Строительная компания в Альберте ввела в стандарты строительства крыши, устойчивые к граду

An Alberta homebuilder has made hail-resistant roofing standard on all of its new single-family homes as the Insurance Bureau of Canada renews calls for tougher construction standards in hail-prone areas. Related Stories: - Mountain View lifts fire restriction as advisories remain nearby - Olds reminds residents of elm pruning ban, Dutch elm disease precautions - Alberta provides 245 personnel as B.C. battles 101 active wildfires The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said Homes by Avi became the first large-volume homebuilder in Alberta to make hail-resistant roofing a standard feature across its new single-family homes beginning Aug. 1. The roofing is designed to better withstand severe hail and wind and help reduce damage, according to IBC. The industry association also said using hail-resistant roofing and siding can reduce home insurance premiums by up to 50 per cent in high-risk areas such as Calgary because the materials reduce the risk of damage and insurance claims. "Homes by Avi is demonstrating the kind of leadership we need to better protect homeowners and families from the new weather reality Albertans are facing," said Aaron Sutherland, vice-president, Pacific and Western, at IBC. "The use of hail-resistant materials should become standard practice for all new home construction in hail-prone areas to help improve the resilience of homes and the affordability of insurance coverage." IBC calls for tougher construction standards IBC is calling on governments to expand measures aimed at reducing hail damage. In Calgary, the association said those measures should include reviving the city's Resilient Roofing Rebate Program, requiring hail-resistant roofing and siding for new construction in high-risk areas and improving hail notification services. Some insurers are also offering financial incentives to homeowners who retrofit their properties with hail-resistant materials, according to IBC. "With insurers stepping up to make it more attractive for homeowners to invest in hail-resistant retrofits, IBC is strongly encouraging the government to come to the table with additional financial supports for homeowners to make these improvements," Sutherland said. "Building more resilient homes and communities will not only protect Albertans, it will also save them money." IBC cites billions in hail damage Alberta has experienced eight catastrophic weather events so far in 2026, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in insured damage, IBC said. The association said the province has experienced a major hailstorm every year for the past decade, causing more than $8 billion in insured damage. In a June release, IBC said the 2024 Calgary hailstorm generated more than 130,000 insurance claims and more than $3 billion in insured damage. IBC described it as the second-costliest disaster in Canadian history, behind the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire. The association has also called for provincial incentives to help homeowners retrofit properties with hail-resistant materials. Have a news tip, story idea, photo or video? Send it to [email protected]. You can also follow and message us on Facebook and X at @AIR1061FM.