Re-Roofing

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

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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.

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Average Cost to Replace a Roof on a 1,600 Square Foot House

A 1,600 square foot roof is typically found on a single-story home with a rectangular or square floor plan. However, the exact size and shape of the roof will depend on the design of the house. For example, a 1,600 square foot ranch-style home with a simple gable roof may have a roof with an 1,800 square foot area. On the other hand, a two-story home with a more complex roof design may have a smaller roof with a 1,200 to 1,600 square foot area, but one that will cost more to replace due to the complexity of a roof design.

IKO Nordic shingles roof
IKO Nordic shingles roof

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When it comes to the cost of roof replacement, the type of house and roof design can have a significant impact. For instance, a house with a flat or low-slope roof may require a different type of roofing material, such as a single-ply membrane or rubber roofing system, which can be more expensive than traditional shingles. Additionally, the pitch or slope of the roof can affect the installation process, with steeper roofs requiring additional safety measures and potentially driving up labor and installation costs.

Here are some examples of how different types of houses and roof types can impact the cost of a roof replacement:

  • Ranch-style home with a gable roof: A simple gable roof on a ranch-style home with a 1,600 square foot area may cost between $7,000 and $12,000 to replace with asphalt shingles, depending on factors such as location, number of existing layers of shingles, and roof slope.
  • Two-story colonial with a hip roof: A two-story colonial with a hip roof, which has four sloping sides, may cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to replace with traditional shingles, depending on the size and complexity of the roof.
  • Modern-style home with a flat roof: A modern-style home with a flat roof may require a more expensive roofing material, such as a PVC or TPO membrane or EPDM rubber roofing system, which can increase the cost of a roof replacement to between $12,000 and $20,000. depending upon the condition of the roof and your home’s location.
  • Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof: A Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof design may require additional labor and materials, such as copper flashing or slate tiles, which can drive up the cost of a roof replacement to between $25,000 and $40,000 or more.

Average Roof Replacement Cost:

Low End

$7,500

Mid-Range

$10,500

High End

$14,500

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It’s important to note that these are just examples, and the cost of a roof replacement will depend on many factors specific to each home and roof. Homeowners should always obtain several quotes from reputable roofing contractors to get a better idea of the cost for their specific situation.

  • Three-tab shingles: Typically cost between $4.00 to $5.50 per square foot to install, depending on the condition of the roof and your home’s location. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $6,400 and $8,800. These shingles are a good option for homeowners who are looking for an affordable, basic option that still provides adequate protection for their roof. They have a flat, uniform appearance and come in a range of colors.
  • Architectural shingles: Generally cost between $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot to install, depending on project scope and location. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $7,200 and $12,000. These shingles are a step up from three-tab shingles in terms of quality and durability. They have a three-dimensional appearance and are available in a wider range of styles and colors. They are a good choice for homeowners who want a more attractive roof without breaking the bank.
  • Premium shingles: Usually cost between $6.50 to $11.00 per square foot to install. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $10,400 and $17,600. These shingles are the highest quality and offer the best durability and performance. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, and may even be designed to mimic the appearance of other materials like slate or wood. Premium shingles are a good choice for homeowners who want to achieve a distinctive curb appeal and are willing to invest in a long-lasting, high-quality roofing system.

*Note the above examples are for a 1,600 square foot roof, while a 1,600 square foot home can have a roof with an area between 1,000 and 1,900 square feet. Roof design and number of stories determine the overall difficulty of the roof, and its size. The cost is more a factor of difficulty and roof complexity rather than the square footage of the roof alone.

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Roof Financing – How to Pay for a New Roof – The Ultimate Guide

When the time comes, replacing your roof is a big, important, investment. Since a new roof can cost $10,000 or more, paying cash is not an option for most homeowners. Financing, by taking out a home equity line of credit or a home improvement loan, is how most homeowners pay for the roof they need.

A new asphalt shingle roof with PV solar panels
New Shingle Roof

$7,500
Average price
New Metal Roof

$14,500
Average price
New Flat Roof

$8,225
Average price

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A line of credit or a loan allows a homeowner to pay in installments spread out over time, which is easier to handle than an upfront cash payment in full. This guide will help you sort out the different types of home renovation loans so you can find the one that best meets your needs.

The first step is to contact at least three licensed contractors to discuss your roofing options and to get estimates on the cost of a new roof. Knowing how much your new roof will cost will help determine which type of financing works best for you.

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)

HELOCs are revolving credit lines that typically come with variable interest rates. Your monthly payment amount will depend on the current interest rates and your loan balance.

HELOCs are very similar to credit cards, except the rates are generally significantly lower because your home serves as a collateral, whereas credit cards are considered a form of unsecured debt (with some of the debt often becoming uncollectable for Credit Card companies, hence requiring high interest rates) with much higher interest rates.

Once, you are approved for a certain HELOC amount, you can then draw any amount, at any time, up to your credit limit. You can pay the loan down or off at will.

HELOCs have two phases. During the draw period, you use the line of credit as needed, and your minimum payment may cover only the interest due for that month.

However, eventually, usually after ten years, the HELOCs draw period ends and your loan enters the repayment phase. At this point, you can no longer draw funds and the loan becomes fully amortized for the remaining years.

HELOCs offer low closing costs and are very convenient. They offer low monthly payments during the draw period. The downside of these loans is that they use variable interest rates, meaning the interest rate can rise in tandem with the Federal Reserve’s prime rate.

Also, your monthly payments can significantly increase once the repayment phase begins and you begin paying both the interest and the principle on the loan.

Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage

You might be able to use your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover the cost of a new roof. Many homeowners’ insurance policies also include roof replacement insurance, and hence will cover roof replacement if the roof was severely damaged by fire, wind, or hail. However, if your roof degraded due to age and general wear-and-tear and/or due to a lack of maintenance (no roof cleaning, allowing moss outgrowth, not dealing with issues like loose shingles in time, etc.), the insurance company won’t cover the replacement. One thing to consider is that making a claim on your insurance will, most likely, raise your premium in the future.

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