IKO Shingles We Install in the Chicago Suburbs

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ArmourZone: why nail placement is the IKO story

Most wind failures on asphalt roofs start with fasteners in the wrong place. A nail set too high misses the lower layer of a laminated shingle; one set too low shows through the course above. IKO’s answer on Dynasty and Nordic is ArmourZone, a nailing area about 1¼ inches wide. IKO compares that with the roughly ⅞-inch target on a standard shingle. The band is backed with a tear-resistant reinforcement, so a nail inside it has more material to hold against uplift.

The practical benefit is consistency. On a cut-up roof with dormers and valleys, a wide, clearly marked zone keeps every row of nails in the right place, even late in the day. On Cambridge, the higher wind coverage depends on the nail count instead: six nails per shingle.

Choosing between IKO Cambridge, Dynasty and Nordic

Cambridge fits a straightforward reroof on a protected lot: a ranch tucked between neighbors, or a home where budget drives the decision. It is a laminated, fiberglass-reinforced shingle with algae resistance built in, the IKO counterpart to the other brands’ architectural shingles.

Dynasty makes sense when wind exposure is the concern, such as a two-story on a corner lot or a house backing onto open fields or a retention pond. It adds ArmourZone and a Class 3 impact rating.

Nordic is the one to price where hail is the concern. It carries a Class 4 rating under both UL 2218 and FM 4473, the classification some insurers ask about. IKO notes that impact ratings exist mainly for insurance premium purposes and that a shingle’s impact resistance can decline as it ages.

IKO shingles against Illinois hail, wind and winter

Chicago-area roofs see all three stresses in one year: hail cells in late spring, straight-line winds with summer storms, and freeze-thaw cycling from November through March. Matching the IKO tier to the house is mostly about which of those hits your street hardest. Hail-prone neighborhoods point toward Nordic, while exposed elevations point toward Dynasty or Nordic for the ArmourZone strip.

Winter is about what goes under the shingles. Ice barrier membrane along the eaves and in valleys, a clear path for intake and exhaust ventilation through the soffits and ridge, and sealed attic bypasses do far more against ice dams than any shingle upgrade. If your last roof had ice dams, read our ice dam guide before choosing a tier.

Five questions to settle on an IKO roofing quote

1. Tear-off or overlay? IKO’s extended Iron Clad coverage is void if shingles go over an existing layer. A cheaper overlay quote may quietly give up that coverage.
2. Four nails or six? On Cambridge, the higher wind coverage depends on six nails per shingle, so the quote should state the pattern.
3. Which tier and color? “IKO architectural” is not specific enough; the quote should say Cambridge, Dynasty or Nordic.
4. Are the accessories named? Starter, hip and ridge, ice and water protection and underlayment should be listed as products, not “misc.”
5. Which warranty? Ask whether the standard limited warranty or an extended Iron Clad warranty will apply, and who applies for it.

For a side-by-side look at impact-rated options from several manufacturers, see our impact-resistant shingles page.

How IKO warranties are structured

IKO’s standard limited warranty covers manufacturing defects. The longest term applies when the original owner of a single-family home is the warranty holder; other building types and owners get a fixed term instead. Wind coverage depends on the shingle and the nailing pattern. Above the standard warranty, IKO offers an extended Iron Clad Protection limited warranty available through contractors the manufacturer has certified at the ROOFPRO Select or Craftsman Premier level. IKO states that this extended coverage does not include the contractor’s workmanship, that the contractor must apply for it, and that installing shingles over an existing layer voids it. Current terms are posted at iko.com.

ALTA installs IKO products. We do not currently hold a IKO manufacturer credential, so enhanced warranties that require one are not offered on our installations; your estimate names the warranty that applies.

Where IKO fits best

• Budget-conscious replacements where a dependable laminated shingle is the priority
• Windy, open sites where a wider reinforced nailing strip makes correct fastening easier
• Hail-exposed homes that need a Class 4 shingle in a mainstream price range

Product information last reviewed November 5, 2026. Always confirm current specifications and warranty terms at iko.com/na.

IKO questions

What is the difference between IKO Dynasty and IKO Nordic?

Both use the ArmourZone reinforced nailing strip. Dynasty is rated Class 3 for impact; Nordic is rated Class 4 under UL 2218 and FM 4473, which makes it the IKO choice for hail-prone areas and for insurers that ask about impact class.

Does an IKO shingle warranty cover hail damage?

No. IKO states that its impact ratings are for insurance premium purposes and are not a warranty against hail, and hail damage is excluded from its limited warranty. Storm damage is a homeowners insurance matter, and the coverage decision belongs to your insurer.

Can IKO shingles be installed over my old roof?

Local code may allow a second layer in some cases, but IKO’s extended ROOFPRO Iron Clad coverage is void when shingles are installed over an existing layer. A tear-off also lets the deck be inspected and repaired, which is usually the better choice.