Hail storms in the U.S. account for about $1.6 billion in annual property damage every year, much of it in the Midwest. Because monster hail balls can crack even a concrete roof tile, Boral has introduced a re-engineered concrete roof tile that gets a class 4 rating: that is, it can withstand hail balls up to 2 inches in diameter at impact speeds of up to 70 mph. (The existing product has a class 3 rating, which means the roof can withstand 1 3/4-inch balls at that speed.) Expect to pay around $85 per square foot. Boral, 800.669.8453, boralroof.com
