Trying to decide which brand or shingle is right for you?
We’ve all made purchases before that we later felt we just didn’t get the value we expected, right? Maybe it was a small purchase like a radio or phone. Or maybe a larger purchase like an appliance or even a car. That feeling sucks, right.
Well, a roof replacement is a big and important investment. One that we’ll have to live with for a pretty long time. So choosing the best shingle is very important.
We get it.
If you need to replace the shingles on your home and want to make sure you're making the best decision in a shingle brand, you’ve come to the right place.
Every roofer that has been roofing any length of time will have a brand they prefer. Most roofers have a least one brand that they recommend to homeowners. There could be many reasons why they recommend one brand over another. And some reasons may not include you getting the best shingle for your home. Such as kickbacks or rebates from the manufacturer.
While GAF and CertainTeed are top shingle brands they do have some differences. RoofCrafters is a GAF Master Elite Contractor and A CertainTeed Select Shingle Master. These factory-trained certification programs are the two highest levels that each offers. And we’ve been installing their shingles for 3 decades. So we can honestly say we know the ins and outs of both these brands.
Including all the fine print and performance stuff that should be important to you.
Now we’re going to share that information with you.
In this article, we'll cover the following:
- About the Brands (GAF & CertainTeed)
- Types of shingles each brand offers
- Warranties (wind, algae, material, workmanship)
So that hopefully by the end of this article, you’ll be the most educated homeowner around and you’ll feel more confident choosing one of GAF’s or one of CertainTeed's shingles for your upcoming roof replacement project.
Let’s dive in.
Comparing CertainTeed and GAF: Legacy and Leadership in Roofing
CertainTeed and GAF have been around for quite some time. So, let's start by reviewing the background and size of these companies. Then we will explain why it matters to us and you.
GAF's Roofing Excellence: A Century-Old Legacy of Protection
GAF is an American manufacturing company founded in 1886. GAF is an acronym for General Aniline and Film. They are the leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing in North America. They have more than 2 dozen manufacturing plants here in the US. They have over 3,000 employees and sell over 3 billion dollars worth of roofing materials worldwide.
Their trademark slogan: “We Protect What Matters Most”
CertainTeed's Tradition of Quality: Over a Century of Building Excellence
CertainTeed was founded in 1904 as, General Roofing Manufacturing Company. Today, CertainTeed is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products. Including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum, and ceilings.
CertainTeed has helped shape the building products industry for more than 110 years. Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products. CertainTeed has more than 6,300 employees. They have more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
Their name was derived and changed in 1917 from their slogan.
“Quality made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed”
The Importance of Manufacturer Reliability for Contractors and Homeowners
We need to believe in the roofing manufacturer that offers consumers lifetime warranties. We must believe in their stability. Their commitment to providing excellent roofing products and continued warranty service. To us as the contractors who install their shingles and to you as the consumer who lives under their roofing materials.
Let’s say we offer a product from a manufacturer and then later on that manufacturer does not honor their warranty. It will make us look bad as the contractor who offered you the shingles. We will lose your trust, right?
Our business is built on trust!
You trust us as your contractor. So, we expect that you trust that we have done the research and we are only using products and brands that we believe in. Brands that we trust to use in our homes.
If one of their products should fail before the stated warranty period. If we have an issue and we need their help, we trust that they will be here for us and honor their warranty.
Trust is important for us. We take it very seriously and hope you do as well.
Types of Shingles GAF Offers
Of the two manufacturers, GAF has the least products to offer with 5 shingle types. Because GAF just brought their upgraded architectural shingles back into production. After adding the new Layerlock Technology and StainGuard Plus.
- 3-Tab shingles called Royal Sovereign
- Architectural shingles called Timberline HDZ
- Upgraded architectural shingles called Timberline UHDZ
- Designer shingles called Slateline, Woodlawn, and Camelot II
- Solar Shingles called Timberline Solar
Types of Shingles CertainTeed Offers
CertainTeed has the largest selection of shingles. With designer shingles and an upgraded architectural shingle if you're looking to increase your home's curb appeal.
- 3-Tab shingles called XT 25
- Architectural shingles called Landmark
- Upgraded architectural shingles called Landmark Pro
- Designer shingles called Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont, Presidential Shake, and Highland Slate
- Solar shingles which are named Apollo II and Apollo Tile II
We’d like to also add that both brands have impact-resistant shingles. GAF offers a cool series shingle or energy-efficient shingle that reflects the sun better.
GAF and CertainTeed Shingle Warranties
Now let's discuss the fine print. What do you get when you purchase a GAF warranty? And what do you get if you choose the CertainTeed warranty? We must clarify that we’re discussing warranties that you’ll get going with one of their factory-certified contractors.
A CertainTeed Select Shingle Master or a GAF Master Elite Contractor. Because if you choose to use a non-factory-certified contractor, there's a huge difference in the warranty coverage. This is important if you desire peace of mind. fair enough?
The warranties break down into 4 categories:
- Wind
- Algae
- Materials
- Workmanship
Wind Warranty on Shingles
3-Tab Shingles:
GAF’s Royal Sovereign 3-tabs come with a 60 MPH wind warranty for 15 years
CertainTeed's XT 25 3-tabs come with a 60 MPH wind warranty for 5 years
Architectural Shingles:
CertainTeed’s Landmark comes with a 110 MPH wind warranty for 15 years. They can be upgraded using the CertainTeed starter and CertainTeed hip and ridge shingles.
GAF’s Timberline HDZ shingle comes with a 110 MPH without special installation instructions. They can be upgraded to 130 MPH 4 nailing and install GAF starter strips on eaves and rakes. They also can be upgraded to an industry-leading 15-year unlimited wind speed warranty using 4 qualifying products.
Upgraded Architectural Shingles:
CertainTeed’s Landmark Pro shingle comes with a 110 MPH wind warranty for 15 years. They can be upgraded to 130 MPH using the CertainTeed starter and CertainTeed hip and ridge shingles.
GAF's Timberline UHDZ comes with a 110 MPH. They also can be upgraded to the 15-year Unlimited wind speed warranty using 4 qualifying products.
Designer Shingles:
Both brands come with a 110 MPH wind warranty for 15 years. Both can be upgraded to 130 MPH following their installation instructions.
Algae Warranty on Shingles
3-Tab Shingles:
GAF’s Royal Sovereign 3-tabs come with a 10-year StainGuard warranty.
CertainTeed’s XT 25 3-tabs come with a 10-year StreakFighter warranty.
Architectural Shingles:
CertainTeed’s Landmark comes with a 10-year StreakFighter warranty.
GAF’s Timberline HDZ shingle comes with a 25-year StainGuard Plus warranty.
Upgraded Architectural Shingles:
CertainTeed’s Landmark Pro comes with a 15-year StreakFighter warranty.
GAF's Timberline UHDZ comes with an industry-leading 30-year StainGuard Plus warranty.
Designer Shingles:
CertainTeed’s designer shingles come with a 15-year StreakFighter warranty.
GAF’s designer shingles come with a 25-year StainGuard Plus warranty.
Shingle Material Warranties
3-Tab Shingles:
GAF’s Royal Sovereign 3-tabs come with a 25-year warranty with 5-Star Protection.
CertainTeed’s XT 25 3-tabs come with a 25-year warranty with the Golden Pledge warranty.
Architectural Shingles:
GAF’s Timberline HDZ shingles come with a lifetime warranty with the Golden Pledge warranty. 50 years non-prorated for single-family residential properties. (100% coverage for 50 years) And for all commercial properties(Gov’t, churches, schools, or multi-family) the non-prorated portion is 40 years.
CertainTeed’s architectural shingles, the Landmark come with a lifetime warranty with 5-Star protection. 50 years non-prorated for single-family residential homes. And for all commercial or multi-family properties, the non-prorated portion is 30 years.
Upgraded Architectural Shingles:
GAF’s Timberline UHDZ shingles come with a lifetime material warranty with the Golden Pledge warranty. 50 years non-prorated for single-family residential properties. (100% coverage for 50 years) And for all commercial properties(Gov’t, churches, schools, or multi-family) the non-prorated portion is 40 years.
CertainTeed’s Landmark Pro comes with a lifetime warranty with 5-star protection. 50 years non-prorated for single-family residential homes. And for all commercial or multi-family properties, the non-prorated portion is 30 years.
Designer Shingles:
GAF’s designer shingles come with a lifetime material warranty with the Golden Pledge Warranty. The non-prorated portion is 50 years. (100% coverage for 50 years) And they’re prorated after 50 years. For all commercial properties(Gov’t, churches, schools, or multi-family) the non-prorated portion is 40 years.
CertainTeed’s designer shingles come with a lifetime warranty with 5-Star Protection. 50 years non-prorated for single-family residential homes. And for all commercial or multi-family properties, the non-prorated portion is 30 years.
As you can see both manufacturers offer high-quality products and top-tier warranties. Warranties that'll provide you with security and peace of mind for many years to come.
Choosing the Ideal Shingle Brand: Type, Style, and Protection
Selecting the perfect shingle brand is a personal decision that hinges on your unique preferences. Do you favor a particular aesthetic appeal or need enhanced durability due to local weather conditions?
Perhaps you want to prevent algae growth or find a color that matches your home's exterior. To make it easier to decide between CertainTeed and GAF's premium offerings, focus on the features that are most important to you. Both brands offer long warranties to protect your roof investment and give you peace of mind.
Looking for help? We know choosing a style, color, or warranty from either brand can be overwhelming. So, if you live in one of our service areas, RoofCrafters has been protecting families one roof at a time for 3 decades. We’re a GAF Master Elite and CertainTeed Select Shingle Master. We’d be happy to come out to your home and go over the different options available for your roof replacement.
Also, feel free to try out our pricing calculator to get an idea of your roof costs, it's free!
