December 4, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Builders in Alberta are moving quickly to adjust to harsher weather, with two new projects in the Calgary area experimenting with materials that can better withstand hail and strong winds.
The aim is to create a model for storm-resilient housing nationwide.
Last August, a severe hailstorm tore through Calgary, causing nearly $2.8 billion in insured losses, the second-costliest weather disaster in Canadian history, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The event has prompted builders and insurers to rethink construction standards.
Chris Williams, president of Avalon Master Builder, says the pilot projects are testing exterior and structural materials built for extreme conditions.
“The products you can see on the outside are the siding and shingles,” Williams said. “We’re using Ico Nordic shingles, which are class-four hail resistant, and LP SmartSide, which is also hail resistant.
“But there’s a lot happening behind the scenes too, from nailing patterns and underlayment to bracing and the way we secure the roof to the walls.”
Insurance provider Aviva Canada is contributing $400,000 to the two climate-resilient builds.
Zen Belmont, a multi-unit development in southwest Calgary, is incorporating hail- and wind-resistant upgrades in partnership with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
In Chestermere, Habitat for Humanity is building a 24-unit affordable housing project with similar resilient materials.
Shauna Mamini, Aviva Canada’s assistant vice-president of property portfolio and exposure management, says the purpose is to show that stronger homes don’t have to be out of reach.
“We want these pilot projects to demonstrate that climate-resilient construction is affordable and achievable for the average homeowner,” Mamini said.
For many homeowners, investing in hail-resistant materials could also lead to reduced insurance premiums.
One Calgary resident told CityNews they “would pick the hail-resistant because of insurance cost. It doesn’t matter if the house is more expensive because insurance keeps going up.”
Others are less convinced, saying hail damage isn’t common enough to justify the upgrade.
“I wouldn’t choose those materials just based on price. I’ve only had hail damage once in 20 years,” another resident said.
Williams notes that resilience upgrades aren’t limited to new construction. Homes already damaged by hail or wind can be retrofitted with stronger siding and shingles, often with insurance support.
While hail-resistant siding adds some cost, Williams estimates it’s under five percent for multi-family projects. With Zen Belmont set to finish in summer 2026, builders and insurers hope the two projects will prove that climate-ready homes are realistic, cost-effective, and within reach.
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