IKO Shingle Colors & Class Ratings: Dynasty vs. Nordic

Choosing a new roof involves a lot more than picking a color off a rack. The right shingle needs to look great on your home today, stand up to wind and impact for decades to come, and fit your budget and long-term goals. At Westside Construction, two of the questions we hear most often are about IKO’s Dynasty and Nordic shingle lines — how they compare, what colors are available, and which one makes sense for a given home.

Both Dynasty and Nordic belong to IKO’s Performance shingle collection, and both carry a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH. Where they differ most is impact resistance: IKO rates Dynasty as Class 3 impact resistant and Nordic as Class 4 — the highest classification in the line. Below, we break down colors, ratings, and how to decide between them.

IKO Dynasty® Shingles

IKO Dynasty is IKO’s high-performance architectural shingle, built around IKO’s ArmourZone® reinforced nailing surface for a wider, more forgiving nailing target during installation. Dynasty uses enhanced color blends for extra depth and dimension, carries a Class 3 impact-resistance rating, and comes with a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH. Of the two lines, Dynasty offers the broader color selection, which makes it a popular choice for homeowners who want strong performance without narrowing their design options.

Dynasty Performance at a Glance

IKO Dynasty Colors

• Shadow Brown — A rich, predominantly brown blend that works well with traditional and warm-toned homes.
• Granite Black — A bold, deep black appearance for a strong, dramatic roof.
• Driftshake — A weathered brown blend inspired by the look of natural wood shakes.
• Glacier — A dark, dramatic blend with a predominantly black appearance.
• Summit Grey — A versatile grey blend suited to both traditional and contemporary homes.
• Cornerstone WWD — A dimensional blend combining warm brown and grey tones.
• Frostone Grey — A distinctly grey-toned option for a cooler, neutral appearance.
• Brownstone — A warm brown blend that complements brick, stone, and earth-tone exteriors.
• Monaco Red — A distinctive red-toned option for homeowners who want more character and contrast.
• Biscayne — A multi-tone blend incorporating beige, grey, and darker tones.
• Atlantic Blue — A distinctive blue-toned roofing option.
• Emerald Green — A rich green option for a more distinctive exterior.
• Olde Style Weatherwood — A classic weathered wood-inspired brown blend.
• Sentinel Slate — A darker blend incorporating black, grey, and subtle red tones.

IKO Nordic™ Shingles

IKO Nordic sits at the top of IKO’s Performance shingle collection. It’s built with polymer-modified asphalt for added flexibility and durability, along with the same ArmourZone® nailing surface used in Dynasty. Nordic carries a Class 4 impact-resistance rating — the highest classification IKO offers — plus a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH. The trade-off is a smaller color palette and more limited market availability, since Nordic is currently offered in six colors in select markets.

Nordic Performance at a Glance

IKO Nordic Colors

The current Nordic lineup includes six colors:

• Shadow Brown — Rich brown tones with a traditional appearance.
• Granite Black — Deep black for a bold, sophisticated roof.
• Driftshake — Weathered brown tones with a shake-inspired appearance.
• Glacier — A dramatic dark, near-black blend.
• Summit Grey — A versatile grey-toned blend.
• Olde Style Weatherwood — A classic weathered brown, wood-inspired appearance.

IKO Dynasty vs. Nordic: What’s the Difference?

In short: Dynasty gives you more color choices and broader availability with strong Class 3 performance. Nordic gives you the highest impact-resistance classification IKO offers, along with polymer-modified asphalt, in a smaller palette and depending on where you live. Neither is a “wrong” choice — it comes down to what matters most for your roof and your home.

What Does Class 3 vs. Class 4 Impact Resistance Mean?

Impact-resistance ratings sound technical, but the idea behind them is straightforward. Both classes come from the same industry testing standard; they just represent different levels of performance within it.

Class 3 Impact Resistance

Dynasty shingles carry an FM 4473 / UL 2218 Class 3 impact-resistance rating. This rating comes from a lab test in which steel balls of a specified size and weight are dropped onto the shingle to measure how well it resists cracking and splitting on impact.

Class 4 Impact Resistance

Nordic shingles carry an FM 4473 / UL 2218 Class 4 rating — the highest classification available under this testing standard.

Which IKO Shingle Is Right for Your Home?

Choose Dynasty If:

• You want a high-performance architectural shingle.
• Class 3 impact resistance meets your needs.
• You want the widest selection of colors.
• You want a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH.
• You’re looking for the best balance of appearance, performance, and value.

Consider Nordic If:

• Maximum impact resistance is your top priority.
• You specifically want Class 4 impact resistance.
• One of Nordic’s six colors fits your home.
• You want the added durability of polymer-modified asphalt.
• Nordic is available in your market.
• You want IKO’s highest-performing shingle in the Performance collection.

IKO Shingle Color Comparison

Color availability can vary by market and change over time, so we always recommend confirming current options with your Westside Construction representative or IKO’s official color gallery before finalizing your selection.

Why Shingle Color Matters

Your roof covers more visible surface area than almost any other exterior material on your home, which makes color one of the biggest factors in curb appeal. The right shade can tie together brick, siding, stone, and trim; the wrong one can make an otherwise well-designed exterior feel disjointed. Beyond looks, roof color plays into your home’s architectural style, how it fits in with the neighborhood, and even resale value down the road. Rather than choosing a color in isolation, we recommend looking at it alongside the rest of your exterior — and thinking about how it will read from the street today and to a future buyer years from now.

How to Choose the Right Roof Color

If Your Home Has Brick

Look at the dominant undertone in your brick — warm red, brown, or cooler grey — and choose a shingle color that complements it rather than competes with it.

If Your Home Has Siding

Coordinate your roof color with your siding and trim as a set. You don’t need an exact match; you need colors that feel like they belong together.

If You Have Stone

Pull a shingle color from one of the tones already present in your stone rather than introducing an unrelated color to the mix.

If You Want a Modern Look

Consider Granite Black, Glacier, or Summit Grey for a cleaner, more contemporary roofline.

If You Want a Traditional Look

Shadow Brown, Brownstone, and Olde Style Weatherwood lean into a classic, timeless appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IKO Dynasty and Nordic?

Dynasty carries a Class 3 impact-resistance rating, while Nordic carries Class 4, the highest classification in IKO’s Performance line. Both come with a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH.

Is IKO Nordic better than Dynasty?

Nordic has the higher impact-resistance classification and uses polymer-modified asphalt, but “better” depends on your priorities. Dynasty offers more colors and broader availability, so the best choice comes down to what matters most for your home.

Do Dynasty and Nordic have the same wind rating?

Yes. Both lines carry a limited wind warranty up to 130 MPH.

What colors are available in Nordic?

Nordic is currently available in six colors: Shadow Brown, Granite Black, Driftshake, Glacier, Summit Grey, and Olde Style Weatherwood.

What colors are available in Dynasty?

Dynasty offers a wider palette, including Shadow Brown, Granite Black, Driftshake, Glacier, Summit Grey, Cornerstone WWD, Frostone Grey, Brownstone, Monaco Red, Biscayne, Atlantic Blue, Emerald Green, Olde Style Weatherwood, and Sentinel Slate.

Does Class 4 mean the roof cannot be damaged by hail?

No. Class 4 is a laboratory impact-resistance classification, not a guarantee against hail damage. IKO’s limited warranty does not cover hail damage.