Your roof is arguably one of the most critical aspects of your home’s exterior. You could also argue that it is an essential aspect of the interior as it protects everything inside the house. Knowing what you are installing to protect your home and the people inside is vital to replacing your roof. Asphalt roof shingles are a popular roof type for residential homes, and there are quite a few options on the market. When you get a new roof, it can be tough to decide what shingle type to buy. Our team has put together data points on the most popular asphalt roof shingle types from the top manufacturers on the market. Use this comparison guide to help you choose the best shingle from your preferred manufacturer.
What are Asphalt Roof Shingles, and how are they made?
You may think asphalt roof shingles are made entirely of asphalt, but that is not the case. Asphalt shingles, also known as composite shingles, are made of various raw materials, including fiberglass, limestone, asphalt, and stone granules. Additionally, each manufacturer of these shingles uses its unique blend of materials when making their shingles.
There are two primary asphalt roof shingle types; 3-tab and architectural (also known as dimensional). While 3-tab shingles are the lowest cost option, architectural shingles are beginning to take the market by storm due to the dimensional appearance and the longer lifespan of that variety of shingles.
Top shingle manufacturers worldwide include Owens Corning, Certainteed, and GAF. Our shingle comparison guide below will walk you through their most popular products.
Owens Corning Asphalt Roof Shingles
Owens Corning is America’s most trusted roofing brand as a recognized leader in the building industry for more than 75 years. Owens Corning is known for its pink panther logo and dedication to energy efficiency, contractor safety, and more. When you’re looking to hire a roofing company, keep an eye out for Owens Corning certified roofing contractors. To obtain an Owens Corning certification, roofers must pass an installation workmanship inspection, carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance, be screened for financial stability and customer service, and have operated under the same business name for a minimum of three years. Dedicated to providing quality material and workmanship, Owens Corning is an excellent choice for your shingle manufacturer.
These Owens Corning asphalt shingle types are some of the most popular on the market:
Supreme 3 Tab Asphalt Roof Shingles
- Offers a 25-year limited warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 60 MPH
- Offers a 5-year wind protection warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- Options available for Energy Star shingles
- 5-year TRU PROtection non-prorated limited warranty
- The lifespan of up to 25 years
TruDefinition Duration Architectural Shingles
- Offers a limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 130 MPH
- Offers a 15-year wind protection warranty
- 10-year limited algae resistance warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- Options available for Energy Star shingles
- 10-year TRU PROtection non-prorated limited warranty
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
Oakridge Architectural Shingles
- Offers a limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH
- Offers a 15-year wind protection warranty
- 10-year limited algae resistance warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- 10-year TRU PROtection non-prorated limited warranty
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
Berkshire Designer Shingles
- Offers a limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH
- Offers a 15-year wind protection warranty
- 15-year limited algae resistance warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- 10-year TRU PROtection non-prorated limited warranty
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
CertainTeed Asphalt Roof Shingles
As another leading manufacturer in the building industry, Certainteed has helped shape the building products industry for over 110 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company and changed to Certainteed in 1917, this manufacturer is North America’s leading exterior and interior building product brand. When you’re looking to hire a roofing company, keep an eye out for Certainteed’s Shingle Masters. To obtain this certification, a roofing company must have a qualified master shingle applicator and complete a credential course through Certainteed.
These are some of Certainteed’s most popular asphalt shingles in the market:
XT 25 3-Tab Shingles
- 25-year limited transferable warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 60 MPH
- 10-year algae resistance warranty
- 5-year SureStart Protection warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- The lifespan of up to 25 years
Grand Manor Designer Shingles
- Offers transferable limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 130 MPH
- 15-year limited algae resistance warranty
- 10-year SureStart Protection warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
Carriage House Designer Shingles
- Offers transferable limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 130 MPH
- 15-year limited algae resistance warranty
- 10-year SureStart Protection warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
Landmark Architectural Shingles
- Offers transferable limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH
- 10-year limited algae resistance warranty
- 10-year SureStart Protection warranty
- Class A fire resistance
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
GAF Asphalt Roof Shingles
GAF is another leader in the roofing industry. GAF roofs protect 1 in 4 homes in the US. Founded in 1886, GAF, under the name Standard Paint Company, and by 1892, they had released the first ready-to-lay asphalt roofing, called RU-BER-OID. By 1904, they perfected the embedding of colored granules in their asphalt coating (a method still used to this day), and by 1912, they created the first individually cut asphalt shingles. When hiring a roofing company, look for a GAF Master Elite Certified Contractor. To earn this certification, a roofing company must have a valid license and full coverage insurance, have seven years in the roofing industry, and be a Better Business Bureau accredited business.
These are some of GAF’s most popular shingles in the market:
Royal Sovereign 3-Tab Shingles
- 25-year limited transferable warranty
- Can withstand winds of up to 60 MPH
- Color Lock Ceramic Firing helps maintain the original color
- StainGuard Protection to fight against algae stains
- Class A fire rating
- Micro Weave Core offers a strong foundation
- The lifespan of up to 25 years
- 3-tab asphalt roof shingles
Timberline AS II Shingles
- Offers limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH
- Advanced protection shingle with GAF Dura Grip Adhesive
- StainGuard Protection to fight against algae stains
- Class A fire rating
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Impact-rated for extreme weather
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
Timberline CS Architectural Shingles
- Offers limited lifetime warranty
- Can withstand winds up to 130 MPH
- Advanced protection shingle with GAF Dura Grip Adhesive
- StainGuard Protection to fight against algae stains
- Class A fire rating
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Highly reflective shingles help reduce the temperature in the attic
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
Timberline UHD Asphalt Shingles
- Offers limited transferable lifetime warranty
- Up to 53% thicker than standard architectural shingles
- Can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH
- Advanced protection shingle with GAF Dura Grip Adhesive
- These shingles have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval
- StainGuard Protection to fight against algae stains
- Class A fire rating
- The lifespan of up to 50 years
- Architectural asphalt roof shingles
Insurance Claim for Roof Replacement
Should your current roof have wind or storm damage to the asphalt roof shingles, you will likely qualify for an insurance claim to replace your roof. Insurance claims can be a headache, so we always recommend finding a roofing contractor specializing in insurance claims, like Signature Exteriors. Working with a seasoned contractor reduces the stress of the insurance claim off your shoulders, and you can focus on the fun parts, like choosing your shingle color! Our insurance specialists are happy to assist you with filing a claim and will be there throughout the project to ensure that your insurance is paying out fairly to return your roof to its pre-loss condition.
This article provides you with four of the most popular shingles from our recommended asphalt roofing shingle manufacturers. If you are still unsure of what route to take when picking a shingle type or you’re stuck on what shingle color would look best on your home, reach out to Signature Exteriors for a free inspection today. We will work with you and help you choose the best shingle for your home. Give us a call at (704) 729-4898 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today.
Should you schedule regular roof inspections? Regardless of the material you choose, regular roof inspections are crucial for maintaining the longevity and performance of your commercial roof. These inspections can help identify minor issues before they become major problems, potentially saving you money on repairs down the road.