Each year, the province of Alberta experience some of Canada's most severe hail storms. These storms have caused more than $1 billion in damages in Calgary from June 2020. Because the damages are so extensive, the government of Calgary is offering a roof rebate program for homeowners who want to update their roofs with more resilient materials. Continue reading to learn if you are eligible for the Resilient Roofing program.
Why Should You Replace Your Roof?
Canada is no stranger to extreme weather. However, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are increasing with climate change. Canadian weather hit an all-time high in 2021 with heat waves, cold spells, droughts, tornados, and hail storms.
Severe weather like hail and wind can cause damage to your roof. If your roof is old and/or has low safety ratings, it's vulnerable to weather damage. Even minor damage can become major if left untreated.
It's best to get a new shingle installation to replace a damaged roof, even in the winter months. If you've experienced hail damage, the best new shingles for roof replacement are Class IV shingles.
What are Class IV Shingles?
Shingles undergo certain ratings for hazards like high wind, fire, and impact. Underwriters Laboratories is a global safety certification company in the United States that helps set safety standards in North America.
Their impact rating test is the UL 2218. This test uses steel balls of various sizes to simulate hail impact. The highest impact resistance is the UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.
Class IV shingles can withstand steel balls that are 50.8mm in diameter from over 6 meters away. Although not completely hail-proof, these shingles reduce the risk of damage from cracked or fractured shingles.
What is the Resilient Roofing Program?
According to the Weather Network, Calgary had its 4th most expensive natural disaster in 2020. Tennis ball-sized hailstones caused $1.5 billion in damages to homes, vehicles, and land.
The city of Calgary started a roofing program to help homeowners cover the roof damage costs after the storm. It also provides an incentive for homeowners to replace their roofs with Class IV shingles. The new shingles will help reduce future weather disaster damage costs.
How To Qualify for the Resilient Roofing Rebate
Eligibility requirements for homeowners are:
In good standing on property taxes
Lives in a single-family detached, semi-detached, or duplexes home
Roof replacement purchased between June 1, 2021-May 31, 2022
The new shingle installation requirements are Class IV rated shingles
Installed by an Alberta Allied Roofing Association member, or Alberta Roofing Contractors Association, or Inspected by an AARA or ARCA inspector
The program budget is $2 million, and rebates will end when all the funding is used. Check the City of Calgary’s website for more information about the status of your application. Get Started With Us The Resilient Roofing program won't last forever. Better act fast to take advantage of this rebate. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started! Ebenezer Roofing is ready to deliver high-quality service at the prices you can afford and help you reduce the damage from the next hailstorms that come to town.