Metal Roofing Certifications Explained: The Complete Guide
Quick answer
A trustworthy metal roof should prove four things independently — hail impact (UL 2218 Class 4), building-code compliance (ICC-ES ESR-1790 and, in Canada, CCMC 10475-R), wind resistance (Florida Product Approval FL7263), and energy performance (cool-roof solar reflectance). Interlock's aluminum roofing carries all of them, each verified by an independent body.
Why roofing certifications matter
Every roofing brand calls its product durable. Certifications are how you tell the difference between a marketing adjective and a measured fact — an independent organization putting its name behind a specific, testable claim that a roof survived a hailstone impact, held down under hurricane wind, passed the building code, or reflected a measured share of the sun's heat. For a homeowner, that matters in four concrete ways: permitting (your building department needs proof of code compliance), insurance (impact ratings can lower premiums), protection (the roof is verified against your region's hazards), and peace of mind (someone independent checked the work).
Hail and impact: UL 2218 Class 4
UL 2218 Class 4 is the highest impact-resistance class a roof covering can earn. To pass, a 2-inch steel ball is dropped from 20 feet with no cracking or rupture. Every Interlock aluminum and steel profile — Diamond, Shingle & Slate, Shake, and Tile — is certified to Class 4 by Intertek (Listing SPEC ID 33876), and many insurers offer a premium discount for it.
Building code and fire: ICC-ES ESR-1790
ESR-1790, issued by ICC Evaluation Service, confirms Interlock's panels and shingles comply with the 2009–2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code. It documents allowable wind uplift up to 177.5 psf and Class A or B fire classification with the specified underlayment assembly — the third-party evidence your building official needs to approve a permit.
Hurricane wind: Florida Product Approval FL7263
For the most demanding roofing code in the country, FL7263-R7 publishes engineer-sealed Maximum Design Pressures up to negative 187.5 psf, verified by testing to UL 580, UL 1897 and TAS 125 and sealed by a licensed Florida Professional Engineer. It applies statewide outside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties).
Canadian code: CCMC 10475-R
CCMC 10475-R is the Government of Canada evaluation — trusted by more than 6,000 regulators — confirming Interlock Cedar and Slate comply with the National Building Code of Canada 2015. It is backed by test data showing no water leakage at simulated winds up to 154–170 km/h and has been active since 1983.
Energy: cool roof and solar reflectance
Interlock's Alunar finish is a cool roof, with independently measured solar reflectance up to 0.55 and a thermal emissivity of 0.84, qualified as steep-slope ENERGY STAR roofing. Reflecting sunlight and radiating heat lowers summer cooling costs. Explore each certification in the linked guides below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What certifications should a good metal roof have?
Look for four: an impact rating (UL 2218 Class 4 is the highest, for hail), a building-code evaluation (ICC-ES ESR for the IBC/IRC), regional wind approval where relevant (Florida Product Approval, or CCMC in Canada), and a fire classification (Class A is best). Cool-roof reflectance values are a bonus. Interlock carries all of these.
Are Interlock's certifications independent?
Yes. They come from independent bodies: Intertek (UL 2218), ICC Evaluation Service (ESR-1790), a licensed Florida Professional Engineer with UL LLC quality assurance (FL7263), the National Research Council of Canada (CCMC 10475-R), and independent solar-reflectance testing (Energy Star values). None are self-declared.
Why do certifications matter when choosing a roof?
They turn marketing claims into verified performance — determining whether your roof will pass permitting, qualify for insurance discounts, resist your region's hazards, and perform in energy terms. They are the difference between a roof that says it is tough and one that has proven it.
Sources
- Intertek — Listing SPEC ID 33876 (UL 2218 Class 4) — Impact resistance
- ICC Evaluation Service — ESR-1790 — Code compliance
- Florida Building Commission — FL7263-R7 — Wind approval
- CCMC / NRC — Evaluation 10475-R — Canadian code
Explore Interlock Metal Roofing
Last reviewed 2026-07-11 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing