds of wind tests applied to asphalt shingles, which lead to two different kinds of ratings. Both establish the resilience of asphalt shingles to high wind speeds and wind uplift.
The first is the ASTM D7158 test for asphalt shingles with factory applied, self-sealing strips on the back. These shingles are tested using the Uplift Force/Uplift Resistance Method. The wind ratings for these self-sealing asphalt shingles are:
- Class D: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 90 mph.
- Class G: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 120 mph.
- Class H: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 150 mph.
The second test falls under ASTM D3161, and tests an asphalt shingle's resistance to high wind speeds. Asphalt shingles that don't have self-sealing strips have the option of testing only for this standard, while self-sealing strip asphalt shingles have to test for ASTM D7158 standards. However, manufacturers will usually test all of their shingles against both standards.
The wind resistant ratings for ASTM D3161 are:
- Class A: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 60 mph.
- Class D: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 90 mph.
- Class F: Shingles can resist uplift at wind speeds up to 110 mph.
Learn More About Our Roofing Replacements in Greater Chicago
If you are thinking about hiring a Greater Chicago area roofing company, reach out to HomeWerks. We offer professionally installed roofing systems using asphalt shingles with high wind ratings.
Give us a call to set up a free consultation and cost estimate for your roof replacement project in the Greater Chicago area. We'll be happy to help you find asphalt shingles with top-notch wind ratings and other weather-resistant features.
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