The quickest way to tell hail damage from wind damage: hail leaves random bruises, granule loss, and fractured shingles (and dents on metal), while wind leaves creased, lifted, torn, or missing shingles, worst at the edges, hips, and ridges. Both can be hard to see from the ground — and hail damage in particular is often latent — so a documented professional inspection is the reliable way to know what hit your Cheyenne roof.
Quick answer
Hail damage = random bruising, granule loss (granules in gutters), fractured shingle mats, and dents on metal. Wind damage = creased, lifted, torn, or missing shingles, worst at eaves/hips/ridges from seal failure. Much hail damage is invisible from the ground and can be cumulative, so get a documented inspection within a few days of the storm.
| Sign | Hail damage | Wind damage |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Random, scattered hits | Along edges, hips & ridges |
| Shingles | Bruises, granule loss, fractures | Creased, lifted, torn, missing |
| Granules | Collecting in gutters | Some loss where tabs lift |
| Metal | Dents on flashing, vents, gutters | Bent or peeled flashing |
| Visibility | Often latent / hard to see | Missing shingles can be obvious |
| Root cause | Impact | Broken seal + uplift |
What does hail damage look like?
Hail strikes leave three main kinds of damage, per the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS): granule loss, dents or bruising, and tears or fractures in the shingle mat. Granule loss strips the shingle’s protective surface and exposes the asphalt to UV, which then embrittles. On metal roofs, hail usually causes denting. The hits are typically random and scattered — a key difference from wind.
What does wind damage look like?
Wind damage is about the seal. IBHS notes that the most important factor in an asphalt shingle’s high-wind performance is the strength of the adhesive seal between shingles. Once that seal breaks, wind gets under the tab and lifts it, exposing more surface to the wind and driving progressive creasing, tearing, and tab loss — usually worst at the eaves, hips, and ridges. Creasing is the hallmark visible sign of true wind damage. If you have wind damage, see our wind damage roof repair service.
Why hail damage is often invisible from the ground
This is the part homeowners miss. IBHS research has found that shingles repeatedly hit by smaller “sub-severe” hail, combined with normal weathering, become far more susceptible to future damage — effectively aging the roof much faster. Sub-severe hail is far more common than large hail, so damage accumulates quietly until the roof fails. That’s why a storm that “didn’t look that bad” can still have compromised your roof, and why a close, documented inspection matters. For hail-specific restoration, see our hail damage roof restoration page.
Do impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles help in Cheyenne?
They can. The UL 2218 standard rates shingle impact resistance from Class 1 to Class 4, with Class 4 the highest — a shingle that withstands a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without the mat cracking. Class 4 is the rating most insurers recognize for premium discounts, which makes it worth considering in Cheyenne’s hail-prone climate. Compare your options in our guide to the best roofing materials for Wyoming weather.
What should I do if I suspect storm damage?
Document it and get a professional inspection quickly. Follow our what to do after hail damage checklist, and if the damage is insurable, read how to file your roof insurance claim in Wyoming. Ready now? Book a free roof assessment. This post is part of our complete Cheyenne hail & storm damage guide.
Written & reviewed by the Pete’s Builders team
Pete’s Builders is a locally owned Cheyenne, Wyoming roofing contractor serving homeowners and businesses since 2015. Our crews inspect, document, and repair hail- and wind-damaged roofs across Cheyenne, Laramie, Burns, and Scottsbluff through every storm season, and we help homeowners document damage for their insurance claims. We are licensed & insured, A+ rated by the BBB, an NRCA member, and OSHA-30 certified.
📍 1816 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001 · 📞 (307) 514-5489
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Coverage, deadlines, and deductibles vary by policy — always read your own policy and, when in doubt, contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Look for random bruises or soft spots on shingles, missing granules (often collecting in gutters and downspouts), fractured shingle mats, and dents on metal flashing, vents, and gutters. Because much of this is hard to see from the ground and some hail damage is latent, a documented professional inspection is the reliable way to confirm it.
What does wind damage look like on a roof?
Wind damage shows up as creased, lifted, torn, or missing shingles, usually worst at the eaves, hips, and ridges. IBHS notes the key factor in a shingle’s wind performance is the strength of the seal between shingles; once that seal breaks, wind lifts the tab and damage progresses.
Can hail damage really be invisible from the ground?
Yes. IBHS research has found that repeated smaller, sub-severe hail combined with normal weathering makes shingles far more susceptible to future damage over time — so a roof can be compromised even after a storm that didn’t look severe. Latent granule loss and mat fractures often aren’t visible without a close inspection.
Are impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles worth it in Cheyenne?
They can be. UL 2218 rates shingle impact resistance Class 1–4, with Class 4 the highest — tested by dropping a 2-inch steel ball from 20 feet without the mat cracking. Class 4 is the rating most insurers recognize for premium discounts, which is worth considering in a hail-prone area like Cheyenne.
How soon should I get a roof inspection after a storm?
Within a few days. Prompt, documented inspection protects your roof and your insurance claim, since many policies require timely reporting and it’s easier to tie damage to a specific storm date.