The extent of the hail damage to your roof during a storm depends on the size of the hail and also the strength and direction of the wind. Damage to your shingles may not be visible at first but may eventually lead to leaks or water damage to the interior of your home. If you are concerned about the integrity of your roof following a strong storm, it may be in your best interest to have an experienced roofing contractor inspect your shingles to assess the need for repair or replacement.
Ceramic granules are imbedded in asphalt shingles to protect the shingle from the sun. Granule loss is exacerbated by hail damage which causes soft spots in the shingles and loosens granules. After a hail storm, look for loose granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your gutter downspouts. This indicates that the protective coating of your shingles is wearing away which can lead to bald spots and cracked or curled shingles which put you at risk for leaks. High winds can also cause damage to your shingles by lifting the shingles and even ripping and tearing them through the nails. In some cases the shingles may lay flat again much as it did before, making the damage hard to detect. Unfortuantely, once a shingle is torn it is no longer watertight.
Generally installed on older homes and where a more rustic feel is desired, wood siding, whether it be pine, cedar, spruce, or redwood, offers a lot of variety to enhance the look of your home. Wood clapboard consists of beveled wood panels hung horizontally with overlapping joints. Wood plank boards are hung vertically by several means, including board on board, channel and groove, or tongue and groove styles. Wood siding requires a lot of maintenance including painting or staining and caulking. Paint on top of the wood can blister or peel and is prone to chipping from hail and impact from other objects. Repainting or restaining should occur every 5 years or so. The wood itself is also prone to damage from insects and moisture which can lead to warping, rotting, and/or splitting. Properly maintained wood siding can last up to 30 years.
A popular choice for its minimal maintenance and high durability, aluminum siding can also be installed horizontally or vertically. It comes as strips with holes at the top that fasten to flanges that are attached to the top and bottom of the wall. The strips interlock to create a seal against moisture. While aluminum siding is impervious to moisture unlike wood, it can be noisy when impacted with hail and is prone to denting.
Vinyl siding is installed the same way as aluminum, as strips attached to flanges at the top and bottom, and is also available in a variety of colors. Proper vinyl siding installation is important since improperly installed panels are prone to warping and buckling. Also, vinyl siding has been known to crack in cold weather upon impact, but cracked panels are easily replaced. Otherwise, vinyl siding is low maintenance. It experiences none of the painted finish issues that aluminum does since the color is solid all the way through the material itself. This also means that no painting is required and scratches are usually not noticeable.
Whether you are installing windows as part of a new construction or replacing old windows, you should consider installing energy efficient windows. They may initially seem more expensive, but over time they can save you money on electricity and heating bills. If you need more persuading, the 
