You may be considering asphalt because it is the material used for the majority of residential roofs. The number of manufacturers of asphalt shingles, on the other hand, may surprise you. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t be alone.
The question most homeowners have while shopping for asphalt shingles is, “Who makes the best shingles?” The fact is that there is no clear winner when it comes to roofing shingle brands. But there are a few that really stand out to roofing professionals and provide more options for homeowners like you to get the exact look you desire for your roof.
For this reason, we’ll be recommending some excellent makes of roofing shingles. The Roof Doctor has been assisting North California area residents in getting the beautiful roofs they deserve without breaking the bank since 1987. We will provide you with everything you need to know to make the best choice. By the end of this piece, you will know the top five shingle brands and why.
The Top Five Shingle Brands
Your choice of replacement roofing material will have far-reaching consequences for the work involved. It affects the price, how it’s installed, what kind of guarantees are available, and more. Listed below are some of the best products out there, and there is no particular order to the names.
- CertainTeed
Since its founding in 1904, they have been at the forefront of creating environmentally friendly roofing, insulation, and siding solutions. CertainTeed is your go-to supplier when it comes to roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum, and ceilings.
The three different kinds of asphalt shingles they carry are available in a wide range of aesthetic options for residential roofs. Any style or color you can imagine is available from CertainTeed.
Grand Manor premium shingles are available in eight different shades for those interested in simulating slate. If you get an entire roof system installed with architectural or luxury shingles from a CertainTeed-certified roofing contractor, you’ll be eligible for their non-prorated enhanced warranty.
This is a lifetime transferrable warranty that covers your roofing materials for 50 years. Their Landmark asphalt shingles come in a wide range of colors and weights and have the dimensionality of wood shake.
Need a stylish roof over your head? Their Grand Manor shingle will offer your house a sophisticated, classic appearance. The triple bottom line of outstanding performance, low cost to homeowners, and decreased environmental impacts are at the heart of Certainteed’s dedication to sustainability.
They offer a non-Prorated Warranty Period of 5 to 10 years, depending on the product and the installer. Their top Performance Shingle Line is the Presidential Shake® IR, while the cheapest is the XT™ 25. Their most popular Shingle Line is the Landmark®.
CertainTeed covers you whether you need a roof for your home or business, from asphalt shingles and accessories to SBS-modified bitumen roofing systems. They produce solar roofing materials, vinyl siding, sheathing materials, insulation, and a wide range of other items.
Perhaps more so than any of the other major shingle producers, CertainTeed enjoys an exceptional reputation. As a result, they have built up a contractor clientele that is incredibly dedicated to them.
Roofing companies have been utilizing CertainTeed shingles for decades; many of them insist on using them and would gladly tell you why.
- GAF
When it comes to asphalt shingles, GAF is at the top of the game and the market leader in North America. One in four American homes has a GAF roof, a company that has been in business since 1886.
GAF is widely recognized as a leading manufacturer of high-quality roofing products for both commercial and private use. GAF’s Timberline Roofing Shingles are among the most widely used asphalt shingles in the United States.
GAF’s Timberline was the first of its kind, an architectural asphalt shingle. They have superior 3-tab, designer, and architectural shingles for your roof. Try the Timberline HDZ shingles, which feature the broadest nail zone in the industry, if you live in a high-wind area.
GAF’s Timberline collection of architectural asphalt shingles was the first of its kind, and it quickly became the standard that other shingle manufacturers aspired to meet. They also offer a non-prorated warranty period of 10, 20, or 50 years.
GAF created the Certified Green Roofer program to educate contractors on the importance of recycling asphalt shingles and to inspire widespread adoption of this practice. Their top Performance Shingle Line is the AS II Duration® FLEX®, while the cheapest is the Royal Sovereign®. Their most popular Shingle Line is the Timberline®.
GAF manufactures asphalt shingles, and asphalt shingle roofing accessories, real slate roofing, solar roofing products, roll roofing, ventilation products, TPO and PVC single-ply low-slope roof systems, SBS and APP modified bitumen, a selection of roof coatings, fiber-cement siding, among other roofing and siding products for homes and businesses.
Considering their longevity in the industry and the number of shingles they’ve sold, it’s safe to assume that GAF knows what they’re doing. You can trust that you’ll acquire a product of reasonable quality from any of the companies on this list.
- Owens Corning
Owens Corning is a global supplier of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. They provide asphalt shingles in three styles for residential roofing: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury.
Corning has five distinct lines of architectural asphalt shingles, so you may choose the perfect style and shade for your home. In addition to being one of the best shingle producers in the world, Owens Corning is also a global leader in 33 different markets.
Regardless of your roofing needs or price range, Owens Corning has you covered with its extensive selection of shingles. The asphalt shingles from the Oakridge and Duration lines are particularly well-liked for their aesthetic quality.
There are Energy Star-approved products available in each series. Owens Corning is dedicated to sustainability; thus, every year, it releases a report detailing its achievements in these areas and others, such as environmental protection, social responsibility, and good corporate governance.
Their top Performance Shingle Line is the Duration® FLEX®, while the cheapest Shingle Line is the Supreme®. Their most popular Shingle Line is the TruDefinition® Duration®. Owens Corning provides one of the best material warranties in the business because it is so confident in the quality of its products.
Depending on the product and installer, they offer a non-prorated warranty period of 10 to 50 years. Owens Corning will provide a 50-year, non-prorated warranty if you use an Owens Corning-certified roofing contractor and their roofing materials.
The cost of labor to fix or replace damaged components is covered for the entire 50 years. Owens Corning manufactures asphalt shingles and asphalt shingle roofing components for residential use. Although they create a wide range of fiberglass composite construction materials, Owens Corning is perhaps best recognized as a leading global maker of building insulation.
- Atlas
Atlas was founded in 1982 with the goal of promoting these values within the roofing industry: Accountability, Talent, Leadership, Agility, and Sustainability.
Their goal is to provide something that is fresh, original, cutting-edge, and easily accessible. If you live in an area that frequently experiences severe storms, you should consider investing in Atlas’ StormMaster shingles.
These shingles are built to withstand the elements, including high winds, low temperatures, and impact. Atlas has a comprehensive eight-point environmental policy statement outlining the company’s dedication to environmental regulation compliance and best practices throughout its operations.
Atlas is known for producing durable roofing and building materials. Among the asphalt shingles they stock are 3-tab, architectural, and high-end varieties. You can customize the look of your roof by choosing from among five distinct types of architectural shingles available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
However, Atlas’s scotch guard treatment, which they have patented, sets them differently. All Atlas shingles, including the StormMaster Shake, StormMaster Slate, and Pinnacle Pristine, are guaranteed against streaking for the original owner’s lifetime. In addition, when you purchase a full roofing system, you will receive a lifetime warranty on the materials used in the roof.
- IKO
IKO, originally founded in Eastern Canada in 1951, now operates facilities in both North America and Europe. They ship asphalt shingles to 96 countries, making them the largest exporter of their kind in the world. Asphalt shingles from IKO are available in a wide price range.
In North America, IKO factories produce three varieties of asphalt shingles: 3-tab, architectural laminated, and premium shingles. High-quality ice and water shields, underlayments, hip and ridge cap shingles, starter strips, and rigid polyisocyanurate (ISO) insulation boards are some of the market’s IKO accessory goods.
Commercial roofing is IKO’s area of expertise in North America; the company produces everything from mechanically attached to heat-welded (APP and SBS), cold-applied membranes, and built-up roofing (BUR). Thermal insulation, air/vapor barriers, overlay and cover boards, adhesives, primers, and other accessories for the building envelope are also made in-house.
Their top Performance Shingle Line is the Nordic™, while the cheapest Shingle Line is the Marathon™ Plus AR. Their most popular Shingle Line is the Cambridge®. Low-slope modified bitumen and built-up roof systems, insulation, cover board, and other low-slope roofing accessories are all items that IKO manufactures for residential and commercial roofing markets.
Comparing IKO’s product lines to those of other manufacturers reveals that it offers a more cost-effective option for high-quality shingles. IKO shingles have consistently performed well and have been included on Consumer Reports’ annual list of the finest shingles.
Find a great roofing contractor by asking the right questions
You have gained an understanding of the five best shingle manufacturers. There is no “best” brand of shingles for your roof; they are all equally good and depend on a variety of factors, including your preferences, budget, and availability.
Make sure the roofing company you pick has certification from all 5 manufacturers to get the best warranty. As a result, it is important to verify a prospective roofing company’s credentials carefully.
That, however, is only one of many questions you should ask a prospective roofing contractor before employing them. Some questions you can ask include:
- Do you hold a valid license?
- Do you have insurance?
- Do you plan on using any outside help?
- Do you have an actual office where people work or another phone number I can call if this one doesn’t work?
- Could I get some sort of warranty from you?
- Are you planning on getting a new roof installed?
- What would your price quote be? Will you provide one?
