How do you replace a roof after hail in Calgary?

How do you replace a roof after hail in Calgary?

Protect the house from leaks, photograph the damage and call your insurer or broker before you sign anything. An adjuster inspects the roof and decides whether it is repaired or replaced, and on what basis it is paid. You then choose a licensed, insured roofer, ideally upgrading to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, and the old roof is stripped, the deck repaired, new underlayment and flashing installed and the new roof put on.

In 2026, replacing the roof on an average Calgary home typically costs $14,000 to $38,000 in Kay2's cost guide. A Calgary cost survey published in November 2026 put a 2,000 square foot roof at about $12,000 to $16,000 in architectural asphalt shingles and $15,000 to $20,000 in Class 4 shingles. The City of Calgary does not require a permit to replace roofing materials.

Why Calgary roofs take such a beating

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Alberta has had a major hailstorm every year for the past decade, with damage totalling $8 billion. The August 2024 Calgary storm alone led to more than 130,000 insurance claims and over $3 billion in insured damage, the second most costly disaster in Canadian history after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire.

Hail is not the only problem. Chinooks thaw and refreeze snow on the roof many times every winter, which drives ice dams and water under the shingles, and strong sun at altitude ages asphalt faster. Our guide on what chinooks do to Calgary homes explains that cycle.

Signs your roof has hail damage

• Round dark spots where the granules have been knocked off the shingles, often called bruises.
• Granules collecting in eavestroughs and at the bottom of downspouts.
• Cracked, torn or split shingles, especially at the edges and ridges.
• Dented roof vents, flashing, eavestroughs and downspouts, which are often the easiest damage to see from the ground.
• Damage on the siding, windows and fence on the same side of the house.
• Water stains on ceilings or in the attic, although many hail-damaged roofs do not leak right away.

Do not climb on a damaged roof yourself. Look from the ground, from a window or with binoculars, and leave the close inspection to the adjuster and a qualified roofer.

Getting the insurance claim right

• Prevent further damage first. Policies generally expect you to take reasonable steps, such as a tarp over a leak, and to keep the receipts.
• Photograph everything, including the roof from the ground, vents, eavestroughs, siding, windows and any hail on the lawn, with the date.
• Call your insurer or broker before you sign a contract with a roofer. Ask how long you have to report the claim and what your hail deductible is, because hail deductibles in Calgary have risen sharply in recent years.
• Ask whether the roof will be paid at replacement cost or at actual cash value. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for the roof's age, which can leave you paying a large share of an older roof.
• Ask what the policy pays toward an upgrade. Most insurers pay to replace like with like, so the difference for a Class 4 roof may be yours, unless your policy says otherwise.
• Get the adjuster's scope in writing, and make sure every roofing quote covers the same items.

Our guide on whether home insurance covers you during a renovation explains the other insurance questions to ask.

Class 3 or Class 4 shingles?

Impact-resistant roofing is rated under the UL 2218 test, which drops steel balls of different sizes onto the roofing from set heights and checks it for cracks. Class 4 is the highest rating.

In Calgary, Class 4 is the sensible choice for most homes. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends considering Class 4 impact-resistant roofing when replacing a roof, and says a majority of insurers will provide home insurance savings of up to 50 per cent when hail-resistant materials are in place, sometimes with lower deductibles and better coverage after a claim. Ask your own insurer what they offer and keep the product certificate and invoice on file.,Class 4 does not mean hail-proof. Very large hail can still damage it, and the test uses steel balls rather than real ice. It does mean the roof is far more likely to survive the common storms without needing replacement. The price difference on a typical house is usually a few thousand dollars.

Asphalt, metal or something else?

Our hail-resistant exterior guide covers siding, windows and trim as well as the roof.

What a proper roofing quote should include

• Full tear-off of the old roof down to the deck, with disposal.
• Inspection of the roof deck and a unit price for replacing damaged sheathing, so you know the cost before it is found.
• A self-adhering waterproof membrane along the eaves and in valleys. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends a self-adhering waterproofing underlayment when replacing roofing.
• Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck.
• New drip edge, step flashing, valley flashing and chimney flashing, not reused metal.
• New roof vents and enough attic ventilation, which also helps prevent ice dams.
• The exact shingle product and its impact rating, colour and warranty.
• The roofer's workmanship warranty, cleanup and magnet sweep of the yard.
• Proof of liability insurance and WCB coverage, and a written contract.

Watch out for storm chasers

After every big hailstorm, out-of-town crews knock on doors across Calgary. Some do fine work, but many are gone by the time a leak shows up the next spring. Be wary of anyone who offers to cover your deductible, asks you to sign over your insurance claim, pressures you to sign on the doorstep, or wants a large deposit up front.

In Alberta, a company that takes money before the work is finished needs a prepaid contracting licence, and you can check it on Service Alberta's licence search. Our guide on finding the best renovation company in Calgary covers the other checks.

Fixing the attic and ice dams while the roof is open

A roof replacement is the best moment to fix what causes ice dams. Seal the places where warm air leaks into the attic, such as the hatch, pot lights, plumbing stacks and bathroom fans, add insulation and make sure the soffit vents are clear. Bathroom fans should be ducted outside, not into the attic, as our bathroom fan guide explains.

Is there a rebate?

Calgary's Resilient Roofing Rebate Program paid $3,000 toward certified Class 4 roofing until its funding ran out in 2022. As of this writing, no City rebate is open, although the Insurance Bureau of Canada has called on the province to offer incentives for hail-resistant materials. Budget without a rebate, and ask your insurer about premium savings instead.

Roof, siding and windows together

Hail rarely hits only the roof. If the siding, windows and eavestroughs were damaged too, doing them together means one scaffold, one set of flashing details and one look for the whole house. It is also the moment to change the colour or style. Our guides on siding replacement costs and window replacement costs cover the other parts.

Questions people ask

• Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Calgary? Not to replace roofing materials. Structural changes, new skylights or a change to the roof's shape need permits.
• Can you put new shingles over old ones? It is cheaper, but it hides deck damage, adds weight and can void some shingle warranties. A full tear-off is the better choice.
• How long does a roof replacement take? Most houses take one to three days on site, longer for steep or complex roofs or when deck repairs are needed.
• Will a Class 4 roof lower my insurance? Many insurers offer savings for hail-resistant roofing. Ask yours what applies and what proof they need.

How Kay2 handles hail repairs

Kay2 designs and builds exterior renovations across Calgary, including roofs, siding, stucco, stone and windows, usually as part of a full exterior project. We can work from your adjuster's scope, recommend impact-resistant materials, and give a guaranteed price before work starts.