Designing durable buildings means planning for the realities of their environment. In regions exposed to extreme weather, natural forces like hail can pose a serious threat to the long-term performance of a building envelope.
Selecting exterior wall panel materials that can withstand repeated hail impact isn’t just a matter of aesthetics; it can make a measurable difference in protecting a project’s investment over time.
In this blog, we’ll explore what to look for in a hail-resistant wall panel material, why hail performance is becoming increasingly important for architects and specifiers, and how high-performance phenolic panels can help future-proof buildings in hail-prone regions.
Hail damage is a recurring and costly reality in many parts of North America, especially regions that are more prone to hailstorms. As storms increase in frequency and severity, exterior materials are being tested beyond what many conventional cladding systems were designed to withstand.
One key example is Alberta’s “Hailstorm Alley,” notorious for its severe and frequent hail events. In 2024, a major hailstorm in Calgary caused an estimated $2.8 billion in insured losses, making it one of the most expensive natural disasters in Canadian history.
In response, conversations have emerged urging a shift toward more resilient construction materials, as commonly used materials, like asphalt shingles and vinyl siding, perform poorly under large hail impact, often cracking, puncturing, or requiring full replacement after recent storms.
As a result of recent hailstorms’ severity, insurance providers in Alberta and other high-risk regions are increasingly discussing factoring material resilience into coverage decisions and implications.
In fact, insurance companies may offer a combination of premium incentives or reduced deductibles for buildings that proactively upgrade roofs and façades with proven hail-resistant systems.
While codes are still evolving, pressure is mounting to update exterior material standards in hail-exposed regions. Considerations have evolved around proposed changes to include stricter performance requirements for siding materials and more robust installation standards designed to reduce damage during severe storms.
Beyond insurance and compliance, repeated hail damage leads to frequent repairs, premature replacements, and increased construction waste. Builders estimate that upgrading to hail-resistant siding can dramatically reduce long-term damage risk, translating into fewer claims, less downtime, and lower lifecycle costs.
Hail resistance is most evident when backed by rigorous testing. Fundermax subjects its exterior phenolic panels to some of the most demanding impact evaluations available.
Fundermax panels are tested under the Austrian Public Building Insurance Companies (APBIC) standard. In this test, 2.75-inch diameter ice balls are fired at the panels at 67 mph from a distance of approximately 15–20 inches.
Across all impact points, Fundermax panels showed no breakage, chipping, discoloration, or tearing, effectively absorbing severe hail strikes without visible damage. This level of performance exceeds even the highest Class 4 impact expectations, providing specifiers with confidence in real-world storm conditions.
Ice balls up to 2-3/4” in diameter are loaded into a firing device to be shot at Fundermax panels at a speed of 67 miles per hour.
While other resilient materials, such as fiber cement, stucco, or brick, can reduce hail damage, phenolic panels meet or exceed these levels of robustness with longevity, while also offering non-progressive, exposed fastening systems for single-panel replacement.
Beyond strong resistance to hail and other extreme weather events, choosing Max Compact Exterior phenolic panels delivers a number of benefits, including:
Ease of installation & maintenance
Aesthetic versatility
Sustainability
Versatility
Long-term value
Shift Residential House in Canada was built to adapt to its surroundings. Max Compact Exterior panels endure the low temperatures, providing the durability required by the region.
For projects located in hail-prone regions, exterior material selection is a critical design decision. For the most optimal return on investment, architects and specifiers should prioritize cladding systems that combine verified hail-impact testing, weather-resistant construction, and long-term durability.
With rigorous third-party testing, a wide range of decors, flexible installation systems, and a number of additional performance benefits, Fundermax phenolic panels offer a future-ready solution that helps protect building envelopes and, therefore, project budgets, from the growing risks of severe hail events.
Contact us today to learn how Fundermax phenolic panels can support resilient, high-performance façades for your next project.