Severe weather events are a fact of life, and they’re becoming more frequent. By stocking the latest building material innovations, lumberyards can strengthen their lumberyard business, significantly boosting their profit margins while meeting growing market demands.
GAF’s advanced impact-resistant shingles are a perfect example of high-value inventory that drives sales.
There’s now a premium version of GAF’s bestselling Timberline HDZ® Shingles—Timberline® UHDZ™ Shingles—making available all the features that have made Timberline HDZ® Shingles a popular choice for homeowners, but with a few extras—ranging from enhanced aesthetics to 10% Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology.
Both Timberline® UHDZ™ and Timberline HDZ® Shingles provide a stylish wood-shake look for beautiful curb appeal that can help boost the value of a home. The new Ultra High Definition™ Shingles is, as their name suggests, their patent-pending Dual Shadow Line feature—which provides an ultra-dimensional, deeply defined look via a “sunset shadow effect” that’s perceptible all day long. Timberline® UHDZ™ Shingles are also thicker, which adds to their enhanced dimensionality.
GAF has been a recognized leader in roofing and waterproofing solutions for over a century while raising the bar for durability and innovation.
That’s typified by GAF’s latest announcement — which offers heartening news for homeowners and businesses in areas that are prone to hail. The news that Timberline shingles have been enhanced with advanced impact resistance is twofold:
- Timberline® AS II shingles continue to be a top choice for Class 4 protection — designed to withstand severe hail impacts, with the highest rating for maximum resistance.
- Timberline® UHDZ™ shingles have been upgraded to a Class 4 impact resistance rating, strengthening their ability to withstand moderate hail impacts.
These enhancements are available across the United States, meaning property owners nationwide can take advantage of the heightened protection offered by these extra-durable shingles. Along with their superior impact resistance, Timberline shingles deliver another invaluable benefit for property owners: peace of mind.
Why Shingle Classifications Matter: Understanding Impact Resistance
Where severe weather is a frequent threat, the impact resistance rating in roofing materials is important. This means that there needs to be a system that can accurately gauge the ability of a given roofing material to withstand the impact of hail and other falling debris.
That’s where the UL 2218 test comes in. As the industry standard for measuring impact resistance, it classifies shingles into four levels based on performance, with Class 1 representing the minimum and Class 4 offering the highest resistance level.
How does it work? The Underwriters Laboratory Test Standard UL 2218 test involves dropping steel balls of varying diameters from a specific height onto the materials being tested. The results evaluate whether the materials can withstand the impact without cracking, puncturing, or losing granules — all of which could compromise the roof’s ability to provide the necessary protection to the building underneath it.
The results separate shingles into these four performance categories:
- Class 1: Minimum impact resistance.
- Class 2: Moderate resistance to smaller hail or debris.
- Class 3: Higher resistance, tested with a 1.75-inch diameter steel ball dropped from 17.9 feet.
- Class 4: Maximum resistance, tested with a 2-inch diameter steel ball dropped from 20 feet.
This information allows home and business owners to make crucial decisions about how much protection they need according to their area’s specific level of hail risk.
Class 3 and Class 4 shingles are highly recommended for those in hail-prone areas since they offer substantially more protection than lower-rated products.
The Secret Is in the Engineering: A Closer Look at Enhanced GAF Shingles
GAF drives its ongoing efforts to raise its already high standards for impact resistance through advanced engineering. Here’s a closer look at the details.
Timberline® AS II Shingles (Class 4 Impact Resistance)
For maximum protection, Timberline® AS II shingles continue to be a top-tier choice. These shingles use a proprietary SBS-modified asphalt formulation, which provides superior flexibility and resilience even in extreme weather conditions. The Class 4 rating means that the shingles can withstand the most severe hailstorms, making them an excellent investment for long-term roof protection.
Key Features:
- Class 4 impact resistance, the highest level available in the market.
- Proprietary SBS-modified asphalt technology for unmatched durability.
- Resistance to cracking, tearing, and granule loss under impact.
- Aesthetic options that enhance the overall appearance of any home or building.
Learn how Timberline® AS II shingles are built to endure:
Timberline® UHDZ™ Shingles (Class 4 Impact Resistance)
GAF has upgraded its bestselling Timberline HDZ® Shingles to Timberline® UHDZ™ shingles to achieve Class 4 impact resistance. These shingles are designed to endure moderate hailstorms without sustaining critical damage. The enhanced core of the UHDZ™ shingles incorporates advanced materials and engineering to improve durability while still maintaining the iconic aesthetic appeal of the Timberline® series.
Key Features:
- Proven performance in the UL 2218 Class 4 testing.
- Enhanced resistance to impacts from hail and debris.
- Advanced layering for increased durability without sacrificing curb appeal.
- Compatibility with GAF’s StainGuard Plus™ technology to resist algae growth.
How Advanced Impact Resistance Pays Off: Key Benefits for Buildings in Hail-Prone Areas
Our industry sees it firsthand: serious storms create urgent demand for quality roofing materials. When homeowners experience damage, they turn to their trusted local suppliers for immediate solutions.
That’s why stocking impact-resistant shingles like GAF’s Timberline® UHDZ™ and AS II shingles will strengthen your lumberyard business, making a significant difference to your lumberyard’s bottom line.
Four ways carrying these superior shingles can boost your profitability:
- Increased margins on premium products compared to standard shingles
- Higher transaction values when customers upgrade to storm-resistant options
- Expanded customer base as word spreads about your quality inventory
- Recurring business from contractors who prefer suppliers with comprehensive GAF options
GAF’s Timberline® UHDZ™ and AS II shingles make a difference to homeowners looking for peace of mind when they learn that investing in superior shingles can put a ceiling on potential losses, for example:
- Reduced Damage and Maintenance Costs. High-quality Impact-resistant shingles help minimize the risk of cracking, punctures, and granule loss, all of which are common consequences of hailstorms. By preventing these damages, homeowners and businesses can avoid frequent maintenance while reducing the likelihood of leaks or structural issues.
- Longer Roof Lifespan. Withstanding the impact of hail and debris, GAF’s enhanced shingles prolong the roof’s life. Property owners enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected against harsh weather conditions — and will be extending the life of their investment.
- Insurance Benefits. Here’s another silver lining. Many insurance companies offer discounts to property owners who install Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles — an upgrade that benefits both the insurer and the insured. Even better, these discounts can actually offset the initial cost of upgrading to a more durable roofing solution.
- Enhanced Protection for Commercial and Residential Buildings. For businesses, especially those in industries where downtime can be costly, impact-resistant shingles offer an added layer of security — protecting not just buildings but valuable equipment and furnishings from leakage and damage. Similarly, residential homeowners can help ensure that their families and belongings are better protected during severe weather events in addition to their homes.
FORTIFIED Roof Designation
After years of studying weather-related damage, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed the FORTIFIED program—a voluntary construction and re-roofing program designed to help protect homes against severe weather. GAF and IBHS have established a first-of-its-kind alliance to make resilient FORTIFIED™ roofs more accessible to homeowners nationwide.
GAF provides a variety of roofing products that comply with IBHS’s FORTIFIED Roof™ standards. GAF also deploys critical training expertise and capabilities to help contractors identify those products and learn about FORTIFIED installation methods that help homes withstand weather events.
The 2025 FORTIFIED standards reflect the latest high wind research conducted by IBHS, along with input from other experts and building industry stakeholders. To be eligible for a FORTIFIED Roof designation, a roofing contractor must use products that meet specific standards and install the roof in accordance with the applicable FORTIFIED Standard and manufacturer’s installation instructions.
There are Even More Benefits to Your Lumberyard
BPI’s partnership with GAF is yet another well-designed solution that will help you boost your profits and grow your business. BPI ensures you are prepared for regional spikes in demand by ensuring that the GAF roofing materials you need quickly are in stock and available on short notice.
BPI’s lumberyard partners can rest easy knowing that upgraded shingles like Timberline UHDZ® (Class 4) and Timberline AS II (Class 4) are available when needed — including when storms hit and as market demand continues to grow.
In addition to leveraging GAF Services to help strengthen your business, here are some key benefits a partnership between BPI and GAF delivers to lumberyards.
Logistics and Inventory Management
BPI’s expertise in stocking and managing inventory for lumberyards and their contractors confers a major advantage. For example, BPI’s Job Packs help you serve your contractors better by organizing GAF products according to job — including shingles, underlayment, and metal roofing accessories. BPI’s Delivery Picture Program lets lumberyards know when and where materials are delivered and their condition.
BPI even offers a Ship Direct service, which means your contractors can have GAF shingles delivered right to the job site at multi-home builds.
High-quality packaging is another area where BPI takes special care — to minimize the chances of damage during transport to your yard or the job site. And careful labeling helps ensure you’re receiving and delivering the right product to help eliminate errors.
Offering Warranties as a Selling Point
The comprehensive warranties that GAF offers are a tool that helps lumberyards attract and retain customers. Products that come with reliable, well-recognized warranties are appealing to customers, so contractors will use them as a selling point to close more sales with homeowners. GAF’s streamlined process, which makes warranties simple to register and manage, is another great plus.
Driving Contractor Loyalty
The superior durability and engineering of GAF’s premium shingles will help build long-term relationships with contractors by attracting customers who prioritize quality and appreciate access to a reliable supply of trusted products.
Expanding Market Reach
Working with BPI helps lumberyards put themselves on the map as the go-to source for impact-resistant shingles and premium roofing materials. This not only helps attract more business from contractors working in hail-prone regions but also creates a stable base of business from which to branch out into other areas as well.
Training and Certification Support
Connecting lumberyards with GAF Certification for their contractor customers is another important benefit that BPI can provide. Being certified by the largest roofing manufacturer in North America can help your contractors build trust with customers and unlock savings on select business-boosting services. BPI’s facilitation of contractor training and certification can help strengthen the business relationship between lumberyards and contractors.
Marketing Assistance for Lumberyards
Getting the word out about GAF’s superior roofing materials is crucial. That’s why BPI and GAF provide:
- Co-branded advertising and marketing materials
- Resources to help lumberyards promote impact-resistant shingles and warranties
- Targeted strategies for selling to hail-prone regions where customers need GAF’s upgraded impact-resistant shingles most
Partnering with BPI to Build Your Success
The availability of GAF’s premium shingle lines combines with the advantages discussed above to create a powerful toolkit that lumberyards can use to attract new customers — and strengthen the loyalty and satisfaction of existing ones.
Get in touch with us to find out more about the powerful tools and services BPI can provide to help you and your customers grow.
