CertainTeed Presidential Shake IR
Luxury cedar-shake-look asphalt shingle with SBS-modified impact resistance. Class 3 impact rating per UL 2218 combines the aesthetic of Presidential Shake with storm-market hail protection. Class A fire. 110 mph wind standard. SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated warranty.
Luxury Shake Look + Class 3 Impact • Class A Fire • SureStart PLUS Warranty
Luxury Shake Aesthetic + Impact Resistance for Hail Exposure
You want the hand-split cedar shake look on your McHenry County home — but you also want impact resistance for the hail events we get every summer. Standard Presidential Shake TL gives you the luxury aesthetic but isn’t impact-rated. Landmark ClimateFlex gives you Class 4 impact but in standard architectural (not shake) profile. You want both — the luxury shake aesthetic AND the impact-rated protection for storm exposure.
Presidential Shake IR is the answer. Standard Presidential Shake construction (multi-layer laminate shake look, Class A fire rating, deep cedar-shake shadow profile) plus SBS-modified impact resistance. UL 2218 Class 3 impact rating — not Class 4 (the highest), but a legitimate impact rating that’s uncommon on luxury asphalt shingles. 110 mph wind standard, upgradable with 6-nail installation. Class A fire rating. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, backed by SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated material warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage.
When Presidential Shake IR Is the Right Call
Presidential Shake IR isn’t our default luxury recommendation — standard Presidential Shake TL covers most luxury shake-look projects. Presidential Shake IR is specifically for homeowners who want the luxury aesthetic AND the storm resistance. Here’s when that combination matters.
SBS Modification — Impact Resistance in Luxury Shake Profile
The core technical upgrade that makes Presidential Shake IR different from standard Presidential Shake is SBS-modified asphalt. SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) is the rubber modifier used in commercial roofing and highway paving in cold climates — it gives asphalt rubber-like flexibility that absorbs impact energy instead of cracking. The same SBS chemistry that makes Landmark ClimateFlex Class 4 impact-rated is incorporated into Presidential Shake IR’s luxury shake construction.
The result: a luxury cedar-shake-look asphalt shingle that passes UL 2218 Class 3 impact testing — 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from 17 feet twice in the same spot with no cracking. Class 3 is one step below Class 4 but legitimately impact-rated, which most luxury asphalt shingles aren’t.
Luxury Shake Aesthetic — Same As Presidential Shake TL
Visually, Presidential Shake IR reads identical to standard Presidential Shake from the street. Multi-layer laminate construction replicates hand-split cedar shake. Deep dimensional shadow lines. Luxury color palette. Same aesthetic category as standard Presidential and Presidential Shake TL — the hand-split cedar look at Class A fire rating (unlike real cedar, which is combustible).
For projects where the homeowner wants the Presidential Shake aesthetic AND is concerned about McHenry County hail exposure, Presidential Shake IR gives you both without compromising on either. Aesthetic matches the non-IR Presidential products; impact protection matches standard architectural ClimateFlex levels.
Insurance Discount Qualification for Class 3
Class 3 impact rating qualifies for insurance premium discounts from many carriers — typically smaller than Class 4 discounts (10 to 15 percent range rather than 10 to 28 percent for Class 4), but still a legitimate reduction for impact-rated roofing. We help confirm your specific carrier’s discount structure during the consultation. For homeowners replacing a luxury shake roof where hail exposure is a real concern, the Class 3 discount often offsets a meaningful portion of the Presidential Shake IR premium over standard Presidential.
Note: some carriers require Class 4 specifically for their maximum discount tier. Class 3 qualifies for a smaller discount with those carriers. For homeowners on the Class 4 discount threshold, Landmark ClimateFlex or NorthGate ClimateFlex (both Class 4, both non-shake aesthetic) may be the better choice if the luxury shake aesthetic isn’t a priority.
SureStart PLUS + Enhanced Impact Coverage
Presidential Shake IR carries CertainTeed’s Limited Lifetime material warranty PLUS enhanced impact coverage specific to the IR designation. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product qualifies for SureStart PLUS: 50-year non-prorated material coverage plus 25-year workmanship coverage. Enhanced impact coverage is stacked on top of the standard Presidential Shake warranty structure.
This warranty stack is unique to SELECT ShingleMaster-credentialed installers. Non-credentialed installers can’t offer SureStart PLUS regardless of product tier. For a luxury shake-look shingle with impact rating, the install requirements and warranty backing are significant components of the overall value proposition.
See CertainTeed Presidential Shake IR Installed by IHC
Real projects across McHenry County. No stock photos.
Luxury shake aesthetic — McHenry County, IL
Premium install — McHenry County, IL
Install in progress
Showcase project — McHenry, IL
After photo — McHenry County, IL
Post-hail replacement — Cary, IL
Presidential Shake Family — Three Configurations
IHC installs all three Presidential Shake variants. IR is the impact-resistant option.
Presidential Shake
Multi-layer laminate luxury shake. No impact rating. Class A fire, 110 mph wind.
Presidential Shake TL (Triple Laminate)
Triple-laminate version. Deepest shadow lines + longest lifespan. No impact rating. Luxury flagship of standard Presidential family.
Presidential Shake IR — This Page
SBS-modified impact-resistant version. Class 3 impact (UL 2218). Same luxury shake look. Insurance discount qualification. For luxury homes with hail exposure.
Selection logic: Presidential Shake for standard luxury shake projects. Presidential Shake TL for maximum aesthetic depth and lifespan. Presidential Shake IR for luxury shake aesthetic + storm-market impact resistance. We’ll walk through all three at our Crystal Lake showroom.
Presidential Shake IR vs. Alternatives
Impact-resistant luxury roofing is a specific product category. Here’s how Presidential Shake IR compares.
| Feature | Presidential Shake IR This Page | Presidential Shake TL (No IR) | Landmark ClimateFlex | NorthGate ClimateFlex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Luxury shake + impact | Luxury shake (no IR) | Standard architectural + Class 4 impact | Premium architectural + Class 4 impact |
| Impact Rating | Class 3 (UL 2218) | Not impact-rated | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Class 4 (UL 2218) |
| Aesthetic | Luxury cedar shake look | Luxury cedar shake look (triple laminate) | Standard dimensional | Deeper dimensional |
| Wind Rating | 110 mph (upgradable) | 110 mph (upgradable) | 110 mph (upgradable) | 130 mph / 160 mph WindProven |
| Fire Rating | Class A | Class A | Class A | Class A |
| Insurance Discount | Yes — Class 3 tier (10-15% typically) | No impact-based discount | Yes — Class 4 tier (10-28%) | Yes — Class 4 tier (10-28%) |
| Warranty (IHC) | SureStart PLUS + enhanced impact | SureStart PLUS + luxury tier | SureStart PLUS + enhanced impact | SureStart PLUS + enhanced impact + WindProven |
| Best For | Luxury shake aesthetic + hail exposure | Luxury shake aesthetic, non-hail-prone | Standard storm-market default | Exposed elevations + storm |
Why Buy CertainTeed Presidential Shake IR Through IHC
When Presidential Shake IR Is the Right Spec
Presidential Shake IR is a specific-use-case product. It’s the right call when: the homeowner wants the luxury cedar-shake aesthetic (Craftsman, Victorian, custom luxury builds), AND the property has hail exposure concerns (McHenry County storm belt), AND the homeowner accepts Class 3 impact rating (one step below Class 4). For homeowners who need maximum impact (Class 4) more than they need luxury aesthetic, Landmark ClimateFlex or NorthGate ClimateFlex are better choices. For homeowners who want luxury aesthetic without impact rating, standard Presidential Shake or Presidential Shake TL are the tier picks.
IHC crews install Presidential Shake IR using the same Integrity Roof System spec as other CertainTeed products: matching starter, CertainTeed ridge caps, synthetic underlayment, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, proper attic ventilation. The triple-laminate construction and SBS modification increase bundle weight somewhat over standard Landmark; our crews train on the Presidential Shake install profile specifically.
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Notes From the Field — What We Actually Install
I’ve installed Presidential Shake IR on a few specific McHenry County projects where the homeowner wanted the luxury cedar-shake aesthetic AND impact resistance for hail. Our most common Presidential Shake IR orders have been on Queen Anne Victorian restorations in Woodstock (where the architectural period calls for the shake look AND the exposed roofline sees hail) and custom Craftsman builds in Crystal Lake (where the homeowner wanted insurance-discount eligibility without compromising the specified cedar-shake aesthetic). It’s a niche product but the right answer when the use case lines up.
Install spec: 6-nail pattern standard for upgraded wind warranty and impact-load distribution. Exposure at 5 inches per CertainTeed Presidential spec (tighter than standard Landmark). 6-inch minimum course stagger to prevent visible pattern repeat (critical for luxury shake aesthetic — pattern repeat gives away a low-end install). Ridge caps are CertainTeed Shangle or equivalent matched to Presidential profile (standard 12-inch ridge caps look undersized against triple-laminate exposure). We run full Integrity Roof System on every Presidential install for SureStart PLUS warranty eligibility.
For homeowners weighing Presidential Shake IR vs standard Presidential Shake TL, the question is whether Class 3 impact rating (and associated insurance discount) is worth the premium over non-IR standard Presidential. For properties with documented hail history or high-exposure elevations, the IR version pays back over a 20-year horizon through insurance discount and fewer claim events. For properties in sheltered locations without hail concerns, standard Presidential Shake TL is the right tier (more aesthetic depth, no impact-rating premium). I’ll walk through both with sample boards during the consultation.
Other CertainTeed Products We Install
Every CertainTeed shingle line we install. IHC is SELECT ShingleMaster certified — fewer than 1% of U.S. roofers. SureStart PLUS warranty coverage available on every product.
CertainTeed
Landmark
Standard architectural / workhorse
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Pro
Premium / Max Def / 20% heavier
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Premium
Maximum dual-layer / heaviest in Landmark family
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark ClimateFlex
Class 4 impact / insurance discount
Explore →
CertainTeed
NorthGate ClimateFlex
Premium Class 4 / 160 mph WindProven
Explore →
CertainTeed
Presidential Shake TL
Luxury / triple-laminate shake look
Explore →
CertainTeed
Grand Manor
Ultra-premium / 320 lbs per square
Explore →
Ready to Spec Luxury Shake + Hail Protection?
We come to your home, discuss the architectural aesthetic and storm exposure, and walk you through Presidential Shake IR alongside standard Presidential Shake TL for direct comparison. Free estimate.
Visit Our Crystal Lake Showroom
4410 IL-176, Suite 1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Mon–Fri 9AM–4PM | Appointments available 24/7 via AI receptionist
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the IR in Presidential Shake IR stand for?
Impact Resistant. Presidential Shake IR is the SBS-modified impact-resistant version of the standard Presidential Shake luxury asphalt shingle. The IR designation indicates the shingle passes UL 2218 Class 3 impact testing. Standard Presidential Shake and Presidential Shake TL don’t have the IR designation and aren’t impact-rated.
Is Class 3 impact as good as Class 4?
No — Class 4 is the highest UL 2218 impact rating. Class 3 is one tier below. The difference: Class 4 passes a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet; Class 3 passes a 1.75-inch ball dropped from 17 feet. Both are legitimate impact ratings; Class 4 represents a meaningfully more severe hail event. For McHenry County exposure, Class 4 products (Landmark ClimateFlex, NorthGate ClimateFlex) offer better maximum hail protection. Presidential Shake IR’s Class 3 rating is appropriate for homeowners who want the luxury shake aesthetic AND impact resistance, accepting that the rating is one step below Class 4.
What insurance discount does Class 3 qualify for?
Typically smaller than Class 4 — most Illinois carriers offer 10 to 15 percent premium discount for Class 3 rated roofing, versus 10 to 28 percent for Class 4. Exact discount structure varies by carrier and state. Some carriers only offer discounts for Class 4. We help confirm your specific carrier’s discount structure during the consultation and provide the Class 3 certification documentation they require.
Can I get the Presidential Shake aesthetic with Class 4 impact?
No — Presidential Shake IR is the only CertainTeed Presidential Shake variant with impact rating, and it’s Class 3 (not Class 4). For Class 4 impact AND luxury shake aesthetic, the product category gap has to be filled by composite/synthetic alternatives (F-Wave REVIA or Brava Cedar Shake — both Class 4 impact with cedar-shake aesthetic, both synthetic/composite rather than asphalt). We install both. For asphalt-only Class 4 with luxury aesthetic, that specific combination doesn’t exist in CertainTeed’s current lineup.
What’s the warranty on Presidential Shake IR?
CertainTeed Limited Lifetime material warranty PLUS enhanced impact coverage specific to the IR designation. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product qualifies for SureStart PLUS: 50-year non-prorated material coverage plus 25-year workmanship coverage. Enhanced impact coverage adds on top of SureStart PLUS. The warranty stack is among the strongest in residential roofing.
Should I spec Presidential Shake IR or Presidential Shake TL?
Depends on your site hail exposure. Presidential Shake TL: luxury flagship with triple-laminate construction for maximum aesthetic depth and lifespan. No impact rating. Right for most luxury shake projects. Presidential Shake IR: SBS-modified impact-resistant version. Class 3 impact rating. Right for luxury shake projects with hail exposure concerns or insurance discount motivation. Both give the luxury cedar-shake aesthetic. The choice is impact-rating vs maximum aesthetic depth and lifespan.
