CertainTeed

Pros & Cons of CertainTeed Shingles – Costs – Unbiased CertainTeed Roofing Reviews

It is generally agreed that CertainTeed’s shingle quality is at or near the top of all fiberglass (fiberglass-reinforced mat that serves as a base for asphalt composition shingle) shingle brands.

Certainteed Grand Manor Shingles Roof in Colonial Slate
via Pro Home 1

CertainTeed’s large selection of available asphalt shingle products includes the most luxury roofing shingle lines of any brand, plus the mid-grade architectural or dimensional shingles, and the basic 3-tab or strip shingles.

CertainTeed’s Grand Manor and Presidential Shake products are prime examples of Premium roofing shingles that have enhanced depth and differentiated appearance.

CertainTeed’s Landmark PRO roofing shingles are an example of a traditional architectural shingle designed to appear fuller and more dimensional compared to the flattish-looking 3-tab shingle. Dimensional shingles are also thicker and heavier than the basic 3-tab strip shingles.

Did you know? CertainTeed is a heavyweight brand – literally. Its shingles contain more asphalt than most.

CertainTeed shingles, even the 3-tab strip shingles, weigh 200-plus pounds per square. Most weigh 250-480lbs per square. More weight means better durability (and impact resistance).

Other brands’ shingles weigh 160-280lbs per roofing square.

But what about the price? It’s not a secret that all, CertainTeed is the most expensive brand overall. It sometimes denies warranty claims, though that’s a common complaint about all shingle brands.

Are CertainTeed Shingles Your Best Shingle Option?

Anyone researching shingles will find a lot of praise for CertainTeed roofing, along with a few horror stories.

This in-depth review provides unbiased information to help you make a well-educated buying decision.

Information in this guide is based on the perspectives of roofing contractors who install a wide range of products from different asphalt shingle brands, home inspectors that regularly check CertainTeed shingle and other roofs for potential problems, and homeowners who have lived beneath these shingles for years.

Read more

Asphalt Roofing Shingles: Costs, Pros & Cons – The Ultimate Guide

Asphalt shingles still dominate the US roofing industry, accounting for more than 70% of all residential, sloped roofs including new construction and replacements. That’s probably why you’re here – asphalt shingles are on the short list of materials you’re considering for your home, garage, or business.

Need a Roofer? Get 4 Free Quotes From Local Pros:

Enter Your Zip Code:

GAF Timberline HD Birchwood Architectural Asphalt Shingles on a Cross-Cable Roof with two dormers
Source: GAF

However, not all asphalt shingle roofing products are created equal. This guide will help you:

  • Understand the main types of asphalt shingles
  • Compare top products and brands from most popular manufacturers
  • Ultimately choose the best asphalt shingle type and style for your home

What are Asphalt Shingles?

There are many reasons for the popularity of asphalt shingles, and we’ll cover them in the pros and cons section, but the main reasons are low cost and ease of installation – the combination of low cost and fairly decent durability and longevity.

Did you know? The longevity of any asphalt shingle product is determined by the shingle thickness and quality of construction. More on that below:

Composition of a modern asphalt shingle:

  1. Fiberglass mat: The core of today’s durable asphalt shingles is fiberglass mat. This material is chosen because it is lightweight, resists tearing, and holds asphalt very well.
  2. Asphalt: The fiberglass mat is run through a saturator tank where the glass fibers are thoroughly coated with hot asphalt, a petroleum-based material used for its strong resistance to moisture. The weight and toughness of the asphalt is useful for wind and impact resistance.
  3. Mineral granules: The part of the asphalt shingle that will be exposed to the elements is coated with mineral granules that are available in a wide range of colors.

    Shingles can be given a single color to produce a solid-color shingle or a blend of colored granules for a more nuanced look.

    The ceramic-coated granules also reflect the UV rays of the sun – the single worst threat to shingles.

  4. Sealant strips: Continuous or intermittent lines of raw asphalt are applied to the top part of each shingle that will be covered by the next layer installed. The sealant strip bonds the shingles together once they heat up in sun and warmth.

Note: If you come across a discussion of organic shingles in your research, the information is likely quite old or encyclopedic. Organic shingles didn’t perform up to expectations, so most manufacturers stopped making them in 2008.

Did you know? The sunnier a climate is, the shorter the lifespan of the average shingle will be. One of the ways to extend the lifespan of an asphalt roof in a sunny climate such as Florida, Arizona, Texas, is to opt for a solar-reflective, light colored shingles designed to reflect solar radiant heat and UV radiation.

New Shingle Roof

$7,500
Average price
New Metal Roof

$14,500
Average price
New Flat Roof

$8,225
Average price

See costs in your area Enter Your Zip Code

Read more